lecture 1 Flashcards
(19 cards)
Ecology and factors
the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment
abiotic (physical and chemical) aka non living
Biotic (other organisms) living
most interested in the processes of
birth, death and migration
Two classes of explanation:
proximate vs ultimate
1. how (patterns explained by the present environment- explains it)
2. why patterns explained by the past environment (i.e. ecological experiences of ancestors through evolution)
steps to observing
- observe/discover
- question
- hypothesis
- sample/test, or experiment, or mathematical
4.conclude - communicate results
for conclude, how to not be bias
use math (statistical analysis)
Hypothesis
a prediction that can be tested
null vs alt hypothesis
and examples:
Null Hypothesis – no change or relationship
Alternative Hypothesis – prediction of change or relationship
ex:
Hg: mass bee deaths are not associated with varroa mite infestation
Ha: mass bee deaths are associated with varroa mite infestation
rely on statistics to
levels of certainty (or uncertainty)
Ex: how many fish species is in the ocean
Estimate: 100, level of uncertainty: 50% (likely can be half or double size of estimate, so estimate is meaningless)
The three ways to test a hypothesis are:
1.OBSERVATION AND SAMPLING
- EXPERIMENTATION
- MATHAMATIC
how do the abiotic and biotic factors influence the distribution and abundance of organisms. what are the questions that must be asked
where organisms live (distribution) and how many of them there are (abundance). and what the organism do
how do you explain/understand the ecological processes of birth, death, and migration
are key factors that determine changes in the size and structure of populations over time.
Male songbirds sing loudly during the breeding season. Explain a proximate cause and an ultimate cause for this behavior
Proximate cause: Increased testosterone in spring triggers brain pathways that cause the bird to sing.
Ultimate cause: Singing attracts mates and defends territory, increasing the bird’s chances of reproducing.
sampling and purpose
process of selecting a subset (sample) from a larger population to draw conclusions about the whole population.
Since it’s impossible to study every individual in a population, researchers use sampling to make inferences about the larger group.
observational study and purpose
a type of research where the researcher observes and records the behaviour, condition, or phenomenon without manipulating any variables.
To understand natural relationships or patterns without interference. It’s used when experimental manipulation isn’t possible or ethical.
experimental studies
manipulating one or more variables (independent variables) to observe the effect on another variable (dependent variable)
have control
statistics
study and analysis of quantitive data
3 classes of ecology:
Individual level: One organism with its environment.
Interactions with their biotic and abiotic environment.
Population level: A group of organisms and how they interact within their species and across species.
Abundance/distribution patterns of groups of organisms, and processes like birth, death, and migration.
Community level: Many species interacting together in an ecosystem
Interactions of multiple populations of different species.
individual ecology: evolutionary, physiological, behavioural
Evolutionary Ecology: Individuals as units of evolution, focusing on how evolutionary history shapes specializations.
Physiological Ecology: How individuals respond to the abiotic environment (like temperature, light, etc.).
Behavioral Ecology: How individuals respond to other individuals (biotic factors) in terms of behavior (e.g., mating, competition).
community ecology: ecosystem, conservation
Ecosystem Ecology: Energy, nutrient, and chemical pathways within ecosystems.
Conservation Ecology: A blend of evolutionary, population, community, and ecosystem ecology applied to conservation efforts.
