Ecology Unit

Biology

The natural science that studies life and living organisms

Environmental science

An interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and natural sciences to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems

3 Goals of Environmental Science

To learn how the natural world works, to understand how humans interact with the environment and identify problems that arise, to find ways to deal with problems and have more sustainibility.

Sustainability

Ability of earthś various systems, including human cultural systems and economies, to survive and adapt to changing environmental conditions indefinitely.

3 Principles of Sustainability

Dependence on solar energy

Biodiversity (different types of life)

Recycling of materials and chemical compounds

Ecology

The scientific study of how living organisms interact with each other and with their physical environment

Levels of Organization

Atom, Molecule, Organelle, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ system, Organism

Abiotic factors

Non-living factors in the environment which have an effect on organisms or populations of organisms

Biotic Factors

Living factors in the environment which have an effect on organisms or populations of organisms

Competiton

Organisms that use the same resources at the same time or place

(Interspecific-different species, Intraspecific-same species)

Predation/Herbation

Interaction of one organism hunts, kills, and eats on another organism

Symbiosis

Two species living closely together and having an interaction or effect on the other than competition or predation

Mutualism

Both species benefit from each other

Commensalism

One member benefits but the other is not benefited or harmed (neutral)

Parasitism

One organisms lives in or on another organism and harms or kills it

Food Chain

One way pathway of energy and materials in an ecosystem

Food Web

Links all the possible food chains in an ecosystem together

Producers/Autotrophs

Make their own food from sunlight (photosynthesis) or organic chemical reactions (chemosynthesis)

Consumers/Heterotrophs

Depend on eating other organisms for food

Decomposers

Break down organic material into the base material

Herbivore

Animals that only eat plants-first level consumers

Carnivore

Animals that only eat meat-second level consumers

Omnivore

Eats both plants and animals

Trophic levels

All steps or levels of the food chain

Scientific Method

a systematic and logical approach to problem-solving and acquiring knowledge through observation, hypothesis testing, and experimental validation

Independent Variable

A factor in an experiment that changes

Dependent Variable

The factor that you effect or measure

Controls

A component or group kept unchanged or normal so researchers have a benchmark for comparison.

Constant

The things that remain the same through an experiment

What caused algae growth in ponds?

excessive nitrogen and phosphorus

Monarchs vs. Viceroy (mimicry)

How can you tell them apart?

you can tell them apart by a distinct black line across the Viceroy's hind wings

Biodiversity

the total variety of all life on Earth, encompassing all living organisms, their genetic differences, and the ecosystems they form.

relationship between Biodiversity and Stability of an ecosystem:

higher biodiversity creates a more stable ecosystem