biology 205 2

Biology 205Biology 205Ecology and AdaptationEcology and Adaptation

Lecture 2: Lecture 2: Overview of Ecology Overview of Ecology

Fall 2015Fall 2015Dr. Erik D. DavenportDr. Erik D. Davenport

Lecture OutlineLecture Outline

““Planet Earth: from pole to pole”Planet Earth: from pole to pole” What is ecology? – definition and exampleWhat is ecology? – definition and example The Scope of Ecology.The Scope of Ecology. How we study ecology?How we study ecology?

– Ecology of Forest BirdsEcology of Forest Birds– Ecology of BumblebeesEcology of Bumblebees– Forest Nutrient BudgetsForest Nutrient Budgets

Ecology is…Ecology is…

the study of the study of interactionsinteractions among among living living thingsthings and their and their environmentsenvironments

… interactions between organisms and between organisms and their environment.… the distribution and abundance of organisms in the natural world.…how interactions between organisms and their environment shape the natural world.

Ecology is the study of…Ecology is the study of…

…the study of how to save the environment

but ecological concepts can be applied to environmental issues.

…a set of values, a political agenda, or a belief system

but your understanding of ecological concepts may affect your values.

Ecology is not…

Why is ecology required?

Sub-discipline of Biology Expose you to ecological and environmental

knowledge so that you can understand (or critically think about) some important environmental issues.

Ecology and Health

Source: Earth Institute| Columbia University; blogs.ei.colombia.edu; 02/02/2012

Levels of biological organizationLevels of biological organization

MoleculesMoleculesCellsCellsTissuesTissuesOrgansOrgansSystemsSystemsIndividualsIndividualsPopulationsPopulationsCommunitiesCommunitiesEcosystemsEcosystems

the scope of ecology

Approaches of Ecological studyApproaches of Ecological study

Using field studies to test a theory:Using field studies to test a theory:

– The theory: two species with identical ecological The theory: two species with identical ecological requirements would compete with each other, as requirements would compete with each other, as a consequence, they could not live in the same a consequence, they could not live in the same environment indefinitely.environment indefinitely.

Ecology of Forest BirdsEcology of Forest Birds

MacArthurMacArthur studied ecology of five species of studied ecology of five species of warblers in spruce forests in N.A.warblers in spruce forests in N.A.– Theory predicted two species with identical Theory predicted two species with identical

ecological requirements could not coexist ecological requirements could not coexist indefinitely.indefinitely.

– Studies found warblers coexisted by feeding in Studies found warblers coexisted by feeding in different zones of the same tree.different zones of the same tree.

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Warbler feeding zones (by Dr. MacArthur)Figure 1.1

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Upward shift in warbler feeding zoneFigure 1.2

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combination of field and laboratory studies:combination of field and laboratory studies:

– Laboratory study could provide precise Laboratory study could provide precise measurements within a controlled environments.measurements within a controlled environments.

Ecology of BumblebeesEcology of Bumblebees

Bumblebees live in many cool regions.Bumblebees live in many cool regions.– Dr. HeinrichDr. Heinrich estimated energy budget of estimated energy budget of

individuals foraging on different flowers and under individuals foraging on different flowers and under different temperatures.different temperatures.

– Energy (Gain or Loss) = Energy Intake - Energy Energy (Gain or Loss) = Energy Intake - Energy Expenditure.Expenditure.

– Amount of energy expended during flight was Amount of energy expended during flight was independent of air temperature.independent of air temperature.

– Bees elevated temperature of thorax to stay warm Bees elevated temperature of thorax to stay warm in cool climates.in cool climates.


Energy budgets of foraging bumblebees (Dr. Heinrich)Figure 1.3

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Environmental temperature and bumblebee heating rateFigure 1.4

1-4 Source: Heinrich 1993

Dr. Heirich’s research on bumblebees has Dr. Heirich’s research on bumblebees has focused on the behavior and physiology of focused on the behavior and physiology of the individuals in their natural environments.the individuals in their natural environments.

He combined field measurements with lab He combined field measurements with lab studies to estimate the energy budget of studies to estimate the energy budget of bumblebee.bumblebee.

Such study will help us to understand the Such study will help us to understand the ecology of this species.ecology of this species.


Inventories, Large-scale experiments, and Inventories, Large-scale experiments, and Simulation modelsSimulation models

– The nutrients budget in rain forest.The nutrients budget in rain forest.– The soil in rain forest is very nutrient poor.The soil in rain forest is very nutrient poor.– The Epiphyte mat contain lots nutrients, and can provide The Epiphyte mat contain lots nutrients, and can provide

the nutrient requirements for rain forest. (by Nadkarni)the nutrient requirements for rain forest. (by Nadkarni)– Trees send roots up to epiphyte mats to access nutrients.Trees send roots up to epiphyte mats to access nutrients.


Providing access to forest canopyFigure 1.6

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Forest Nutrient BudgetsForest Nutrient Budgets

Likens and BormannLikens and Bormann estimated 90% of estimated 90% of nutrients in a New Hampshire forest were nutrients in a New Hampshire forest were locked up in soil organic matter.locked up in soil organic matter.– Approximately 9.5 % was tied up in vegetation.Approximately 9.5 % was tied up in vegetation.– Streamflow output amounted to < 1%.Streamflow output amounted to < 1%.


Influence of forest on nutrient budgets (the study of Liken & Bormann at a experimental forest in New Hampshire)

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With forest, nutrients Outputs in the streamsFlow is less than 1%Of the total nutrientsContained within theForest.

Without forest, nutrients Outputs in the streamsFlow increase by 177% to1,558% of the nutrients outputs from the same System.

Simulation Models

Mathematical models can be used to simulated the natural ecological questions on a computer.

– Such as: how environmental factors (food supplies, temperature, etc..) will affect the population increase in the next 50 years?

SummarySummary

nature and the scope of ecology:nature and the scope of ecology:

– Ecology is the study of relationships between organisms Ecology is the study of relationships between organisms and the environments.and the environments.

– It can be in different scales, from single organism to a It can be in different scales, from single organism to a ecosystems.ecosystems.

– There are many different approaches to study ecology. There are many different approaches to study ecology. – Temporal and spatial scales: Temporal and spatial scales: Field; Lab; Observational.Field; Lab; Observational.

biology 205 2

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