What is Ecology?

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What is Ecology?

• Interactions between organisms environment
• Interdisciplinary chemistry, physics, geology,
  math

Statistical model of roads built in tropical
rainforest by the year 2060
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Where does life exist?

• Geologic regions
• Atmosphere layer of gases
• Lithosphere land partof Earth (rock, soil,
  sand)
• Hydrosphere all Earths water

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• Biosphere
• All the spheres
• Portion of Earth that supports life
• How much of the Earth do you think this region
  takes up?

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2 types of factors influence organisms
environment

1. Abiotic nonliving elements (rain, wind, soil,
   temperature)
2. Biotic living factors

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Ecological Organization
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• Organism has all characteristics of life
• Population group of organisms living together
  at same time reproduce

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• Community several populations in same area at
  same time
• Ecosystem interactions between populations in
  a community abiotic elements in their
  surroundings
• Habitats
• Niches
• Species interactions

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Niche Habitat

• Habitat where organism lives out its life
• Includes abiotic biotic factors
• Not static

• Niche organisms role location in its
  environment to meet unique needs
• How organism
• Obtains food
• Finds shelter
• Reproduces
• Reduces competition

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Influences on Ecosystems
Can you think of any examples of things that
might influence a habitat?

• Natural human causes

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Examples
Natural Disasters a) Hurricane Katrina, 2005
Before After
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b) Volcanic Eruptions Mount St. Helens,
Washington State May, 1980
Before
After
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c) Weather patterns Regular extreme weather
conditions
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Predator-prey Relationships

• One organism seeksanother for food
• Maintains balance
• Prey species may benefit (? competition, ?
  food)
• Predator Strategies
• Ambush
• Camouflage

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• Prey Strategies
• 1. Defense
• Quick escape
• Predator detection

Nebraskan cockroach
Meerkat keeping watch
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1. Protective shells, bark, spines
2. Camouflage

Red-eared slider
Porcupine
Stick bug
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2. Chemical warfare poisons, odors, irritants,
unpleasant taste Organisms using this
strategy often have bright, warning colors 3.
Behavior mimicry, group size
Skunk
Monarch
Viceroy
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Symbiotic Relationships(close association)
3 types 1. Parasitism feeds on and lives
on/in host ( , - )
White-tailed deer - host
Deer tick - parasite
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• 2. Mutualism ( , )
• Pollination
• Food supply
• Protection

Clownfish and Sea Anemone
Rhinoceros and Horn-billed Puffin/Rhinoceros
Auklet
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3. Commensalism ( , o )
Grey whale and Barnacles
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Competition
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• Intraspecific between members of same species
• Fight for same resources
• Habitat
• Nutrients
• Water
• Soil
• Abundant resources sharing

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Example Blue satin bower bird
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• Interspecific between members of different
  species