Ecology

• What is ecology?


  Ecology is the study of organisms and how they interact with each other and with their environment.
• What is an ecosystem?

  An ecosystem is a self-contained environment with characteristic species.
• What is a habitat?


  A habitat is a type of environment where a particular organism is found.
• What is a community in ecological terms?

  A community is made of all the organisms that inhabit a habitat.
• What is a population?

  A population is the number of a particular species found in a habitat.
• What are producers?


  Producers make their own food, such as plants.
• What are consumers?


  Consumers eat other organisms to get food, such as animals.
• What are herbivores?

  Herbivores eat plant matter only, such as caterpillars, bees, and rabbits.
• What are carnivores?


  Carnivores eat animal matter only, such as spiders, beetles, and wolves.
• What are omnivores?

  Omnivores eat both plant and animal matter, such as foxes, thrushes, and martens.
• What are decomposers?


  Decomposers eat dead organic matter, such as worms and woodlice.
• What does a food chain show?

  A food chain shows the feeding relationships between different organisms and the flow of energy.
• What is a trophic level?


  The position an organism occupies on the food chain is called a trophic level.
• Why is the length of a food chain limited?

  The length of a food chain is limited as energy is lost at each step of the food chain.
• What does the pyramid of numbers show?

  The pyramid of numbers shows the number of each species at each trophic level.
• What is a food web?

  A food web is when two or more food chains are linked together.
• What is interdependence in ecology?

  Interdependence is when two species depend on each other.
• How does altering one part of an ecosystem affect it?

  If you alter one part of an ecosystem, you will affect other parts.
• What is competition in ecology?


  Competition occurs when organisms compete with each other for resources.
• Give an example of competition in ecology.

  Grass and dandelion compete for light.
• What is adaptation in ecology?


  Adaptation is the way species change themselves or their behavior to suit a habitat better or avoid competition.
• Give an example of adaptation in grasshoppers.


  Grasshoppers have green camouflage and strong hind legs.
• Give an example of adaptation in rabbits.

  Rabbits live underground and have continuously growing teeth.
• What are the steps to study a habitat?

  1. Draw an aerial view of the habitat showing the main features.
  2. Record environmental factors:

  • Sal factors (pH, humus content)
  • Weather (wind, rainfall, temperature)
  • Physical features (aspect, altitude, topography)
  • Biotic factors (shade from trees)

  1. List the species present.
  2. Estimate the numbers of each species present.
  3. Analyze the results.
• How can species be identified in a habitat?

  Species can be identified using guidebooks and identification keys.
• What should be done with unknown organisms sampled from a site?

  Unknown organisms should be returned after identification, but photos can be taken.
• What is the estimation method for animal population using nets?

  Use nets such as plankton nets, butterfly nets, and sweep nets to estimate animal populations.
• How is a beating tray used in ecological studies?

  A beating tray collects arboreal invertebrates by placing a tray under a tree and beating branches with sticks.
• How does a pooter work?

  A pooter collects small invertebrates by sucking them through a tube while placing the other tube beside the animal.
• What is a pitfall trap used for?

  A pitfall trap collects small ground-dwelling invertebrates by sinking a jar into the soil and placing a lid on top.