Ecology
The study of interactions between organisms and the living and nonliving factors around them.
Mutualism
Mutualism
A form of symbiosis in which both organisms benefit. The butterfly gets food and the flower gets pollinated, helping it reproduce.
A form of symbiosis in which both organisms benefit. The butterfly gets food and the flower gets pollinated, helping it reproduce.
Parasitism
Parasitism
A form of symbiosis in which one organism benefits while the other is harmed. The tick feeds on the host's blood while the host losses blood and may even be given a disease.
A form of symbiosis in which one organism benefits while the other is harmed. The tick feeds on the host's blood while the host losses blood and may even be given a disease.
Commensalism
Commensalism
A form of symbiosis in which one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. The cattle stir up bugs which the bird, a cattle egret, eats. The cattle aren't affected by the birds, but the birds benefit from the relationship.
A form of symbiosis in which one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. The cattle stir up bugs which the bird, a cattle egret, eats. The cattle aren't affected by the birds, but the birds benefit from the relationship.
Predation
Predation
One animal, called the predator, eats the other animal, called the prey.
One animal, called the predator, eats the other animal, called the prey.
Producers and consumers
Producers and consumers
The deer is a consumer because it eats the plants for energy. The plant is a producer because it produces glucose through photosynthesis.
The deer is a consumer because it eats the plants for energy. The plant is a producer because it produces glucose through photosynthesis.
Interacting with nonliving factors
Interacting with nonliving factors
The bear uses the cave for hibernating over the winter. Organisms interact with nonliving factors as well as other living things.
The bear uses the cave for hibernating over the winter. Organisms interact with nonliving factors as well as other living things.
Discussion points
Discussion points
How many wolves do you think were introduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995?
How many wolves do you think were introduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995?
Trophic cascades
Trophic cascades
Biotic and abiotic factors
Biotic and abiotic factors
Everything is interconnected (food web)
Everything is interconnected (food web)
Primary and secondary succession
Primary and secondary succession