Ecological Organization
What is Ecology?
Study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.
Eco = home
What is an Abiotic Factor?
A NON living part of an environment. Ex: rock, water, air.
What is Population Density?
The number of individuals within a unit of area; how close together they are = density.
Ex: Number of humans in one city block.
What factors can influence population size?
(give at least 3)
birth rate, death rate, immigration, emigration, migration, predators, disease, etc.
What is CARRYING CAPACITY of a population?
What is a Biotic Factor?
A LIVING or ONCE living part of an ecosystem. Ex: Squirrel, tree, tree stump, leaves on ground, etc.
On a white board, draw an example of RANDOM DISTRIBUTION of organisms.
Drawing should have NO PATTERN.
When the BIRTH RATE is HIGHER than the death rate, how is the population changing?
Population is growing; getting bigger.
What is an example of a DENSITY-DEPENDENT factor?
A factor that affects populations with HIGH density - Ex: Competition, predators, disease.
What is the Biosphere?
Bio = Life ; sphere = Earth
Give THREE examples of ABIOTIC Factors in this classroom.
Ex: Air, computer, floor, windows, white board.
On a white board, draw an example of UNIFORM DISTRIBUTION of organisms.
Drawing should have CLEAR PATTERN.
When the DEATH RATE is HIGHER than the birth rate, how is the population changing?
The population is declining; getting smaller.
What is an example of a DENSITY-INDEPENDENT factor?
A factor that affects populations regardless of density - Ex: Natural disasters like floods, fires, landslides; extreme weather - heat waves or cold fronts.
Give an example of a community found in nature
Ex. Fairmount Park Community - squirrels, trees, birds, groundhogs, foxes, raccoons, deer, etc.
Give THREE examples of BIOTIC factors in this classroom.
Ex: students, snakes, paper, plants, etc.
On a white board, draw an example of CLUMPED DISTRIBUTION of organisms.
Drawing should show arrangement in clumps - organisms are found near resources (ex. food and water).
What is the difference between IMMIGRATION and EMIGRATION?
Immigration = coming IN to an area
Emigration = going OUT of an area
Which has a higher BIOTIC POTENTIAL: a cat or a human AND WHY?
A cat - can have multiple babies at once and length of pregnancy is shorter. Can produce more offspring than a human can!
What is the difference between a population and a community?
Population - One species in one area
Community - All different species in one area
Explain why a DEAD organism (ex. dead mouse) is still considered a biotic factor.
If it was ONCE alive = biotic factor. Still biotic factor even after death.
Which is the most common distribution found in nature: Random, Uniform, or Clumped?
Clumped - organisms most often found in clumps near available resources such as food and water.
How is MIGRATION different from Immigration and Emigration?
Migration is seasonal movement - ex. Canadian Geese migrate south during the winter.
What LIMITING FACTORS affected the Golden Toad in the Cloud Forest?
Density Independent - warmer weather, low humidity
Density Dependent - trees cut down