“The niche of an organism depends not only on where it lives but also on what it does. It may be said that the habitat is the organism's ‘address’, and the niche is its ‘profession’, biologically speaking.”

Odum - Fundamentals of Ecology

Habitat vs. NicheNiche - the role a species plays in a community (job)

-Ex: a honey bees niche (job) is to pollinate flowers to make honey

Habitat- the place in which an organism lives out its life (address)

-Ex: the honey lives in the bee hive, which is in the forest.

Survival Relationships In Ecology - SYMBIOSIS

Studies have shown that most species survive because of the relationships they have with other species

The relationship in which there is a close association between organisms of different species is called symbiosis

Symbiotic Relationships

Biotic (LIVING) factors in an ecosystem interact in 2 major ways1. Symbiotic Relationships2. Feeding Relationships

Symbiosis- two species living together

3 Types of symbiosis:

1. Mutualism

2. Commensalism

3. Parasitism

Symbiotic RelationshipsMutualism- beneficial to both species (it is GOOD for both)

Ex. cleaning birds and cleaner shrimp

Symbiotic RelationshipsMutualism- beneficial to both species

Ex. lichen

Symbiotic RelationshipsCommensalism- one species benefits and the other is not harmed or helped

Ex. orchids on a tree

Epiphytes: A plant, such as a tropical orchid or a bromeliad, that grows on another plant upon which it depends for mechanical support but not for nutrients. Also called aerophyte, air plant.

Symbiotic RelationshipsCommensalism- one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped

Ex. polar bears and cyanobacteria

Symbiotic RelationshipsParasitism- parasite-hostOne organism benefits and the other is harmed

The parasite attacks while the organism is still LIVINGEx. fleas,ticks,tapeworm

What type of Symbiosis is pictured?

What type of Symbiosis is pictured?

What type of Symbiosis is pictured?

What type of relationship is pictured?

AutotrophsUse energy from the sun to make their food.

Also called ProducersExamples: Plants

Autotrophs or Producers

HeterotrophsOrganisms that do not make their own food

Also called a Consumer Consume other organisms in order to live

Ex. Rabbits, Deer, Lions, Humans

Heterotrophs

Feeding Relationships

Consumer- Organisms that eat (consume) other organisms for energy (animals)

4 types of heterotrophs/consumers:HerbivoresCarnivoresOmnivores

Decomposers

Feeding Relationships

Consumers- HerbivoresEat only plants

What is the Niche of a Herbivore?

Feeding Relationships

Consumers-Carnivores-Eat only meat

What is the Niche of a Carinvore?

Feeding Relationships

Consumer- Omnivores -eat both plants and animals

Feeding Relationships

Consumer- Decomposers

Eats dead and decaying matter. Returns matter to the soil.

What is the Niche of a Decomposer?

Scavengers

Scavenger: Organism eats the remains of a dead animal after another has already killed it

Predator - Prey

PREDATION (Predator – Prey): Organisms that hunt and kill another organism for food

As the PREY increase, so does the PREDATOR.

When the PREY decreases, so does the PREDATOR.

How are PREDATION and PARASITISM Different?

Both relationships are GOOD for one organism and BAD for the other

BUT: Predation = the harmed organism is DEAD when it is harmed

Parasitism = the harmed organisms is ALIVE when it is harmed