Topic 1.1

Introduction to Ecosystems

Ecology: Organizing living thing in their environments

• Individual: One organism (one Elk)

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• Population: Group of individuals of the same species (herd of elk)

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• Community: All the living organisms in an area

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• Ecosystem: All the living and nonliving component in a given area

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• Biome: large area with similar climate conditions that determine plant and animal populations

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• Biosphere: A planet supporting life

Defining Ecosystems Boundaries

• Boundaries of ecosystems always overlap
• There are five different types of ecological boundaries
• Physical boundary
• Cultural boundaries
• Territorial boundaries
• Range boundaries
• Associative boundaries

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Defining Ecosystems - Physical Barrier

• Topographical, hydrological, climatic, or geological that physically limit interactions between organisms.
• Local Examples:

Cascade Mountain Range

Columbia River Gorge

Transition from dry slopes of Eastern Cascades to great basin sagebrush step around Madras

Defining Ecosystems - Cultural Barrier

• This kind of boundary occurs between sub-groups of a population
• Not “visible”
• Examples: Songs of sparrows may differ by regions. Sparrows with different dialects will not breed together
• Often a behavior and there are no physical barriers separating sub-groups of populations

Defining Ecosystems - Territorial Boundaries

• These kinds of boundaries of the ecosystem arise between individuals or groups of individuals e.g. wolf packs, bee-eaters, lions, monkeys, etc. remain enforced to live together.

Defining Ecosystems - Range Boundary

• Factors like a geographical obstacle, availability of resources, historical pattern of migration, seasonality, etc, maintain these boundaries
• Example: Mule Deer Migration Range, Grand Teton National Park

Defining Ecosystems - Associative Boundary

• Such boundaries are among different associations of individuals due to some biotic interactions like competition, predation, mutualism, etc.
• Example: For example, empty sand halos around patch coral reefs are caused by predation on algae by reef residents.

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Resources Drive Species Interaction

• Species have to interact regularly for various reasons
• One main reason is for energy resources
• These break down to several types: Symbiosis, Predator-prey, competition

Competition

• Individuals attempt to consume or use the same resources
• Interspecific – between two different species
• Intraspecific – between the same species

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Resource Partitioning

• Competition can involve using the same resource in different ways, including different places, or times.
• Allows for more species to thrive.

Predator-Prey

• Predator (carnivore), eats the other organism.

Herbivory

• Herbivory is a type of biological interaction whereby an organism, known as a herbivore, consumes principally autotrophs or their products
• Tree = primary producer
• Deer = primary consumer

Symbiosis

• Symbiosis – long term interaction between 2 species
• Mutualism – both benefit
• Commensalism – one benefits, one is unaffected
• Parasitism – one benefits, one is harmed

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Species Interactions Summarized

Crash Course

https://youtu.be/KQF9WdZrH_c?si=J7IuJMBHsfJ4w7JO

Today’s Activity

• Complex Ecosystem Simulation Lab
• We will start today and finish up on Monday
• Work in teams of two
• Complete the lab DIGITALLY and turn in on google classroom. Each member should turn in their own assignment

Other Resources

• Ecological relationships, Amoeba Sisters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNjPI84sApQ
• APES For Everybody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IMCElvN0lk

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