Ecology is the study of the distribution and abundance of organisms and their

interactions with their environment.

Ecologist’s study population processes

•Reproductive behavior

•Birth rates

•Death rates

•Migration

•Distribution

Interspecific interactions

•Predation

•Competition

•Parasitism

•Mutualism

Biogeochemical cyclesWater CycleCarbon CycleNitrogen Cycle

And apply ecology to natural resource management such

as wildlife management and habitat conservation.

Hierarchy of organization

Each level interacts with and influences other

levels

BiosphereEcosystemCommunityPopulation

Organism

A population includes all members of a species that live in one place at one time.

Human’s are experiencing a period of exponential growth

Why?

How could this be a problem?

Only 20% of the world’s population lives in developed countries.

Age structure is a good predictor of growth rate

How?

What does this map show?

Problems? Solutions?

What are the issues?

One thought...

• Make a bigger pie: Increase human productive capacities through technology and innovation.

• Put fewer forks on the table: Reduce numbers and expectations of people through such means as family planning and vegetarian diets.

• Teach better manners: Change the ways people interaction through improved planning and government to enhance social justice.

We live on an island

Your Ideas?

Ecology! ! ! ! ! Name_____________________

1. Ecology is the study of the ______________________ and _____________________ of

organisms and their ______________________ with their __________________________.

2. Ecologist’s study population processes: _____________________________________,

_______________________, _________________________, ______________________ and

__________________________.

3. ____________________________ interactions : __________________________,

_____________________, ________________________ and ___________________________

4. Biogeochemical cycles like the ______________ cycle, __________________ cycle

and the ___________________ cycle

5. And apply ecology to natural resource management such as

_________________________________ and _______________________________________.

6. Which one of these areas of study sound most interesting to you? Why?

7.

Hierarchy of organization

Each level interacts with and

influences other levels

8. A ____________________ includes all members of a species that live in one place at one time.

9. Human’s are experiencing a period of exponential growth. Why??? What is exponential growth?

10. How could this be a problem?

11. Only _________ of the world’s population lives in _______________________ countries.

12. Age structure is a good predictor of growth rate. How?

13. What does this map show?

14. Problems? Solutions? What are the issues?

15. One thought....1.

2.

3.

Your ideas?