Ecology & Environmental Science

Definitions….

• Ecology-the study of how organisms interact w/ each other & their physical environment

• Environmental science-adds the impact of humans

BiologicalOrganization

ecosystem

biome

More Vocabulary….

• Biotic-living– Ex:

• Abiotic-non-living– Ex:

Food Chains

decomposer

bacteria, fungi

ProducersConsumers-primary, secondary, tertiaryDecomposersWhat do the arrows indicate?

More vocab…

• Resources for life– ex:

• Niche-all aspects of an organisms existence that allow it to survive & reproduce– Life history, habitat, position in food chain, etc

Food Web

Food Webs

Trophic Levels

• Biomass is largest at producer level

• Energy is greatest at producer level

• # of organisms & energy decreases as you move up the pyramid

• 10% rule

SymbiosisA close, prolonged association between two or more different

organisms of different species • Predator –prey• Mutualism-both

organisms benefit– Bees & flowers– Ecoli & humans– Plants & nitrogen-

fixing bacteria

Symbiosis cont…..

• Commensalism-one organism benefits, the other is unaffected– Ex: birds & herbivores– Barnacles on whales– Epiphytes

• Parasitism-one benefits the other one is harmed– Host organism– Ex: tapeworms, fleas, ticks,

viruses

Recycling in the Environment

• Energy & matter must be recycled back into the environment or life would cease!!!

• Decomposers are vital to this process

• Important cycles are water, nitrogen, & carbon

Water Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria

DenitrifyingBacteria convert to N2