Principles of

Ecology
Bio C2
Principles of Ecology

I. Organisms and their Environment

A. Sharing the world
1. Studying Nature
B. What is ecology?
1. Definition of ecology
2. Ecological research
C. The Biosphere
Principles of Ecology

C. The Biosphere
1. Structure of the biosphere
2. The non-living environment
3. Living environment

II. Levels of Organization

Principles of Ecology

II. Levels of
Organization
A. Population-
group of same
species
interbreeding &
living together in
same place & time
Principles of Ecology

B. Communities- interacting populations

in a certain area at the same time.
Principles of Ecology

C. Ecosystems- interacting populations

and the communities’ abiotic factors.
Principles of Ecology

C. Ecosystems
Types
1. Terrestrial
2. Aquatic
a. Fresh
b. saltwater
3. Other Sites
Principles of Ecology
 An egret can be a
predator, prey, and a
mover of fish eggs and
seeds.

III. Organisms in Ecosystems

habitat- place where organism lives
A. Niche- strategies & adaptations species
use to meet its needs. (Jobs they do)
Principles of Ecology
IV. Survival
Relationships
A. Predator-
Prey*
B. Mutualism*
C. Commensalism
D. Parasitism
The caterpillars have nectar
organs which ants drink
from, & acacia tolerates
feeding caterpillars. The
ants appear to provide
protection for both plant &
caterpillar.
Principles of Ecology
IV. Survival
Relationships
C.
Commensalism
relationship between
two species where
one derives
benefit & the other
is unaffected
D. Parasitism-
tomato hornworm
with pupating
braconid wasps.
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:

Ecosystem
TYPES:

Example: Non-Examples:
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:

Ecosystem
TYPES:
Terrestrial: forest, field
meadow, yard, rotting log
Aquatic: Freshwater or
Marine
Other: Human Body,
Buildings, or Food
Example: Non-Examples:
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:

Ecosystem
TYPES:
Terrestrial: forest, field
meadow, yard, rotting log
Aquatic: Freshwater or Marine
Other: Human Body, Buildings,
or Food
Example: Mold growing in ceiling
tiles of a building causing allergies Non-Examples:
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:

Ecosystem
TYPES:
Terrestrial: forest, field Habitat
meadow, yard, rotting log
Aquatic: Freshwater or
Marine
Other: Human Body,
Buildings, or Food

Example: Mold growing in ceiling

tiles of a building causing allergies Non-Examples:
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:

Ecosystem
TYPES:
Terrestrial: forest, field Habitat
meadow, yard, rotting log
Aquatic: Freshwater or Niche
Marine
Other: Human Body,
Buildings, or Food

Example: Mold growing in ceiling

Non-Examples:
tiles of a building causing allergies
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:

Ecosystem
TYPES:
Terrestrial: forest, field Habitat
meadow, yard, rotting log
Aquatic: Freshwater or Niche
Marine Resource
Other: Human Body,
Buildings, or Food

Example: Mold growing in ceiling

Non-Examples:
tiles of a building causing allergies
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:

Ecosystem
TYPES:
Terrestrial: forest, field Habitat
meadow, yard, rotting log
Aquatic: Freshwater or Niche
Marine Resource
Other: Human Body,
Buildings, or Food Organism

Example: Mold growing in ceiling

Non-Examples:
tiles of a building causing allergies
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:

Ecosystem
TYPES:
Terrestrial: forest, field Habitat
meadow, yard, rotting log
Aquatic: Freshwater or Niche
Marine Resource
Other: Human Body,
Buildings, or Food Organism
Population
Example: Mold growing in ceiling
tiles of a building causing allergies Non-Examples:
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:

Ecosystem
TYPES:
Terrestrial: forest, field Habitat
meadow, yard, rotting log
Aquatic: Freshwater or Niche
Marine Resource
Other: Human Body,
Buildings, or Food Organism
Population
Example: Mold growing in ceiling
Community Non-Examples:
tiles of a building causing allergies
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:

Ecosystem
TYPES: NOT one but
Terrestrial: forest, field Habitat ALL these
meadow, yard, rotting log things
Aquatic: Freshwater or Niche interacting
Marine Resource together make
Other: Human Body, up an
Buildings, or Food Organism ECOSYSTEM
Population
Example: Mold growing in ceiling
Community Non-Examples:
tiles of a building causing allergies
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:
Includes living & nonliving things
organized within BIOMES into
the BIOSPHERE.

Ecosystem
TYPES: NOT one but
Terrestrial: forest, field Habitat ALL these
meadow, yard, rotting log things
Aquatic: Freshwater or Niche interacting
Marine Resource together make
Other: Human Body, up an
Buildings, or Food Organism ECOSYSTEM
Population
Example: Mold growing in ceiling
Community Non-Examples:
tiles of a building causing allergies
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:
Includes living & nonliving things
organized within BIOMES into
the BIOSPHERE.
Organism Population
Community Ecosystem

Ecosystem
TYPES: NOT one but
Terrestrial: forest, field Habitat ALL these
meadow, yard, rotting log things
Aquatic: Freshwater or Niche interacting
Marine Resource together make
Other: Human Body, up an
Buildings, or Food Organism ECOSYSTEM
Population
Example: Mold growing in ceiling
Community Non-Examples:
tiles of a building causing allergies
 Ecosystem
Definition: Characteristics:

Interactions among Includes living & nonliving things

populations in a community organized within BIOMES into
(biotic) within the the BIOSPHERE.
community’s physical Organism Population
surroundings (abiotic factors) Community Ecosystem

Ecosystem
TYPES: NOT one but
Terrestrial: forest, field Habitat ALL these
meadow, yard, rotting log things
Aquatic: Freshwater or Niche interacting
Marine Resource together make
Other: Human Body, up an
Buildings, or Food Organism ECOSYSTEM
Population
Example: Mold growing in ceiling
Community Non-Examples:
tiles of a building causing allergies
2.2 Nutrition & Energy
Flow
I. How Organisms get Energy
A. Producers- Autotrophs
B. Consumers- Heterotrophs
1.Herbivores
2. Carnivores
3. Scavengers
4. Omnivores
5. Decomposers
2.2 Nutrition & Energy
Flow
I. How Organisms get Energy
A. Producers- Autotrophs
B. Consumers- Heterotrophs
1.Herbivores- eat plants
2. Carnivores- eat animals
3. Scavengers- eat carrion (dead)
4. Omnivores- eat both plant &
animal
5. Decomposers- breakdown
compounds into molecules
Pyramid of Energy
Nutrition & Energy Flow

II. Flow of Matter &

Energy in
Ecosystems
A. Food Chains
B. Food Webs
C. Ecological
pyramids
Food Chains
 Simple model
scientists use to
show how food &
energy move
through an
ecosystem.
Nutrition & Energy Flow
III. Cycles in Nature
A. Water Cycle
B. C Cycle
C. N Cycle
D. Phosphorus Cycle
Phosphorus Cycle