Ecos= “the house”

-ology= study of

Ecology is the scientific study of

interactions among organisms and their

environment

This includes relationships between

living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic)

parts of the world.

OrganismCommunity

Ecosystem

Biosphere

Population

One of the most important

characteristics of a species

niche, is how that species

obtains energy

The Producers (Autotrophs):

Use the sun’s energy to

manufacture their own nutrients

The Consumers

(Heterotrophs):

Organisms that feed on other

organisms to obtain nutrients

and energy

1st Level consumers- feed

only on autotrophs

(Herbivores)

2nd Level Consumers- feed

on other heterotrophs

(Carnivores)

Top Level

Consumers- top of the

food chain

Scavengers- do not

kill for food, feed on

animals that have

already died

Decomposers- break

down dead or decaying

plants or animals into

simple molecules,

return nutrients to soil

A food chain is a model to show how energy and matter move

through an ecosystem.

Arrows are used to indicate the direction of energy transfer (from

one organism to the next).

Food Webs shows all the possible feeding relationships

between organisms in the community.

A food web is a more realistic model of energy flow.

Energy decreases and you move up the pyramid because it is lost to the environment form of HEAT!!

Only 10% of the energy from one trophic level is available for the next level

The number of Individual organisms decrease as you move up the pyramid.

Some organisms use different strategies to balance energy used to get food with the type of energy gained from that food.

Organisms use energy to obtain food (more energy)• A coyote uses energy to chase mice

• Birds use energy to migrate to a location with more food rather than staying in a cold climate.

Examples:• Migration

• Switching type of

prey based on availability

• Hibernation or dormancy