Biology 307 – Ecology and Human
Affairs
Instructors: Dr. Jana Vamosi (BI 238A)
&
Dr. Larry Linton (BI 276C)
Textbook: Ecology of a Changing
Planet, 3rd edition
Mark B. Bush
http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pu
bbooks/bush3/
More important info:

Notes can be obtained from:
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~biol307

E-mail me for questions at:
biol307@ucalgary.ca

Marking is going to be based on:
1 midterm (Feb. 28th) ----- 50%
1 final (non-cumulative) ---50%
Outline
 Introduction
 Evolution
to Ecology
and Natural Selection
 Physiological
 Behavioural
Ecology
Ecology
Outline
 Introduction
 Evolution
to Ecology
and Natural Selection
 Physiological
 Behavioural
Ecology
Ecology
Introduction to Ecology
Chapter 1.1-1.3, Bush
Introduction to Ecology
 What
 The
is Ecology?
Scientific Method
 Ecology
versus Evolution
What is Ecology?
 The
science that attempts to
understand the distribution and
abundance of organisms
– e.g., why are dandelions abundant in some
areas, but virtually absent from other
areas?
Dandelion Distribution
vs.
soil characteristics?
herbivores?
seed dispersal?
What is Ecology?
 Some
questions get at the question of
the distribution and abundance of
organisms in a more indirect manner
– e.g., what determines which male
proboscis monkeys will mate and which
will not?
Mate choice in the Proboscis monkey
vs. Environmental Science
 The
scientific study of the influence of
human actions on natural processes
– e.g., how is the rattlesnake’s distribution
affected by ranching?
vs. Environmentalism
 concern
over changes to the
environment due to human action
 not
science
– e.g., how can we encourage hikers to stay
on marked trails in mountain meadows?
Introduction to Ecology
 What
 The
is Ecology?
Scientific Method
 Ecology
versus Evolution
The Scientific Method. I.
 starting
point: observation(s) of a
natural phenomenon
 hypothesis
is proposed to explain
phenomenon & predictions made
 hypothesis
tested (typically with
experiments) & results obtained
The Scientific Method. II.
 interpret
results to determine whether
they are consistent with hypothesis
 yes?
hypothesis supported; no?
hypothesis rejected
 N.B.
hypotheses never proven, only
supported
Example
 Hypothesis:
– Plant species
with fleshy fruits
have heavier
seeds than plant
species with dry
fruits
Collect data
Fleshy
Dry
Spondias radlikoferi(1.93g)
Carica papaya (0.011g)
Ficus insipida (0.002g)
Cordia alliodora (0.009g)
Albizia purpusii (0.03g)
Senna multijuga (0.20g)
mean seed weight (Fl)
mean seed weight (Dr)
Scientific method and experiments
 The
previous example did not involve
an experiment
 Ecological questions can be
approached in a variety of ways
(comparative, experimental)
 An experiment involves a manipulation
of some sort
Example of an experiment
 Hypothesis:
– Bearberry plants
with fewer
flowers will have
heavier fruits
Experimental design:
 make
two groups of equal number of
bearberry plants
 In
one group, leave plants alone
(control group)
 In
the other, cut off some flowers
(treatment group)
Data collection and analysis:
 Measure
the weights of fruit in the
plants in the control and treatment
groups
 If
weight(control) < weight(treatment),
you have found support for your
hypothesis (fewer flowers leads to
larger fruit)
Hypothesis  Theory
 hypotheses
are tentative explanations
for an observed phenomenon
 theories
are widely accepted
explanations that are broad in scope
and have a large body of evidence
supporting them
Introduction to Ecology
 What
 The
is Ecology?
Scientific Method
 Ecology
versus Evolution
What is Evolution?
 EVOLUTION:
genetic changes within a
lineage or population that result in
population-level phenotypic changes
– PHENOTYPE: the “appearance” of an
organism e.g., physiology, anatomy,
behaviour; the expression of the genes
that have been inherited from the parent.
Ecology versus Evolution

Ecology and evolution are tightly linked

Both ecology and evolution seek to answer
the common question of why is the natural
world organized as it is

Ecology seeks the more proximate answer
while evolution seeks the ultimate answer
(i.e., there is a historical element to
evolutionary questions)
Dandelion Distribution
vs.
A pattern of potential interest to both
ecologists and evolutionary biologists
Example – dandelion distribution

ecologist might measure how abiotic (e.g.,
sunlight) and biotic (e.g., herbivore density)
factors in the two habitats affect dandelions

evolutionary biologist might search for
phenotypic traits in the dandelion that may
(a) increase ability to survive in the first
habitat or (b) prevent colonization and
persistence of dandelions in second habitat
Summary

Ecology is an investigative science that relies
on the scientific method

The scientific method requires observation,
creation of a hypothesis, and data collection to
refute or support the hypothesis.

Ecology and evolution are two separate
disciplines that overlap in their investigation of
the natural world.