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Ecology

Ecology. Explanation of each level of organization. The environment can be organized into 5 levels. Individual/Organism. First level: An organism is an individual living thing, such as an alligator. Organisms are members of the same species Can reproduce

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Ecology

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  1. Ecology Explanation of each level of organization

  2. The environment can be organized into 5 levels

  3. Individual/Organism • First level: • An organism is an individual living thing, such as an alligator. • Organisms are members of the same species • Can reproduce • Can be found in different locations Organism

  4. Individual/Organism • Each organism has a special role within their environment • This is called their niche • What it does, what it eats, who eats it, where it lives, how much resources it uses, how much waste it produces, etc. • It is not limited to its place in the food web • Generally, no two species will share the same niche

  5. Population • Second level: • A population is a group of the same species that lives in one area. • What can cause populations to change? Population Organism

  6. Population • Species that live in the same area, there are boundaries • The boundary defines the group • Example the population of Union Beach is different than the population of Keyport • Same species can belong to different populations

  7. Population • Patterns may form in populations due to space and time • Members of a population settle themselves into the available space • Organisms must be able to reach their needs – food, water and living space • Different organisms meet their needs in different ways so space may vary

  8. Population • Numbers in population may rise and fall over time • Change can depend on the season • Migration – animals leaving the area during season change • Reproduction – timing and birth rate which may be determined by the ecosystem • Limiting Factors – limits the growth of a population • Predator/Prey relationship • Large population of predators will limit the amount of prey • Too much or too little of biotic or abiotic factors will make an ecosystem unstable

  9. Population • Needs (food, water and living space) MUST be met • Carrying capacity the largest population an ecosystem can support • The maximum amount of individuals that can be supported • Different for each population, will dependon the limiting factors

  10. Community • Third level: • A community is a group of different species that live together in one area. Community Population Organism

  11. Community • Different species living in the same area, working together • Habitat – the physical location where these populations live • Filled with different species • Characteristics of the habitat will determine which species live there

  12. Ecosystem • Fourth level: • An ecosystem includes all of the biotic (living) and abiotic (never-living) factors Ecosystem Community Population Organism

  13. Ecosystem • Different organisms interact with each other in an ecosystem • How they “share” resources • Predator and prey • Competition • Cooperation • How they get along – symbiosis • Mutualism • Commensalism • Parasitism

  14. Ecosystem • Shared resources – Predator/Prey • Another way to look at the food chain – • Predator - an animal that eats another • Prey – an animal that is eaten • In the food chain you can be both predator or prey depending on you spot • The predator/prey relationship can affect the population of an ecosystem • Example: if there is not enough prey the predator will not be able to eat and will start to die off

  15. Ecosystem • Shared resources – Competition • Struggle between individuals or different populations for a limited resource • Can occur between same species • Example: the creosote bush competes for water with other creosote bushes. Toxins are produced by the roots to prevent other bushes from growing • Can occur between different species for light, water and living space • Example: In the rain forest, vines will grow up a tree competing for light and water. The vine eventually kills the tree

  16. Ecosystem • Shared resources – Cooperation • An interaction in which organisms work in a way that benefits all • Work together for a common goal • Pod • Herds • Colonies • Packs

  17. Ecosystem • Symbiosis – the relationship between two different species who live together in a close relationship • Literal meaning “living together” • May affect the partner in different ways • Mutualism – both species benefit • Commensalism – one species benefits while the other is not affected • Parasitism – one species benefits while the other is harmed

  18. Ecosystem • Mutualism – interaction that is good for both • Bees and flowers • Rhino and bird • Clown fish and anemone

  19. Ecosystem • Commensalism –one species benefits while the other is not affected • Bird and a tree • Sharks and remoras • White elephants and egrets

  20. Ecosystem • Parasitism – one species benefits while the other is harmed; smaller species will harm the host; parasites • Tick and animal • Termites and trees

  21. Biome Biome • Fifth level: • A biome is a major regional or global community of organisms characterized by the climate conditions and plant communities that thrive there. Ecosystem Community Population Organism

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