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Biology 260 : Ecology

Professors Jen Klug and Tod Osier

Lecture: T, F 11-12:15 Klug

Labs: 2- 4:50 M, W OsierT, Th Klug

Labs meet BNW N309

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Sept. 5first lecture

Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri.

Active outdoor lab – dress for weather

Indoor lab – bring calculator

Week ofSept. 1

Week ofSept. 8

Week ofSept. 15

Week ofSept. 22

Outdoor lab – dress for weather

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Outline

Who are we?

What is Ecology?

What will this course be like?

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Who are we?

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What is Ecology?

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What do ecologists study?

What questions do they ask?

How do they answer questions?

What is Ecology?

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What do ecologists study?

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Organism – fundamental unit of ecology; an individual living being bounded by a covering which separates it from its environment

Organismal ecologists focus on how the organism interacts with its environment to survive and reproduce

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Population – group of organisms of the same species that live in a particular area

Population ecologists focus on changes in the number of individuals over time

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Community – many populations of different species living in a particular area

Community ecologists focus on consequences of interactions among populations

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Ecosystem – communities of organisms and the physical and chemical components of their environment

Ecosystem ecologists focus on movement of energy and matter through different compartments

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What questions do they ask?

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Salmon River, East Haddam

Organism - focus on survival and reproduction

Wild Riceindividuals

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Salmon River, East Haddam

Population - focus on birth and death

Wild RicePopulation

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Salmon River, East Haddam

Community - focus on interactions b/wpopulations

Populations of maple, hickory, and oak trees

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Salmon River, East Haddam

Ecosystem - focus on flow ofenergy and matter

Tidal riverecosystem

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Osier

Klug

Poincelot

Brousseau

M. Hill

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How do ecologists answer questions?

1. Observation and description

2. Development of hypotheses

3. Testing of hypotheses

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Salmon River, East Haddam

What would you doto describe andobserve this system?

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Salmon River, East Haddam Patterns

Common reed (Phragmites) isincreasing alongthe banks of theriver

Nitrogen contentof the river is increasing

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1. Observation and description

2. Development of hypotheses

3. Testing of hypotheses

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Patterns

Common reed (Phragmites) is increasing along the banks of the river

Nitrogen content of the river is increasing

Hypothesis = explanation of pattern

Increases in nitrogen stimulate Phragmites growth

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1. Observation and description

2. Development of hypotheses

3. Testing of hypotheses

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3. Testing of hypotheses

Predictions

Experiments

Models

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Predictions: If nitrogen levels in the river arereduced, increase in Phragmites shouldstop

Correlation vs. causation problem

Hypothesis

Increases in nitrogen stimulate Phragmites growth

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Experiments: grow Phragmites under differentnitrogen conditions

Hypothesis

Increases in nitrogen stimulate Phragmites growth

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Models: model spread of Phragmites underdifferent nitrogen scenarios

Current area of Phragmites

Future area of Phragmites

growthor decline

= function of nitrogenbut also temp, water flow, oxygen etc.

Hypothesis

Increases in nitrogen stimulate Phragmites growth

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What is Ecology? - Summary

Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and between organisms and their environment.

Ecological systems are arranged hierarchically from organisms to the biosphere.

Ecologists use a variety of approaches to answer both basic and applied questions.

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What will this course be like?Structure

Environmental variability

Organisms

Ecosystems

Populations

Species interactions

Communities

Applied Ecological Issues

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What will this course be like?Grading

Lecture: 70% of grade- midterm 1 15%- midterm 2 20%- midterm 3 20%- cumulative final 35%- in-class assignments/quizzes 10%

Lab: 30% of grade- lab exam 40%- in-class assignments/quizzes 20%- final presentation 25%- participation 15%

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http://faculty.fairfield.edu/jklug/ecology03/ecology03.htm

Lecture outlines – up by 9 am

Lab handouts will be available on the web

Download and read handouts before each lab- pay attention to section on attire- pop quizzes (easy) to ensure that you

come prepared

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What will this course be like?Rules

1. Tardiness – if you’re late, don’t be disruptive

2. Attendance – your choice

3. Courtesy – if someone else is talking, don’t

4. Honesty – temptation to cheat is huge, don’t do it