Biology 260 : Ecology

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Biology 260 Ecology Professors Jen Klug and
Tod Osier Lecture T, F 11-1215 Klug Labs 2-
450 M, W Osier T, Th Klug Labs meet BNW N309
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Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs.
Fri.
Week of Sept. 1
Sept. 5 first lecture
Week of Sept. 8
Outdoor lab dress for weather
Week of Sept. 15
Active outdoor lab dress for weather
Week of Sept. 22
Indoor lab bring calculator
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Outline
Who are we? What is Ecology? What will this
course be like?
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Who are we?
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What is Ecology?
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What is Ecology?
What do ecologists study? What questions do
they ask? How do they answer questions?
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What do ecologists study?
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Organism fundamental unit of ecology an
individual living being bounded by a covering
which separates it from its environment
Organismal ecologists focus on how the organism
interacts with its environment to survive and
reproduce
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Population group of organisms of the same
species that live in a particular
area Population ecologists focus on changes in
the number of individuals over time
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Community many populations of different species
living in a particular area Community
ecologists focus on consequences of interactions
among populations
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Ecosystem communities of organisms and the
physical and chemical components of their
environment Ecosystem ecologists focus on
movement of energy and matter through different
compartments
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What questions do they ask?
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Salmon River, East Haddam
Organism - focus on survival and reproduction
Wild Rice individuals
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Salmon River, East Haddam
Population - focus on birth and death
Wild Rice Population
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Salmon River, East Haddam
Community - focus on interactions
b/w populations
Populations of maple, hickory, and oak trees
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Salmon River, East Haddam
Ecosystem - focus on flow of energy and matter
Tidal river ecosystem
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Poincelot
M. Hill
Osier
Brousseau
Klug
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How do ecologists answer questions?
1. Observation and description 2. Development of
hypotheses 3. Testing of hypotheses
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Salmon River, East Haddam
What would you do to describe and observe this
system?
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Patterns
Salmon River, East Haddam
Common reed (Phragmites) is increasing along the
banks of the river Nitrogen content of the river
is increasing
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1. Observation and description 2. Development of
hypotheses 3. Testing of hypotheses
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Patterns
Common reed (Phragmites) is increasing along the
banks of the river Nitrogen content of the river
is increasing
Hypothesis explanation of pattern
Increases in nitrogen stimulate Phragmites growth
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1. Observation and description 2. Development of
hypotheses 3. Testing of hypotheses
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3. Testing of hypotheses
Predictions Experiments Models
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Hypothesis
Increases in nitrogen stimulate Phragmites growth
Predictions If nitrogen levels in the river
are reduced, increase in Phragmites should stop
Correlation vs. causation problem
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Hypothesis
Increases in nitrogen stimulate Phragmites growth
Experiments grow Phragmites under
different nitrogen conditions
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Hypothesis
Increases in nitrogen stimulate Phragmites growth
Models model spread of Phragmites
under different nitrogen scenarios
Current area of Phragmites
function of nitrogen but also temp, water
flow, oxygen etc.
growth or decline
Future area of Phragmites
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What is Ecology? - Summary
Ecology is the study of the interactions between
organisms and between organisms and their
environment. Ecological systems are arranged
hierarchically from organisms to the
biosphere. Ecologists use a variety of
approaches to answer both basic and applied
questions.
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What will this course be like? Structure
Environmental variability Organisms Ecosystems Pop
ulations Species interactions Communities
Applied Ecological Issues
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What will this course be like? Grading
Lecture 70 of grade - midterm 1 15 - midterm
2 20 - midterm 3 20 - cumulative final 35 -
in-class assignments/quizzes 10 Lab 30 of
grade - lab exam 40 - in-class
assignments/quizzes 20 - final presentation
25 - participation 15
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http//faculty.fairfield.edu/jklug/ecology03/ecolo
gy03.htm Lecture outlines up by 9 am Lab
handouts will be available on the web Download
and read handouts before each lab - pay
attention to section on attire - pop quizzes
(easy) to ensure that you come prepared
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What will this course be like? Rules

• Tardiness if youre late, dont be disruptive
• Attendance your choice
• Courtesy if someone else is talking, dont
• Honesty temptation to cheat is huge, dont do
  it