Ecological Principles Part I PaCES/HIMB Summer Program in Environmental Science David A. Krupp, Ph.D...

Ecological PrinciplesEcological Principles

Part IPart I

PaCES/HIMB Summer Program in Environmental ScienceDavid A. Krupp, Ph.D

PaCES/HIMB Summer Program in Environmental ScienceDavid A. Krupp, Ph.D

Topics to be StudiedTopics to be Studied Define “ecology” and describe its

scope Define essential terms Contrast biotic and abiotic factors Physiological limits and abiotic

factors Biomes Population characteristics Population growth

Define “ecology” and describe its scope

Define essential terms Contrast biotic and abiotic factors Physiological limits and abiotic

factors Biomes Population characteristics Population growth

EcologyEcology Ecology = the study of the interaction

of organisms with their environments. It involves understanding biotic and

abiotic factors influencing the distribution and abundance of living things.

The word "ecology" coined from Greek word "oikos", which means "house" or "place to live”.

Ecology = the study of the interaction of organisms with their environments.

It involves understanding biotic and abiotic factors influencing the distribution and abundance of living things.

The word "ecology" coined from Greek word "oikos", which means "house" or "place to live”.

The Scope of EcologyThe Scope of Ecology Population growth Competition between species Symbiotic relationships Trophic (= feeding) relationships Origin of biological diversity Interaction with the physical

environment Ecosystem change Human impacts on the environment

Population growth Competition between species Symbiotic relationships Trophic (= feeding) relationships Origin of biological diversity Interaction with the physical

environment Ecosystem change Human impacts on the environment

Some Important TermsSome Important Terms

Population A collection of individuals all

belonging to the same species in a defined area and time

Community A group of interacting populations in a

defined area and time

Population A collection of individuals all

belonging to the same species in a defined area and time

Community A group of interacting populations in a

defined area and time

Some Important TermsSome Important Terms

Ecosystem A system composed of the biological

community interacting with its surrounding abiotic environment

Biosphere The entire portion of the Earth in

which life occurs; all of the ecosystems of the Earth combined

Ecosystem A system composed of the biological

community interacting with its surrounding abiotic environment

Biosphere The entire portion of the Earth in

which life occurs; all of the ecosystems of the Earth combined

Biotic FactorsBiotic Factors Dispersal Behavior Species interactions Competition for common resources Predator-prey relationships Symbiotic associations

Dispersal Behavior Species interactions Competition for common resources Predator-prey relationships Symbiotic associations

Abiotic FactorsAbiotic Factors Temperature Water Light Salinity Wind Currents Substrate

Temperature Water Light Salinity Wind Currents Substrate

environmental gradientenvironmental gradient

Physiological LimitsPhysiological Limits

zone of tolerancezone of tolerance


zones of intolerancezones of intolerance


optimum rangeoptimum range


zones of physiological stresszones of physiological stress


BiomesBiomes Biomes = major types of ecological

assemblages that occupy broad geographic regions of land or water

Aquatic biomes: primarily influenced by depth (light) and temperature

Terrestrial biomes: primarily influenced by temperature and balance between precipitation and evaporation

Biomes = major types of ecological assemblages that occupy broad geographic regions of land or water

Aquatic biomes: primarily influenced by depth (light) and temperature

Terrestrial biomes: primarily influenced by temperature and balance between precipitation and evaporation

Aquatic Biomes: LakesAquatic Biomes: Lakes

oligotrophicoligotrophic eutrophiceutrophic

Aquatic Biomes: WetlandsAquatic Biomes: Wetlands

Aquatic Biomes: Streams and Rivers

Aquatic Biomes: Streams and Rivers

Aquatic Biomes: EstuariesAquatic Biomes: Estuaries

Aquatic Biomes: IntertidalAquatic Biomes: Intertidal

Aquatic Biomes: Oceanic Pelagic Biome

Aquatic Biomes: Oceanic Pelagic Biome

Aquatic Biomes: Coral ReefsAquatic Biomes: Coral Reefs

Aquatic Biomes: Marine Benthic Zone

Aquatic Biomes: Marine Benthic Zone

Terrestrial BiomesTerrestrial Biomes

Terrestrial Biomes: Tropical Forests

Terrestrial Biomes: Tropical Forests

Terrestrial Biomes: DesertsTerrestrial Biomes: Deserts

Terrestrial Biomes: SavannaTerrestrial Biomes: Savanna

Terrestrial Biomes: Chaparral

Terrestrial Biomes: Chaparral

Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Grasslands

Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Grasslands

Terrestrial Biomes: Coniferous Forest

Terrestrial Biomes: Coniferous Forest

Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Broadleaf Forest

Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Broadleaf Forest

Terrestrial Biomes: TundraTerrestrial Biomes: Tundra

Population CharacteristicsPopulation Characteristics Size and density Dispersion Survivorship Population growth Population age structures

Size and density Dispersion Survivorship Population growth Population age structures

DensityDensityNumber of individuals per unit area, per

volume or unit of habitat.Number of individuals per unit area, per

volume or unit of habitat.

5 individuals/m25 individuals/m2 15 individuals/m215 individuals/m2

Dispersion PatternsDispersion Patterns

RandomRandom


ClumpedClumped


UniformUniform

GenerationGeneration

123456789

10

123456789

10

Population SizePopulation Size

1248

163264

128256512

1248

163264

128256512

Population GrowthPopulation Growth

Pop

ulat

ion

Siz

eP

opul

atio

n S

ize

00

100100

200200

300300

400400

500500

600600

00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1010 1111 1212

GenerationGeneration

Exponential Population Growth

Exponential Population Growth


Population Size(N)

Population Size(N)

BirthsBirths DeathsDeaths

ImmigrationImmigration

EmigrationEmigration


N/t = B - DN/t = B - D

dN/dt = bN - mNdN/dt = bN - mN

dN/dt = (b - m)N = rNdN/dt = (b - m)N = rN

r = b - mr = b - m

b = per capita birth ratem = per capita mortality rateb = per capita birth ratem = per capita mortality rate

dN/dt = instantaneous rate of population increase

dN/dt = instantaneous rate of population increase


dN/dt = rNdN/dt = rN

r = per capita rate of increaser = per capita rate of increase

dN/dt = rmaxNdN/dt = rmaxN

rmax = optimal per capita rate of increasermax = optimal per capita rate of increase

Under Optimal ConditionsUnder Optimal Conditions

Effects of Different Intrinsic Growth Rates (r)

Effects of Different Intrinsic Growth Rates (r)

rmax = 1.0rmax = 1.0rmax = 0.5rmax = 0.5

Density-Dependent Growth: The Logistic Growth ModelDensity-Dependent Growth: The Logistic Growth Model

€

dNdt

=rN 1−NK

⎛

⎝ ⎜

⎞

⎠ ⎟


A Paramecium population in the labA Paramecium population in the lab


A Daphnia population in the labA Daphnia population in the lab


A sparrow in its natural habitatA sparrow in its natural habitat

Density-Dependent FactorsDensity-Dependent Factors limiting resources (e.g., food &

shelter) territoriality production of toxic wastes infectious diseases predation stress and other intrinsic factors emigration

limiting resources (e.g., food & shelter)

territoriality production of toxic wastes infectious diseases predation stress and other intrinsic factors emigration

Density-Independent FactorsDensity-Independent Factors severe storms and flooding sudden unpredictable severe cold

spells earthquakes and volcanoes catastrophic meteorite impacts

severe storms and flooding sudden unpredictable severe cold

spells earthquakes and volcanoes catastrophic meteorite impacts

Ecological Principles Part I PaCES/HIMB Summer Program in Environmental Science David A. Krupp, Ph.D...

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