Unit 3 - EcologyUnit 3 - EcologyEcology of Organisms
Ecosystem ComponentsEcosystem ComponentsBiotic vs
AbioticAlive vs Not
AliveWhat’s alive?What’s not
alive?What elements
are here?
Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentALL ENVIRONMENTS CHANGE!!
Day vs nightSeasonal changesTempertaureHumidityShade vs direct sunlight
Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironment
vs
Organisms in a changing Organisms in a changing EnvironmentEnvironmentTolerance curve: organisms can survive,
and perform, ideally, in a specific range of conditions. This curve expresses that range.
Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentWhat happens to weed yield
(number of weed plants) with increased weed density?
Draw a temperature vs homework productivity curve for you, a human.
Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentAcclimation: adjusting their
tolerance to abiotic factors
Acclimation vs Adaptation?
Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentEnvironmental fluctuations
◦Temperature◦Light◦Moisture◦Salinity◦Others?Conformers cannot change with the
environment.Regulators can.
Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentWhat kind of environmental
conditions are needed for conformers?
What kind of changes can a regulator undergo to acclimate to their environment?
Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentEscape from unsuitable
conditions.◦Dormancy – examples?
◦Migration – examples?
The NicheThe NicheThe specific role, or way of life, of
an organism◦Generalist – organism with a broad
niche Examples?
◦Specialist – organism with a small niche Examples?
The NicheThe NicheEverything that a species
interacts with in the environment. What is your niche?
◦How far have you travelled?◦What other organisms do you
interact with?◦Where do you get your food?◦Can two humans have a different
niche?