Adaptation from www.biologycorner.com

1. Ecology
Photo
by http://www.flickr.com/photos/druclimb/56763994/in/photostream/

2. ECOLOGY - the study of interactions among
organisms with each other and with environment
BIOSPHERE - portion of planet where life exists

3. LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION
Species - individuals that can breed with one
another
Population - all the individuals of the same
species (ducks) in an area

4. A population is
always
composed of
same-species
organisms

5. Community - all the populations that
live together in an area

6. Ecosystem - the community plus the physical
factors in an area (rain, light, soil..)
Examples:
Rotting Log
Koi Pond
Lake
Clump of Dirt
A field
An old maple tree

7. Biome: large area that has a particular climate,
and particular species of plants and animals that
live there (tundra)

8. Biosphere - the part of the earth that supports life

9. Quick Check
1. All the different populations in an area make up the
a) biosphere b) ecosystem c) community
2. Ecology is the study of the _________________ of
organisms with the environment.
3. The part of the earth that can support life is the _________.
4. All the living and non-living factors in an area make up the:
a) population b) ecosystem c) community
5. A desert, rain forest, tundra and grassland are all different
kinds of:
a) biospheres b. biomes c) biotics

10. Ecological Methods - how do we study ecology?
Observing -
Experimenting
Modeling
Models are used to
make predictions.

11. Sometimes, you must be cautious in
how a model interprets data....
Imagine graphing a
person's height as
they age. One
could predict that by
the time they were
age 30, they would
be 22 feet tall.
However, the model
would need to
account for the
slowing of growth
after adolescence.

12. 1. A group of animals that live in the same area and can
interbreed is called a (n) _____________________
2. The study of organisms and their interactions with the
environment is known as ___________________________
3. A large area that has a particular climate and distinct plants
and animals is called a ____________________________
4. All of the different populations living in an area (plants,
rabbits, coyotes...) is called the _________________________
5. An ecosystem includes all the living and ___________ factors
in an area.
6. The portion of the planet that can sustain life is the ________
7. Animals that can interbreed are called a(n) ____________

13. TASK 1: Biomes - Concept Map
-Your task is to create an image (concept) map on a particular biome.
-The concept map should include terms and concepts related to the biome.
-Each group will have a different biome and must present the information to the class.
-Image must be created using concept mapping software
-Images must be included
Instructions
1. Place your biome as a center concept on your map.
2. Make four branches from the center point for each of the following categories: animals, plants,
climate, and interesting facts.
3. Research your biome to include terms and ideas for each of those main categories and link them on
your map. Include photos or other images where appropriate.
Additional Resources
A- Concept Mapping Programs
Popplet Bubbl.us
B- Biomes
-Take a look at the presentation “Biomes” posted in the blog
-http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/
- http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html

14. Task 2:
- Read the slides carefully, follow the instructions and
show your work in a presentation.
- Include pictures, drawings, links, videos, etc.

15. Energy Flow
Autotrophs (producers) - capture energy and convert
to "food" Ex. Plants
Heterotrophs (consumers) - must eat things
Ex. Animals

16. Types of Consumers:
Activity:
Define and give examples of the following terms:
- Herbivores
- Carnivores
- Omnivores
- Detritivores / Decomposers

17. *SUNLIGHT is the main source of
energy*
Photosynthesis - uses light energy to make
"food"

18. *You need to know this equation for the
test!

19. Chemosynthesis - makes food from
chemicals (some bacteria do this)
Some bacteria
live in deep
ocean vents,
and make their
food from
chemicals in
those vents

20. Productivity
the rate at which organic matter is created by producers
More plants = more productivity.
Which of the following ecosystems has the greatest primary
productivity?
a) rain forest b) desert c) tundra

21. -Tertiary Consumers
(3rd)
-Secondary Consumers
(2nd)
- Primary Consumers
(1st)
- Producers
* Find the Omnivore.

22. Activity:
-Build a food web from your biome
-Choose a food chain
- Label the different trophic levels
-Which are the decomposers? Name them and add them in
the food chain.
-Take a look at the food web. What will happen if the
population of the 3rd consumer decreases?
Vocabulary: population increases/decreases, falls, drops

23. Ecological Pyramids:
1- Pyramid of Numbers

24. Activity:
- Draw a pyramid of numbers of your biome.
- Take a picture and include it in the presentation
What does each bar represent?
*An ecosystem cannot support very many top predators!

25. Pyramids of biomass:
Activity
a-What do they represent?
b-Draw a pyramid of biomass of your biome.
- Do you find any differences and/or similarities between
this and the pyramid of numbers? Explain

26. NUTRIENT CYCLES: carbon and water cycle
(biology + geology + chemical)
Matter is not used up, it is transformed, the same molecules
are passed around
Activity:
Draw or look for a picture of the the Carbon Cycle

27. Water Cycle
ground water - water reserves
transpiration (from plants)
evaporation (from bodies of water)
precipitation (from clouds)

28. The Nitrogen Cycle
Earth's atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen

29. Quick Check
1. An organism that only eats plants is called a ______________________________
On a food web, this organism is also called a ____________________ consumer.
2. What human activities cause carbon to be released into the atmosphere?
3. An ecosystem can support a [ small number / large number ] of top predators.
4. In a pyramid of numbers, what type of organism makes up the base of the pyramid? [
producers / consumers / predators ]
5. When plants lose water from their leaves, it is called _______________________
6. When it rains, it is called _______________________________________
7. When liquid water turns into water vapor, it is called _______________________
8. What element makes up the majority of the earth’s atmosphere?
a) carbon dioxide b) nitrogen c) oxygen
9. On a food web, secondary consumers are eaten by _____________ consumers.
10. On a food web, arrows represent a) the flow of energy b) the passage of time