Introduction to Ecology

Introduction to Ecology • What is Ecology?

Introduction to Ecology • Ecology is…… • The study of interactions… • between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components…. • in ecosystems!

Introduction to Ecology • Some definitions: • FOOD CHAIN: • A diagram showing the movement of energy between biotic factors in an ecosystem.

Introduction to Ecology Some examples of FOOD CHAINS:

Introduction to Ecology • PRODUCER: • An organism that makes it’s own food from sunlight or heat (usually a plant)

Introduction to Ecology • CONSUMER: • An organism that must consume other organisms for energy (all animals are consumers)

Introduction to Ecology • HERBIVORE: • An organism that consumes only plants for food (deer, mice, grasshopper, gorilla)

Introduction to Ecology • CARNIVORE: • An organism that consumes only other animals for food (cats, owls, sharks, polar bear)

Introduction to Ecology • DECOMPOSER: • An organism that consumes only dead organisms for food (bacteria, worms, fungus, vultures)

Introduction to Ecology • NUTRIENT: • A material that an organism needs to grow and reproduce. Good examples are vitamins and minerals.

Introduction to Ecology • OMNIVORE: • An organism that can eat either plants or animals for energy (humans, raccoons, black bears, chimpanzees)

Introduction to Ecology • HABITAT: • The area in which an organism lives, including the space, water and food available, vegetation and soil types

Use the definitions from your worksheet to label the following ecosystem: abiotic carnivore biotic omnivore HABITAT producer herbivore abiotic producer consumer

Introduction to Ecology