Introduction to Ecology

5/18/06

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Table of Contents

Introduction to Ecology

Ecology is the scientific study of the distribution and abundance of organisms, and their interactions with the environment.

What do we mean by “scientific study”?

Essentially, it goes something like this

A hypothesis is a suggested explanation for a phenomena, based upon a conceptual “working model” of how a system works.

· Interestingly, a hypothesis cannot be proven true by an experiment, even when it correctly predicts the outcome.

Example-Zonosemata wing markings.

What does this data suggest?

Ecology has a long history as a historical science, and is becoming an experimental science.

What do we mean by “environment”?

Abiotic components are nonliving aspects of the environment. Abiotic components of the environment include rainfall and temperature, fire and disturbance.

Based Upon the Questionsthey Choose to Ask, Ecologists May Work at One or More of Several Different Levels of Organization:

Individuals are single, discrete organisms.

Populations are groups of organisms of the same species living in the same place.

Examples of populations include:

Communities are assemblages of populations of different species living in the same place

What is a Species?

“Biological Species Concept”

Morphological Species Concept

Phylogenetic Species Concept

Short Discussion

Climate vs. Weather

Terrestrial Biomes(some scientists count them differently)

Major Physical Factors influencing terrestrial biomes

Taiga or Coniferous Forest

Temperate Deciduous Forests

Tropical Rain Forests

Tropical Dry Forests

Aquatic communities are determined by the availability of sunlight and nutrients

Some Aquatic Communities

Continental Shelf

Rivers and Lakes

For most, but not all groups of organisms, biodiversity increases from the poles to the tropics

History affects what species live in an area as well.

Author: LabPC