Exploring the Web of Life: An Introduction to Ecology

Exploring the Web of Life: An Introduction to Ecology

What do you already know about the interactions between living organisms and their environment?

What is Ecology?

Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. It explores how living beings coexist and affect each other's lives.

Levels of Organisation

Ecology considers different levels: individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere.

Ecosystems

Ecosystems are communities of living organisms interacting with their physical environment. They include both biotic and abiotic components.

Biotic Factors

Biotic factors are living parts of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Abiotic Factors

Abiotic factors are non-living components like sunlight, water, and soil that influence ecosystems.

Food Chains and Webs

Food chains show linear relationships of energy flow, while food webs depict complex interconnections in ecosystems.

Trophic Levels

Trophic levels represent the position an organism occupies in a food chain, from producers to apex predators.

Producers and Consumers

Producers make their own food (e.g., plants). Consumers rely on others for food (e.g., animals).

Decomposers

Decomposers break down dead material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. Examples include fungi and bacteria.

Energy Flow

Energy flows through ecosystems from the sun to producers and then through various consumer levels.

Nutrient Cycles

Nutrient cycles like the carbon and nitrogen cycles are essential for ecosystem stability.

Habitat and Niche

A habitat is where an organism lives, while a niche is its role within that environment.

Population Dynamics

Population dynamics study how populations change over time due to births, deaths, and migration.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in an ecosystem. Greater biodiversity often leads to more stability.

Human Impact on Ecosystems

Human activities, like deforestation and pollution, significantly alter ecosystems and biodiversity.

Conservation Efforts

Conservation efforts aim to protect ecosystems and biodiversity through sustainable practices.

Case Study: The Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon is a diverse ecosystem facing threats from deforestation and climate change.

Interactive Activity

Create a food web using local species. Identify producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Review and Reflection

Reflect on what you've learned about ecology and its significance in understanding our environment.

Key Takeaways

Ecology connects the interactions of life and environment, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices.

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