Ecology Basics and Biomes Explained

Ecology Basics and Biomes

Fundamental Ecology Terms

Environment

Environment is the framework within which living beings develop. Everyone needs a minimum for survival, as the difference.

Ecology

Ecology is the science studying the interactions of organisms with the environment.

Population

Population is a group of individuals of the same species occupying a particular geographic area.

What happens when population increases?

Intraspecific competition.

What is intraspecific competition?

Occurs between individuals of the same population to obtain resources.

Competition (Interspecific)

Competition takes place between two populations competing for food resources.

Ecological Interactions

Mutualism

Mutualism occurs between two species and is beneficial for both.

Parasitism

Parasitism: One species benefits, and the other is harmed. Example: lice and humans.

Predation

Predation: One species benefits (the predator), and another is eaten (the prey).

Commensalism

Commensalism: One species benefits, and the other is not affected.

Ecosystems

What is a set of species in a geographical area?

Ecosystems.

Ecosystem

An Ecosystem is the sum of the biotope (physical place) and biocenosis (all living things that occupy a place).

Biomes

Biomes are large geographical areas characterized by specific climate and vegetation types.

Tundra Biome

Characteristic of the Arctic. It snows more than nine months.

Taiga Biome

Has more than nine months of winter. Vegetation includes fir and pine. Animals include wolves, hares, etc.

Deciduous Forests

Temperate areas. Trees include oaks, beeches, chestnuts, and walnuts. Animals include deer, bears, foxes, and wolves.

Mediterranean Forests

Warm and dry period with little rain. Vegetation includes oak bushes and aromatic plants such as Rockrose, Rosemary, and Thyme. Animals include lynx, rabbits, rodents, birds of prey, wild boar, and reptiles.

Tropical Forests

Warm and humid climate year-round. Contains large trees. Animals include primates, birds, and reptiles.

Grasslands, Steppes, or Savannas

Low rainfall. Savannas have tall grasses and scattered trees. Animals include zebras, antelopes, giraffes, lions, and cheetahs. Plains are predominantly herbaceous vegetation; no arboreal species.

Deserts

Very high temperatures. Scarce rainfall. Bright light. Vegetation includes cactus, forming oases. Animals include reptiles, insects, and small rodents.

Aquatic Biomes

There are two main types of aquatic biomes:

• Freshwater: Rivers, lakes, and lagoons. Variable depth, low salinity. Vegetation includes microscopic algae and aquatic plants. Animals include fish, amphibians, birds, and certain mammals like the otter.
• Marine: Seas and oceans. Two zones differ by salinity and depth. One zone is shallow (coastal/neritic), the other is open sea with great depth (oceanic).

Food Chain and Trophic Levels

Food Chain

A Food Chain is a linear diagram indicating the nutritional relationships between organisms in an ecosystem.

Trophic Levels

Each level in a food chain is a trophic level.