ECOLOGY

Basic Principles in Ecology

THE ECOSYSTE

M

THE ECOSYSTEM All organisms, their interactions with one another and their environments make up an ecosystem.

Biotic Factors

Producers

Consumers

Decomposers

Abiotic Factors

Water, soil

Temperature, wind

Light, nutrients (C, O, P, N, etc.)

TERMINOLOGIES:BIOTIC FACTORS = living components in an ecosystem

ABIOTIC FACTORS = non-living components in an ecosystem

HABITAT = part of an ecosystem where species live

POPULATION = group of similar species living in one area or habitat

ECOLOGICAL NICHE / NICHE = the way where organisms relate or pursue in their environment (surviving in an area)

TRANSFER OF ENERGY

IN AN ECOSYSTEM

TRANSFER OF ENERGY IN AN ECOSYSTEM

CONSUMER

Herbivores – eat plants

Carnivores – eat

animals

Scavengers – feed only on

dead organisms

Omnivores –eat both plants & animals

FOOD CHAIN Organisms in one level feed upon organisms at the lower level.

FOOD WEB It is a network of interacting food chains.

ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID This shows how energy is transferred and changed when going up the pyramid.

THREE TYPES OF ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDA. Pyramid of Energy – shows the

amount of energy in calories (Kcal / cal)

B. Pyramid of Biomass – shows the biomass of all organisms and individuals

C. Pyramid of Numbers – shows the number of individuals feeding at each tropic level

PYRAMID OF ENERGY

PYRAMID OF BIOMASS

PYRAMID OF NUMBERS

TAKE NOTE: These pyramids show that the biomass or numbers of individuals in each trophic level decreases along with the available energy.