CHAPTER 2 - Ecological Principles and Concepts

Ecology

It is the scientific study of interactions between different organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings

Biological Diversity

Variability among living organisms from all sources including, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part of

Biological Diversity

diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems

Genetic Diversity

encompasses the components of the genetic coding that structures organisms (nucleotides, genes, chromosomes) and variation in the genetic make-up between individuals within a population and between populations.

Genetic Diversity

this is the raw material on which evolutionary processes act on

Populations, Genes, Individuals, Nucleotides, Chromosomes

In building blocks. genetic diversity (5)

Genome size

the most basic measure of genetic diversity is ______ ____— the amount of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in one copy of a species' chromosomes

3.5 pg

humans have a genome size of _____ (3.4 billion base pairs)

genetic composition

the differences in _______ ____________ of species give us indications of their relatedness and thus important information as to how the history and variety of life developed

Organismal Diversity

measures of it thus include some of the most familiar expressions of biodiversity, such as the numbers of species (i.e. species richness).

Domains or Kingdoms, Species, Phyla, Subspecies, Families, Populations, Genera, Individuals

in building blocks. organismal diversity (8)

Ecological Diversity

this is an important dimension to biodiversity not readily captured by genetic or organismal diversity, and in many ways is that which is most immediately apparent to us, giving the structure of the natural and semi- natural world in which we live

Biogeographic realms, Ecosystems, Biomes, Habitats, Provinces, Populations, Ecoregions

in building blocks. ecological diversity (7)

Species

in ecological organization. Group of organisms so similar to another that they can breed and produce fertile offspring.

Population

in ecological organization. A group of individuals of a single species living together within a particular geographic area. They interbreed and compete with each other for resources.

Community

in ecological organization. Different populations that live together in a defined area.

Ecosystem

in ecological organization. A collection of all organisms that live in a particular place together with their nonliving environment.

Biome

in ecological organization. A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities.

Biosphere

in ecological organization. The portion of earth that supports life is called the _____. The _____ extends several km up in the atmosphere to the deepest parts of the oceans.

Ecosystem

in ecological organization. The simplest definition of an _____ is that it is a community or group of living organisms that live in and interact with each other in a specific environment

Natural Ecosystem

type of ecosystem.

• Totally dependent on solar radiation

• e.g. forests, grasslands, oceans, lakes, rivers, and deserts.

• They provide food, fuel, fodder, and medicines.

Manmade Ecosystem

type of ecosystem.

• Dependent on solar energy

• e.g. agricultural fields and aquaculture ponds.

Ecosystem services

the multitude of benefits that nature provides to society.

Ecosystem services

makes human life possible by, for example, providing nutritious food and clean water, regulating disease and climate, supporting the pollination of crops and soil formation, and providing recreational, cultural and spiritual benefits.

Provisioning services

type of ecosystem service. goods that directly benefit people.

Regulating services

type of ecosystem service. Processes that moderate natural phenomena

Cultural Services

type of ecosystem service. A non-material benefit that contributes to people's intellectual, cultural and social development.

Supporting services

type of ecosystem service. indirect or very long-term impacts on people, but underlie other ecosystem services, particularly provisioning services.

Biotic and Abiotic factors

determine the survival and growth of an organism and the productivity of the ecosystem in which an organism lives.

Producers

Also called autotrophs

Photosynthesis

use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and carbohydrates. Remember: 6CO2 + 6H2O Light Energy 6O2 + C6H12O6

Consumers

Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply. Also called heterotrophs

Herbivores

obtain energy by eating only plants.

Carnivores

Eat only animals.

Omnivores

Eat plants and animals.

Decomposers

Breaks down dead organic

Food Chain

It is a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten. Arrows go in the direction of how energy is transferred. Start with producer and end with top consumer or carnivore

Grazing, Detritus

two types of food chain

Food Web

a detailed interconnecting diagram that shows the overall food relationships between organisms in a particular environment. It can be described as a "who eats whom" diagram that shows the complex feeding relationships for a particular ecosystem.

Energy Pyramid

also known as a trophic or ecological pyramid. is a graphical representation of the energy found within the trophic levels of an ecosystem.

Energy Pyramid

shows relative amount of energy available at each trophic level. Organisms in a trophic level use the available energy for life processes (such as growth, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, metabolism, etc.) and release some energy as heat.

heat

Remember: Every chemical process that happens in your body releases ____ as a byproduct (ex: burning calories).

Rule of 10

only about 10% of the available energy within a trophic level is transferred to the next higher trophic level.

Biomass Pyramid

shows the flow of energy between various levels. Producers and consumers make it up, which displays all their comparative masses at the same time.

Nutrient Cycling

The movement of nutrient elements through the various components of an ecosystem. Another name of ________ _______ is biogeochemical cycles

Carbon Cycle

describes the process in which carbon atoms continually travel from the atmosphere to the Earth and then back into the atmosphere.

− The global ______ _____ consists of following steps:

○ Photosynthesis

○ Respiration

○ Decomposition

○ Combustion

Nitrogen Cycle

refers to the cycle of nitrogen atoms through the living and non-living systems of Earth.

− is vital for life on Earth.

− Through the cycle, atmospheric nitrogen is converted to a form which plants can incorporate into new proteins.

− Five main process:

○ Nitrogen Fixation

○ Nitrification

○ Assimilation

○ Ammonification

○ Denitrification

Water Cycle

describes how water is exchanged (cycled) through Earth's land, ocean, and atmosphere.

− Process:

○ Evaporation

○ Condensation

○ Precipitation

Phosphorus Cycle

the circulation of phosphorus in various forms through nature.

Phosphorus

Of all the elements recycled in the biosphere, __________ is the scarcest and therefore the one most limiting in any given ecological system.

Ecological succession

the process by which the mix of species and habitat in an area changes over time. Gradually, these communities replace one another until a "climax community"—like a mature forest—is reached, or until a disturbance, like a fire, occurs.

Competition

Ecological Interaction Between Organisms. when two organisms of the same or different species attempt to use an ecological resource in the same place at the same time. − Ex: food, water, shelter

ecological niche

Ecological Interaction Between Organisms. the _____ involves both the place where an organism lives and the roles that an organism has in its habitat.

Predation

Ecological Interaction Between Organisms. One organism captures and feeds on another organism

Predator

one that does the killing

Prey

one that is the food

Symbiosis

Ecological Interaction Between Organisms. any relationship in which two species live closely together.

Mutualism

Ecological Interaction Between Organisms. both species benefit (WIN-WIN) Ex: insects and flowers

Commensalism

Ecological Interaction Between Organisms. One member of the association benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed (WIN- 0). Example: Barnacles on a whale

Parasitism

Ecological Interaction Between Organisms. one organisms lives on or inside another organism (host) and harms it. The parasite obtains all or part of its nutritional needs from the host. (WIN-LOSE). Example: fleas on a dog

Competitive Exclusion Principle

Two different species cannot occupy the same niche in the same place for very long.

habitat

the physical environment in which a species lives and to which it is adapted.