Unit 3 - EcologyUnit 3 - EcologyEcology of Organisms

Ecosystem ComponentsEcosystem ComponentsBiotic vs

AbioticAlive vs Not

AliveWhat’s alive?What’s not

alive?What elements

are here?

Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentALL ENVIRONMENTS CHANGE!!

Day vs nightSeasonal changesTempertaureHumidityShade vs direct sunlight

Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironment

vs

Organisms in a changing Organisms in a changing EnvironmentEnvironmentTolerance curve: organisms can survive,

and perform, ideally, in a specific range of conditions. This curve expresses that range.

Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentWhat happens to weed yield

(number of weed plants) with increased weed density?

Draw a temperature vs homework productivity curve for you, a human.

Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentAcclimation: adjusting their

tolerance to abiotic factors

Acclimation vs Adaptation?

Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentEnvironmental fluctuations

◦Temperature◦Light◦Moisture◦Salinity◦Others?Conformers cannot change with the

environment.Regulators can.

Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentWhat kind of environmental

conditions are needed for conformers?

What kind of changes can a regulator undergo to acclimate to their environment?

Organisms in a Changing Organisms in a Changing EnvironmentEnvironmentEscape from unsuitable

conditions.◦Dormancy – examples?

◦Migration – examples?

The NicheThe NicheThe specific role, or way of life, of

an organism◦Generalist – organism with a broad

niche Examples?

◦Specialist – organism with a small niche Examples?

The NicheThe NicheEverything that a species

interacts with in the environment. What is your niche?

◦How far have you travelled?◦What other organisms do you

interact with?◦Where do you get your food?◦Can two humans have a different

niche?