1. Chapter 52 An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

2. The Scope of Ecology • 1. What environmental factors determine the geographic distribution of gray whales? • 2. How do variations in their food supply affect the size of the gray whale population? • Ecology – the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and the environment • https://www.learner.org/jnorth/images/graphics/gwhale/maps/map_annual.gif • http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/whale_graymigration

3. Hierarchy of scales that ecologists study • https://quizlet.com/bioteach57

4. 52.1 Ecology integrates all areas of biological research and informs environmental decision making • Discovery science - describes natural structures and processes as accurately as possible through careful observation and analysis of data • Experimental science – generate hypotheses, manipulate the environment, and observe the outcome • Ex) Fig. 52.3 – Findings? Advantages over using discovery science instead?

5. Linking Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Ecological effect vs an evolutionary effect

6. Ecology and Environmental Issues • Science vs advocacy • https://www.neiwpcc.org/npsconference/12-presentations/Saffert_NJ%20Fertilizer%20Law.pdf • http://nj.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/envh10.sci.life.eco.silentspring/rachel-carsons-silent-spring/

7. 52.2 Interactions between organisms and the environment limit the distribution of species • Where and why do species occur where they do? • Biotic vs abiotic factors • https://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/129184136.png • Fig 52.5

8. Dispersal and Distribution • The movement of individuals away from their area of origin or from centers of high population density. • Is dispersal a key factor in limiting the distribution of a species? • Natural range expansions vs species transplants • Fig. 52.7 Dispersal of the cattle egret in the Americas • Potential range vs actual range • http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/european-starling/

9. Behavior and Habitat Selection • Must be able to tolerate conditions in the habitat and be able to find the resources it needs to survive • https://ipm.illinois.edu/fieldcrops/insects/european_corn_borer.pdf

10. Biotic Factors • Does the presence of other species limit distribution? • Predation, parasitism, or competition • Fig. 52.8 Does feeding by sea urchins limit seaweed distribution?