Introduction to Ecology
Introduction to Ecology
• Ecology is the
scientific study of
interactions among
organisms and
between organisms
and their
environment.
Levels of Organization
Levels of Organization
• Organism: A
complete living unit
which make up a:
– Species: A group of
organisms so similar
to one another that
they can breed and
produce viable
offspring.
• This is the same
level of organization.
Levels of Organization
• Population: All
members of a single
species in an
ecosystem.
Levels of Organization
• Community: All the
populations of
different species in
an ecosystem.
Levels of Organization
• Ecosystem: A
collection of all the
organisms that live
in a particular place,
together with their
nonliving (Abiotic),
environment.
Levels of Organization
• Biomes: A group of
ecosystems that
have the same
climate and similar
dominant
communities.
• These are usually
classified according
to the predominant
vegetation.
Also, fresh water and
marine biomes
Levels of Organization
• The biosphere contains the combined
portion of the planet in which ALL life
exists (all ecosystems).
• This includes all:
– Land
– Water
– Air (atmosphere)
Levels of Organization
• The biosphere
extends about 8 km
above the Earth’s
surface and as far
as 11 km below the
surface of the
ocean.
Ecological Methods
• Ecologist use a wide range
of tools and techniques to
study the living world.
• Binoculars
• Field guides
• Soil/Water Test kits
• Etc……..
Ecological Methods
• Regardless of the
tools they use,
scientists conduct
modern ecological
research using three
basic approaches.
Ecological Methods
• Observing: This is usually
the first step in asking
ecological questions?
• Most questions are simple:
• What species live here?
• How many individuals of
each species are there?
Ecological Methods
• Observations (cont.)
• Many observations can
lead to more complex
questions and may form
the first step in designing
experiments and models.
• What is the effects do
humans have on the
environment?
Ecological Methods
• Experimenting:
Experiments can be
used to test hypotheses.
• May use artificial
environments in a lab.
• Other experiments are
conduct in the natural
ecosystem.
Ecological Methods
• Modeling: Many ecological
phenomena occur over long
periods of time and on very
large scales which make them
difficult to study.
• Example: Global Warming
• Most models consist of
mathematical formulas based
on data collected through
observation and
experimentation.
• Predictions made by ecological
modeling are often tested by
further observations.
Quiz Questions
•
You have 15 – 20 minutes to study for a
quiz based on the following questions:
1. List the six levels of ecological organization,
in order, from smallest to largest.
2. Define each of the six levels of organization.
3. Suppose you wanted to know if the water in
the Carson River is safe to drink. Which
ecological method(s) would you choose and
why?
Question #1
• Define Organism.
Question #2
• Define Biome
Question #3
• Define Population:
Question #4
• Define Ecosystem:
Question #5
• Define Biosphere
Question #6
• Define Community
Question #7
• List the six levels of ecological
organization, in order, from smallest to
largest.
Answers
•
•
•
•
•
•
Organism: A complete living unit which make up a
species
Biome: A group of ecosystems that have the same
climate and similar dominant communities.
Population: All members of a single species in an
ecosystem.
Ecosystem: A collection of all the organisms that
live in a particular place, together with their
nonliving (Abiotic), environment.
Biosphere: The biosphere contains the combined
portion of the planet in which ALL life exists (all
ecosystems).
Community: All the populations of different species
in an ecosystem.
Answers
7.