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  • A Guide to Ontarios Ecology Sector

  • Ecology Common Skills

    Commonly Requested Skills

    Sample Job Titles: Ecologist, Environmental Scientist, Biologist, Environmental Biologist, Forest Ecologist, Conservation Ecologist, Restoration Ecologist, Naturalist

    Technical Skills

    conducting field surveys to collect information about the numbers and distribution of organisms

    classifying organisms

    applying sampling strategies and employing a range of habitat survey techniques, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), aerial photography, records and maps

    conducting environmental impact assessments

    interpreting ecological and environmental data

    using specialist software programs

    habitat management

    knowledge of relevant environmental policy and legislation

    collecting and interpreting biological data for relationships between organisms and their environment

    identify, classify behavioural and ecological distributions of plant and animal species processing and reviewing environmental permits, licenses and related materials.

    Soft Skills

    excellent written and oral communication skills

    knowledge of the proceedings in a laboratory and field setting

    ability to prepare written reports and issue recommendations

    ability to liaise with and site managers, engineers, and planners, and other project stakeholders ability to work independently and in a team setting

    Educational Requirements & Experience

    Entry level positions: A bachelors degree in Science with specializations in Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology or a relevant field. Experience: 0-5 years

    Intermediate/Senior-level positions: Masters degree or higher in Science with specializations in Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, or a relevant field. Experience: 5-7 years Intermediate-Level, 10+ years for senior-level.

  • Ecology Employer List

    Employer List

    Altech Environmental Consulting Ltd. Aquafor Beech Limited BacTech Environmental Corporation Brock University Calian Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority CH2M Hill City of Brampton City of Guelph City of London City of Mississauga City of Toronto City of Vaughan Conservation Halton Credit Valley Conservation City of Toronto EcoMetrix Inc. ENVIRON EC (Canada Inc.) ENVIRON International Environment Canada exp Falcon Environmental Services Goldcorp Golder and Associates Grand River Conservation Authority Hamilton Conservation Authority Hoskin Scientific IMSphere Consulting Inc. Kawartha Conservation Kingston Economic Development Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Lakehead University McMaster University Ministry of the Environment Ministry of Natural Resources MMM Group Nature Conservancy Canada Natural Resources Canada Ontario Public Service Ontario Nature Otonabee Conservation Pinchin Environmental Queens University Region of Peel

  • Regional Municipality of Waterloo Ryerson University SENES Consultants Limited SNC-Lavalin Stantec The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation (TOARC) Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Totally Green Town of Aurora Town of Brampton Town of Caledon Town of Milton Town of Richmond Hill University of Guelph University of Toronto University of Waterloo University of Western Ontario Upper Thames River Conservation Authority Wilfred Laurier University Worley Parsons Group York University York Region

  • Ecology Profession Overview

    ECOLOGY PROFESSION OVERVIEW

    What is Ecology? Ecology is the study of the distribution and abundance of organisms, the interaction between organisms, the interaction between organisms and their environment, and structure and function of ecosystems. Source: http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/about-ecology/ What is an Ecologist? Ecologists study many diverse and complex relations among species, such as predation and pollination. The diversity of life is organized into different habitats, from terrestrial (middle) to aquatic ecosystems. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecology

    Job Titles

    Arborist

    Biologist

    Botanist

    Conservation Biologist

    Ecologist

    Environmental Biologist

    Environmental Scientist

    Wetland Biologist

    Wildlife Biologist

    Job Opportunities

    Conservation Authorities

    Private Consulting Firms

    Federal, provincial, municipal governments

    Universities

    Laboratories

  • Ecology Terminology

    Key Terms

    adaptive behavior - In behavioral ecology, this is any behavior which contributes to an

    individual's reproductive success and is thus subject to the forces of natural selection.

    adaptive management - a systematic process for continually improving management policies

    and practices by learning from the outcomes of operational programs

    adoption - when an organism permanently assumes the role of parent towards a juvenile

    individual which is not its offspring.

    aerobic metabolism - the process of cellular respiration that occur in the presence of oxygen

    age structure - the distribution of various age groups in a population (typically that of a country

    or region of the world), which normally forms the shape of a pyramid.

    agroecology - the science of applying ecological concepts and principles to the design,

    development, and management of agricultural environments

    agroecosystem - an assembly of mutually interacting organisms and their environment in which

    materials related to crop production are interchanged in a largely cyclical manner

    allee effect - a biology-related concept that is characterized by the relationship between the size

    of the population and the growth rate of the species.

    altruistic behavior - behavior in which the subject shows less of a concern for their own well -

    being and more for the welfare of others or offspring.

    anaerobic metabolism - the fermentation of organic compounds in which air is not breathed in.

    Contrary to aerobic respiration which needs oxygen to be carried out.

    Animal behavior - studied in ethology & zoology. the desire to understand animals and their use

    of communication, emotions, sex, and other behaviors.

    Applied ecology - the practice of employing ecological principles and understanding to solve real

    world problems (includes agroecology and conservation biology)

    area effect (island biodiversity) - the hypothesis that larger islands can support more species

    than smaller islands

    atmosphere - earth's atmosphere is composed of gases and water that are retained by

    earth's gravity and help the earth retain heat and reflect UV radiation.

    autecology - Also known as population ecology. It is a major sub-field of ecology that deals with

    the dynamics of species populations and how these populations interact with the environment.

    autopoesis - An organized self-contained system whose parts and systems integrate seamlessly

    in a relationship of form and function.

    autotroph - an organism who makes its own food from inorganic materials.

    Behavioral ecology - studies the ecological and evolutionary basis for animal behavior, focusing

    largely at the level of the individual

    biodegradable - capable of decaying through the action of living organisms

    biodiversity - diversity among and within plant and animal species in an environment

    Biogeochemistry - effect of biota on global chemistry, and the cycles of matter and energy that

    transport the Earth's chemical components in time and space

    biogeochemical cycle - the pathway through which a chemical, element, or molecule moves

  • through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

    Biogeography - the study of the geographic distributions of species

    bioinvader - non-native species

    biomass - the sum of all living living organisms in an area.

    biomass pyramid - also called an ecological pyramid, it is a graph that illustrates the productivity

    in a trophic level

    biome - The total complex of biotic communities occupying and characterizing a particular area

    or zone

    biosphere - the sphere of life; all living matter of the planet occupied by life

    biogeographic realm - is the largest scale of the Earth's surface based on the distribution

    patterns of plants and animals.

    biogeography - the study of the distribution of organisms, past and present, and of diverse

    processes that underlie their distribution patterns

    biological magnification - the increase in concentration of a substance

    biota - the total collection of organisms of a geographic region or a time period.

    biotic potential - under ideal conditions, the maximum rate of increase of a population in a

    given area

    boreal forest - forest areas of the northern North Temperate Zone, mostly made of coniferous

    trees, also known astaiga.

    community structure - a series of close knit groups that share common characteristics, they

    form a spider web pattern because of the natural divisions in the structure of the community

    camouflage - used to deceive or disguise from surroundings

    carbon cycle - is the biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere,

    pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth.

    carrying capacity - the maximum number of individuals an environment's resources can

    support, including the food and water available for the environment

    Charismatic megafauna - a species of large animal species with widespread popular appeal

    that environmental activists use to achieve conservation goals well beyond just those species.

    Examples include the Giant Panda, the Bengal Tiger, and the Blue Whale.

    Chemical ecology - which deals with the ecological role of biological chemicals used in a wide

    range of areas including defense against predators and attraction of mates

    climate - The long term average weather pattern in a particular place.

    climate change - change in weather conditions such as cloud cover wind speed, temperature,

    rainfall or humidity in a specific region.

    cohert - an individual in a population that is of the same species

    climax community - a biological community of plants and animals that has reached a constant

    state occurring when the species is best adapted to average conditions in that area

    climax-pattern model - a community is adapted to many environmental factors that vary in

    their influence over a region

    conservation biology - scientific study of the earths biodiversity and aimed at protecting

    habitats and species from extinction.

    conservation ecology - which studies how to reduce the risk of species extinction

  • commensalism - A symbiotic relationship between two organisms of different species in which

    one attains some benefits while the other is unaffected

    communication display - a pattern of behavior that is a social signal, sending others a message

    through different displays of movement, and voice

    communication signal - instinctive and learned behaviors by which animals send and receive to

    each other in information laden cues, encoded in stimuli.

    community - a group of various organisms living in the same environment

    community assembly theory - explains how environmentally similar sites have different species

    or similar species because of the resources they need or "niche requirements"

    Community ecology (or synecology) - studies the interactions between species within an

    ecological community

    consumer - an organism, usually an animal, that feeds on plants or other animals.

    competition - when organisms from the same or different species compete against each other

    for food, better living conditions, better reproductive success, or any limited resource where the

    most fit or most adapted individual comes out on top and thus survives and reproduces

    competitive exclusion principle - states that two species cannot both exist if they are competing

    for exactly the same resource. Therefore there is always one with a small advantage that will

    cause the other species in most cases to become extinct.

    composite signal - a signal used in order to communicate which has information within more

    than a single cue.

    coniferous forest - is a land biome, or large section of land

    cooperation - is the process of working or acting together, intentionally or not. It encompasses

    working in harmony, side by side, while also involving something as complex as the inner

    workings of a human being or even the social patterns of a nation.

    courtship display - Ritual social behavior between possible mates

    deciduous broadleaf forest - a forest in a more mild climate with dry seasons, where the tree's

    foliage changes with the varying seasons.

    Decomposition - process by which tissues of dead organisms break down to more simplistic

    forms of mater and organic material, freeing up the limited space in the biome

    density-dependent control - any factors that affect individuals of a population and that vary

    with population density.

    Desert ecology - The sum of the interactions between both biotic and abiotic factors of the

    desert biomes. including the interactions of plant, animal, and bacterial populations in a

    desert community.

    desert - a landscape that receives less than 10 inches of rain per year

    desertification - a process by which areas become desert-like wastelands with low biodiversity

    Demographics - the characteristics of human populations for purposes of social studies.

    demographic transition model - a model, which represents a shift from high to low birth rates

    and death rates as part of the economic development of a country

    denitrification - The breakdown of nitrates by anaerobic bacteria into other forms. Generally

    soil.

    density independent factor - A factor that affects the size of a population regardless of the

  • population density.

    detrital food web - a food web depicting energy flow from photoautotrophs through detrivores

    and decomposers

    detritivore - heterotrophs which consume decomposing bits of organic matter, such as leaf

    litter.

    decomposer - organisms that breakdown substances into simpler substances

    distance effect (island biogeography) - the unique assemblage of life form and species on an

    island

    dry woodland - a type of biome that forms when rainfall is averaging around 40 to 100

    centimeters, and also has many tall trees

    dominance hierarchy - organization of individuals into groups with a social structure.

    Dominance species - a species which characterizes and predominates an ecological

    community as measured by primary productivity or biomass.

    doubling time - the amount of time it a population takes to double its size.

    ecology - The study of interactions between organisms and their environment

    ecological literacy - is the ability to understand the natural systems that make life on earth

    possible

    ecological selection - ecological processes that operate on a species' inherited traits without

    reference to mating or secondary sex characteristic.

    Ecological succession - a focus on the understanding that directs vegetation change

    ecophagy - the consuming of an ecosystem

    Ecophysiology - which studies the interaction of physiological traits with the abiotic

    environment

    ecopoiesis - fabrication of a sustainable ecosystem on a currently lifeless, sterile planet

    ecoregion - a region defined by its geography and ecology

    ecosynthesis - the use of introduced species to fill niches in a disrupted environment with the

    aim of increasing the speed of ecological restoration.

    ecosystem - the total of interacting organisms (biocoenosis) and non-living things (biotope) in a

    specific environment

    Ecosystem ecology - which studies how flows of energy and matter interact with biotic elements

    of ecosystems

    Ecosystem function

    ecosystem modeling - The use of mathematics, computer programs and models to understand

    and predict ecosystem behaviour

    Ecosystem services - resources and processes that are supplied in a natural ecosystem that

    benefits organisms.

    ecotone - a transition area between two adjacent but different landscape patches

    ecotoxicology - looks at the ecological role of toxic chemicals (often pollutants, but also

    naturally occurring compounds)

    El Nio - a band of anomalously warm ocean water temperatures that occasionally develops off

    the western coast of South America and can cause climatic changes across the Pacific Ocean

    ecozone - an area that has characteristics of natural origin such as climate, terrain, vegetation,

  • etc. It is also the largest division of the Earth's surface filled with living organisms.

    endangered species - a species that contains numbers so low that it risks becoming extinct

    energy pyramid - a graphical representation designed to show the biomass or biomass

    productivity at each trophic level in a given ecosystem

    environmental restoration - repairing damages to an area caused by humans, natural disasters

    or industry.

    ethology - the study of animal behavior as behavioral ecology, a branch of zoology.

    eutrophication - an increase in chemical nutrients in the ecosystem. It may occur on land or

    in water. This increase of chemicals usually causes an increase or decrease of plant growth.

    evaporation - is the slow vaporization of water from either the soil or surface water.

    evolutionary ecology - (or eco-evolution) the evolutionary changes in the context of the

    populations and communities in which the organisms exist

    exotic species - introduced species not native or endemic to a habitat

    extinction - when organisms completely die off and there are no more of that organism left.

    exponential growth - is the growth of a population that is consistent

    emigration - leaving ones native region to go to another

    foundation species - is a species of dominant primary producer in an ecosystem both in terms of

    abundance and influence.

    founder effect - the accumulation of random genetic changes in an isolated population

    functional ecology - the study of the roles, or functions, that certain species (or groups thereof)

    play in an ecosystem

    Genetic bottleneck - is an evolutionary event in which a significant percentage of a population

    or species is killed or otherwise prevented from reproducing.

    geographic dispersal - when an organism moves into another region to join another community.

    Global ecology - examines ecological phenomena at the largest possible scale,

    addressing macro- ecological questions

    global warming - the warming of the Earth's average temperature of near-surface air and

    oceans

    grassland - and where grass or grass-like vegetation grows as the dominant form of plant life

    greenhouse effect - warming that results when solar radiation is trapped by the atmosphere,

    which is caused by gases that allow sunshine to pass through but absorb heat that is radiated

    back from the warmed surface of the earth

    habitat - Specific ecological or environmental areas that are inhabited by specific plants and

    animal species.

    habitat connectivity - Allowing for the conservation or maintenance of continuous or connected

    habitats, so as to preserve movements and exchanges associated with the habitat.

    habitat corridors - a strip of land that helps with the movement of a species between

    disconnected areas of their natural habitat.

    habitat fragmentation - a process of environmental change that involves the discontinuations,

    or fragmenting, of a species' natural habitat.

    homeostasis - the property of a system that regulates the internal environment and maintains a

    constant and stable condition. ex: endothermic animals maintain a constant body temperature.

  • host - an organism that has another organism on or in itself

    human ecology - a field of study that deals with relationships between humans and their

    societies; their natural, social, and created environments.

    indicator species - is any biological species that defines a trait or characteristic of

    the environment. The presence and/or abundance of organisms of these species are typically

    used to indicate the health and an ecosystem

    instinctive behavior - occurs when an animal has a particular internal state while it is in the

    presence of an external stimulation called a releaser

    Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis - a theory that tries to predict how a species diversity will

    change with changing levels of disturbance

    interspecific competition - this occurs when different species try to use the same resources in

    an environment

    Intertidal zone - Area exposed to the air during low tide.

    invasive species - a non-native species whose introduction to an area is likely to cause economic

    or environmental harm or harm to human health

    K-selected species - the species that is a group of strong competitors in a crowded environment

    and have fewer but stronger offspring.

    keystone species - keystone species is a species that has a disproportionate effect on its

    environment relative to its abundance. Such species affect many other organisms in an

    ecosystem and help to determine the types and numbers of various others species in a

    community.

    La Nina - when the ocean surface cools

    lake - a body of liquid on the surface of the Earth; it is considered a lake when it is not part of an

    ocean, is inland, and is fed by a river

    Landscape ecology - studies the interactions between discrete elements of a landscape

    learned behavior - a type of action or reflex that you learn

    Lek - type of animal territory in which males of a certain species gather to demonstrate their

    prowess before or during mating season

    lichen

    limiting factor - any essential resource that is in short supply in an environment

    lithosphere

    logistic curve - an S shaped curve that usually represents population growth.

    LotkaVolterra equation - an ecological predator-prey model

    macroecology - the study of large scale ecological phenomena

    mangrove wetland - mangroves are most often defined as trees or shrubs found in sub tropic

    climates. where plants "assemblage or mangal" and provide habitat for many marine organisms

    marine ecology - and aquatic ecology, where the dominant environmental milieu is water

    marine snow - tiny particles, including dead organic matter from the upper layers of the ocean,

    sinking deep into the ocean

    mark and recapture - used to estimate populations and find survival rates, movement and

    growth.

    migration - the movement of organisms from one place to another

  • mimicry - imitative behavior. animal species resembling one another.

    molecular ecology - a field of evolutionary biology concerned with applying

    molecular population genetics, molecular phylogenetics, and genomics to traditional ecological

    questions. Essentially the same as ecological genetics

    molecular engineering - any means of creating molecules through the use of technology

    monsoon - air circulation patterns that influence the continents north or south of warm oceans

    mutualism - A biological interaction between individuals of two different species, where each

    individual derives a fitness benefit. It includes relationships which

    are mutualistic, parasitic or commensal.

    natural selection - happens over a long period of time and is defined as a certain trait and how

    species with this trait can or cannot survive, and how it affects the reproduction of this good or

    bad trait. Therefore if a species carries a bad trait that lowers its survival rate its reproductive

    rate will lower as well.

    natural resource - naturally forming substances that are considered valuable in their natural or

    unrefined form

    negative feedback loop - feedback that reduces the output of a system. ex. when the

    temperature rises in a room, it turns off the thermostat so that the temperature remains stable

    neutralism - belief that changes in evolution are caused by random mutation rather than by

    natural selection.

    niche - a position or function of an organism in a community of related organisms.

    nitrification - the oxidation of ammonia with oxygen into nitrite

    nitrogen cycle - this is a continuous cycle by which nitrogen from the atmosphere and

    compounded nitrogen keeps getting exchanged through the soil into substances that can be

    taken up and used by green plants, what is left returns to the air as a result of denitrification.

    nitrogen fixation - conversion of nitrogen into nitrogen compounds (ex. nitrate and nitrite) that

    is carried out naturally by certain bacteria and algae.

    nutrient - provides nourishment and promotes growth.

    paleoecology - a science which seeks to understand the relationships between species

    in fossil assemblages

    parasite - an organism which survives with another through a symbiotic relationship with

    another organismits hostwhich it does not usually kill directly but does negatively affect.

    parasitoid - An organism that is a parasite for most of its life and will usually kill its host

    permafrost - permanently frozen layer of terrain found beneath the arctic tundra

    per capita - a measurement indicating "per unit of population"

    pheromone - a chemical which is typically given off into the environment as a signal which

    causes a natural behavioral response in members of the same species

    phosphorus cycle - the biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of phosphorus

    through the environment

    pioneer species - species that first inhabit an environment which was previously unoccupied

    pollination - a type of fertilization and reproduction where the transportation of pollen grains

    from plants to ovure- bearing organs. This takes place by either wind, water, or animal

    assistance

  • population density - the number of individuals of a species living per unit of an area.

    population ecology (or autecology) - deals with the dynamics of populations within species, and

    the interactions of these populations with environmental factors

    population pyramid - a graphic illustration which shows the age structure in

    a population (typically that of a country or region of the world), which normally forms the shape

    of a pyramid.

    population size - the number of individuals of a species in a particular geographic range.

    predation - the interaction among populations when one organism consumes another one.

    predator - an organism that lives by killing and consuming another living organism.

    prey - living organisms that predators feed on

    primary producer - an autotroph that obtains energy directly from the nonliving environment

    through photosynthesis or less commonly through chemosynthesis

    primary production - production of organic compounds from carbon through photosynthesis.

    This effects all life on Earth either directly or indirectly

    quadrat - 1. A piece of type metal used for filling spaces. 2. a rectangular plot of land extensively

    studied for its ecology

    rain shadow - A dry area of land that is leeward of a mountain range that results in arid or

    semiarid conditions

    reproductive base - includes all members of a population that are of reproductive and pre-

    reproductive ages.

    resource partitioning - when two or more species share, and compete for a resource in different

    ways in order for both species to coexist

    Restoration ecology - attempts to understand the ecological basis needed to restore impaired

    or damaged ecosystems

    R-selected species - A species selected for its superiority in variable or unpredictable

    environments

    run-off - the flow of water over land from rain, melting snow, or other sources

    savanna - A flat grassland with scattered trees in tropical or subtropical regions

    secondary succession - succession that occurs after the original population has been destroyed

    or disturbed, as with a forest fire

    selfish behavior - occurs when an individual, despite the impact it may have on the rest of

    the population, increases its own chances of reproducing

    selfish herd - how individuals in a group can act together without planned direction

    sexual selection - a trait that makes an individual more likely to find a mate than others. A

    microevolutionary process.

    sign stimulus - Fixed action patterns such as mating dances.

    signal receiver - The individual who is responding to the communication signals sent by the

    signaler.

    signaler - a way to capture attention from a species

    social parasite - A group or individual that latches on to another group or individual to benefit

    itself. This type of process affects the original pattern of the group its feeding off.

    social behavior - behavior of an individual towards society and members of the same species as

  • a whole.

    soil - the naturally occurring, unconsolidated or loose covering on the Earth's surface

    song system - a series of discrete brain nuclei used to produce and learn certain songs of

    songbirds.

    source-sink dynamics - a theoretical model used by ecologists to describe how variation

    in habitat quality may affect the population growth or decline of organisms

    southern pine forests - a forest consisting of a pine species that thrives in the sandy, dry, and

    nutrient-poor soil on the coastal plains of the south Atlantic and Gulf states.

    speciation - the evolutionary process where new biological species come about

    spring overturn - the mixing of lake waters through the melting of ice cover, the warming of

    surface waters, convection currents, and wind action occurring in spring

    sulfur cycle -

    stream - a flowing-water ecosystem that starts out as freshwater springs or seeps

    survivorship curve - a graph showing the number or proportion of individuals surviving at each

    age for a given species

    symbiosis - a non-predator prey interaction between individuals of different species.

    synecology

    system

    symbiosis - is a relationship between two or more individuals in a species mainly concerning

    food. (For example: if the species is competing for the same food, trying to avoid getting eaten

    or is attempted to eat the other.) There are five different types of symbolic relations that

    describe who benefits from the relation.

    territory - an area that one or more individuals defend against competition.

    threat display - a signal used by any certain species in order to show that the user intends to

    attack

    Theoretical ecology - the development of ecological theory, usually with mathematical,

    statistical and/or computer modeling tools

    total fertility rate - the average number of children that a mother bears in a population during

    their years of reproduction.

    trophic level - where an organism is on the food chainwhat it eats, and what eats it

    tropical rain forest - a biome characterized by regular, heavy rainfall, with a humidity of 80 plus

    percent, and biodiversity

    tundra - a permanently frozen, treeless expanse between the icecap and tree line

    of Arctic regions

    umbrella species - species which are selected for making conservation related decisions,

    typically because protecting these species indirectly protects the many other species that make

    up the ecological community of its habitat.

    ultra Plankton - a large breed of sea plankton found in marine environments.

    upwelling - when the flow of water is in an upward direction created by atmospheric winds that

    blow over the ocean's surface away from the coastline and cause deeper, colder, water to rise

    to the top.

    Urban ecology - the study of ecosystems in urban areas

  • umbrella species - species which are selected for making conservation related decisions,

    typically because protecting these species indirectly protects the many other species that make

    up the ecological community of its habitat.

    ultra Plankton - a large breed of sea plankton found in marine environments.

    upwelling - when the flow of water is in an upward direction created by atmospheric winds that

    blow over the ocean's surface away from the coastline and cause deeper, colder, water to rise

    to the top.

    Urban ecology - the study of ecosystems in urban areas

    virus - an infectious agent (that can only be seen by a microscope) that is capable of growing

    and reproducing outside of a host cell. Viruses can infect all forms of cellular life.

    warning coloration - a warning signal that prey uses to warn off predators

    water cycle - (a.k.a. hydrologic cycle) the nonstop movement of water on, above, and below

    Earth's surface. The water changes between liquid, vapor, and ice at different times during the

    cycle.

    water vapour - the gaseous state of water.

    watershed - the land where water from rain and snow melts drains downhill into a body of

    water (i.e. a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean).

    web of life - also known as the food chain, food network, or trophic social network. It describes

    the eating relationships between different species in a certain ecosystem.

    Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_ecology

  • Ecology Events

    Canadian Events

    BIOFOR Conference http://www.biofor.ca/

    Canadian Society for Ecological Economics (CANSEE) Annual Conference http://www.cansee.org/conference/2013-conference/

    Ontario Biology Day http://obd.biology.mcmaster.ca/

    University of Toronto Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Seminars http://www.eeb.utoronto.ca/news-events/EEBevents.htm

    York University Biology Seminar Series http://www.biol.yorku.ca/seminar-series-schedule-2013-2014/

    Ontario Biology Day http://obd.biology.mcmaster.ca/

    International Conferences

    Association of Fire Ecologys Regional Conference http://fireecology.org/conferences/upcoming-conferences/

    Conference on Ecological and Ecosystem Restoration (CEER) http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/CEER2014/

    EcoSummit Ecological Sustainability Annual Summit http://www.ecosummit2012.org/

    INTECOL Congress, Ecology http://www.intecol2013.org/

    International Chemical Ecology Summit http://www.icec2013.com.au/

    International Conference on Agricultural, Ecological and Medical Sciences http://www.iicbe.org/2014/02/06/38

    International Conference on Biodiversity and Climate Change (IBCC) http://www.icbcc.org/

    International Conference on Ecology, Ecosystems, and Climate Change http://www.nature.com/natureevents/science/events/

    International Conference on Ecology and Transportation (ICOET) http://www.icoet.net/ICOET_2013/index.asp

    International Society for Seed Science Meeting on Seeds and the Environment http://www.allconferences.com/conferences/2011/20111216031527

    International Statistical Ecology Conference (ISEC) http://isec2014.sciencesconf.org/

    International Conference on Systems Biology http://www.ontariogenomics.ca/event/2011-12-13/736

    ISEM Ecological Modelling for Ecosystem Stability in the Context of Global Change http://www.meteo.fr/cic/meetings/2013/ISEM/

    Models in Population Dynamics and Ecology International Conference http://www.usf.uos.de/mpde13/

    Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) 5th World Conference on Ecological Restoration http://www.ser2013.org/

  • Ecology Publications

    ECOLOGY PUBLICATIONS

    Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment American Journal of Botany American Midland Naturalist American Naturalist Animal Animal Behaviour Animal Biodiversity and Conservation Animal Conservation Animal Genetics Annals of Botany Annals of Forest Science Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics Annual Review of Environment and Resources Basic and Applied Ecology Behavioural Ecology Biochemical Systematics and Ecology BioControl Biodiversity and Conservation Biodiversity Science Biogeosciences Biologia Biological Bulletin Biological Conservation Biological Control Biological Diversity and Conservation Biological Invasions Canadian Field-Naturalist Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Canadian Journal of Forest Research Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology Canadian Journal of Plant Science Canadian Journal of Zoology Chemistry and Ecology Climate Change Community Ecology Computational Ecology and Software EcoHealth Ecologia Ecological Abstracts Ecological and Environmental Anthropology Ecological Applications Ecological Complexity Ecological Economics

  • Ecological Engineering Ecological Indicators Ecological Management and Restoration Ecological Modelling Ecological Research Ecological Restoration Ecological Questions Ecology Ecology and Society Ecology Letters Ecology of Freshwater Fish Economic Botany Ecoprint Ecoscience Ecosystem Health Ecosystems Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Endangered Species Research Entomological News Environment, Development, Sustainability Environment International Environment and Ecological Statistics FEMS Microbiology Ecology Fire Ecology Fish Physiology and Biochemistry Fisheries Fisheries Management and Ecology Fisheries Research Flora Folia Geobotanica Folia Zoologica GeoBiology GeoJournal Global Change Biology Global Ecology and Biogeography Insect Conservation and Diversity Insect Molecular Biology Insect Science Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management Integrative Zoology International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation International Journal of Biological Sciences International Journal of Botany International Journal of Ecology International Journal of Ecology and Development International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

  • International Journal of Forestry Research International Journal of Pest Management International Journal of Plant Sciences International Journal of Soil Sciences International Journal of Sustainable Development International Journal of Zoology International Microbiology Invasive Plant Science and Management Invertebrate Zoology Journal of Animal Ecology Journal of Applied Ecology Journal of Applied Sciences Journal of Avian Biology Journal of Biodiversity and Ecological Sciences Journal of Botany Journal of Coastal Conservation Journal of Ecology Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment Journal of Environmental Biology Journal of Environmental Monitoring Journal of Environmental Sciences Journal of Evolutionary Biology Journal of Experimental Botany Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology Journal of Fish Biology Journal of Forestry Journal of Human Ecology Journal of Insect Conservation Journal of Insect Science Journal of Marine Biology Journal of Marine Systems Journal of Natural and Environmental Sciences Journal of Nature Conservation Journal of Oceanography Journal of Pest Science Journal of Plant Biology Journal of Plant Ecology Journal of Plant Research Journal of Plant Sciences Journal of Vegetation Sciences Journal of Water and Soil Conservation Journal of Wildlife Management Journal of Zoology Land and Water Landscape Ecology Landscape Journal Mammalian Biology

  • Mammalian Species Mammal Study Marine and Coastal Fisheries Marine Biology Marine Ecology Marine Environmental Research Methods in Ecology and Evolution Molecular Ecology Molecular Ecological Resources Native Plants Journal Natural Resources Modeling Nature Nature Climate Change New Forests Plant and Soil Plant Biology Plant Biosystems Plant, Cell and Environment Plant Ecology Plant Ecology and Diversity Plant Ecology and Evolution Restoration Ecology Science Scientific American Seed Science Research Sustainability Science Systematics and Biodiversity Trends in Ecology and Evolution Trends in Plant Science Tropical Plant Biology Urban Ecosystems Water Research Wetlands Wetlands Ecology and Management Wildlife Biology Wildlife Research Zoology

  • Ecology Social Media Pages

    Ecology Social Media Pages

    Twitter

    @AnimalEcology @eco_center @Ecology_Center @ecologicalbuild @EcologyAction @ecologyconsult @EcologyGlobal @EcologyUpdate @ESA_org @fireecology @FunEcology @HumberEnviro @JAppliedEcology @JEcology @LALineArchitect @lesecologyctr @NCC_CNC @SpringerEcology @urbanecology @WindfallCentre

    LinkedIn Groups

    Animal Behaviour Biology Network C1 Working Group Forest Ecology Canadian Ecology Centre Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution Commercial Aquaponics Conservation and Ecology Volunteers Deep Ecology Today Ecological Urbanism Ecologists Terrestrial, Freshwater, Marine Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Ecology Action Ecology Professionals FEED- Foundation for Ecology and Education Fish Ecology Network Green World Group GIS for Ecology & Environmental Science Hydroecology Landscape Architects in Ecology Landscape Ecology and Planning Life Sciences Molecular Ecology of Fish

  • Plant Ecology Restoration Ecology Society of Biology Society for Conservation Biology Society for Tropical Ecology Soil Ecology and Biodiversity Stable Isotopes in Aquatic Ecology Sustainable Energy and Applied Ecology The Ecology Network The Fishologist Urban Ecology Center Water Environment

  • Ecology Training Opportunities

    Training

    Beacon Environmental http://www.beaconenviro.com/courses.aspx Conservation Ontario http://www.conservation-ontario.on.ca/events_workshops/ELC_portal/index.html ECO Canada Environmental Training http://www.eco.ca/training/online-training/ Environmental Expert http://www.environmental-expert.com/training/keyword-aquatic-ecology-2716/location-canada-ontario Humber College Ecology Courses http://calendardb.humber.ca/LIS/WebCalendar/CE/CourseOffering.do?name=ATHL_425 Living City Campus at Kortright https://www.thelivingcitycampus.com/workshops/professional-workshops Seneca College School Of Biological Sciences Training http://biochem.senecac.on.ca/ The Canadian Ecology Centre http://www.canadianecology.ca/?page_id=49 University of Waterloo Summit Centre http://uwaterloo.ca/waterloo-summit-centre/obbn

  • Ecology Software

    Ecology Software

    ADE-4 Biota CODA (Conservation Options and Decisions Analysis) ECOSIM GIS Software Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) RHABSIM VORTEX PVA Software

  • Ecology Professional Associations

    Ecology Professional Associations

    Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB) http://www.aspb.ab.ca/

    Association des Biologistes du Qubec http://www.abq.qc.ca/

    Association of Professional Biologists of British Columbia https://www.cab-bc.org/apb/index.php

    Canadian Botanical Association http://www.cba-abc.ca/cbahome.htm

    Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution (CIEE) http://ciee-icee.com/

    Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists (CSEB) http://www.cseb-scbe.org/

    Canadian Society of Biochemistry, Molecular, & Cellular Biology http://www.csmb-scbm.ca/index.aspx

    Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution (CSEE) http://csee-scee.ca/

    Canadian Society for Ecological Economics (CANSEE) http://www.cansee.org/

    Canadian Society of Zoologists http://www.csz-scz.ca/

    Entomological Society of Canada http://www.esc-sec.ca/

    Ontario Society for Ecological Restoration http://www.serontario.org/

    Partnership Group for Science and Engineering http://www.pagse.org/

    Society of Canadian Limnologists http://uregina.ca/~scl/

    Society of Canadian Ornithologists http://www.sco-soc.ca/

    The Society of Ecological and Coastal Research (SEACR) http://whalelab.geog.uvic.ca/seacr

  • Ecology Job Boards

    ECOLOGY JOB BOARDS

    Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution (CSEE) http://www.ecoevo.ca/en/jobs.htm

    ECO Canada http://www.eco.ca/

    Environmental Career Opportunities http://www.ecojobs.com/

    Good Work Canada http://www.goodwork.ca/jobs

    Indeed Canada Ecology Jobs http://ca.indeed.com/Ecology-jobs-in-Ontario

    Nature Conservancy Canada http://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/who-we-are/work-with-us/

    Natural Resources Canada http://jest-orae.psc-cfp.gc.ca/JEST-ORAE/advsrch.do?cnsrch=1&lang=en&p=0&di=114#res

    Ontario Provincial Government http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Jobs.aspx

    Planet Friendly Green Job Board http://www.planetfriendly.net/greenjobs.html

    Toronto and Region Conservation Authority http://trca.on.ca/careers/

    Work Cabin http://www.workcabin.ca/jobs