what is ecology? it is the study of the environment we live in
TRANSCRIPT
What is Ecology?
It is the study of the environment we live in
Origin of the word…ecology Greek origin OIKOS = household LOGOS = study of…
Study of the “house/environment” in which we live.
Ecology is study of interactions between non-living components in the environment…
light water wind nutrients in soil heat solar radiation atmosphere, etc.
AND…
Living organisms… Plants Animals microorganisms in soil, etc.
Ecology… Study of the relationship between
plants and animals and their environment
Consumers herbivores and
carnivores Decomposers
fungi and bacteria break up dead organisms Primary
producers green plants
Levels of organization - Terms Biosphere
Part of the earth where
organisms can live Composed of many ecosystems
Ecosystem Large or small as we decide
Garden Woodland Beach
Levels of organization - Terms
Organism – living thing Population – one species live in one place at one time Community – All populations (diff. species) that live
in a HABITAT.
Levels of organization - Terms
Habitat – physical location of a community
Community – All populations (diff. species) that live in a HABITAT.
PredatorA predator eats other animals.
Cats eat fish. So do bears!
Predator The cat is a predator, because it
eats other animals. The bear is a predator, because it
eats other animals.
PreyAny animal which is hunted and
killed by another animal for food is prey.
Predator
Prey
Match the predator to its prey.
Predators and Prey
Some animals are predators, some are prey - some are both.
The predator eats the prey, and the prey gets eaten by the predator.
Food ChainsA food chain shows what is eaten.
The fly is eaten by the thrush.
Food ChainsA food chain shows what is eaten.
The lettuce is eaten by the rabbit.
Food chains always start with a plant.
The lettuce is eaten by the slug, the slug is eaten by the bird.
Connections
Primary Producer Primary
Consumer Secondary Consumer
Top of the food chain
The top of the food chain.Some animals are said to be at the top of the
food chain. This is because they are not hunted by other animals.
No other animal hunts the lion. The lion is at the top of
the food chain. Can you think why?
Green plants convert the sun’s energy and are called PRIMARY PRODUCERS
Decomposers like bacteria and fungi break down the dead plants and animals to make nutrients for the primary producer (Green plants).
Food Web A number of
interconnected food chains
Carnivore eats other animals
Herbivore eats plants
Omnivore eats plants and animals
Pyramid of Numbers The lion is top of
the food chain There are few
lion and lots of trees
Interdependence Plants and animals depend on each other
for survival
Food
Photosynthesis
Fertiliser
Carbon Dioxide
Interdependence
Summary
H/W P 135-6 Q 1,3,5,7,9,14.