ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

(MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER)

Life in the Ecosystem 1. Chemotrophs – Autotrophs that get
Ecosystem – is the structural and functional their energy from inorganic
unit of ecology where the living organisms substances, such as salt. They live
interact with each other. It is also a chain of deep down the ocean where there is
interactions between organisms and their no light. (Ex. Bacteria and Deep Sea
environment. Worm)

1. TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM – is a
land-based community of organisms HETEROTROPHS – organisms that do not
and the interactions of biotic and make their own food. (Ex. Rabbits, Deerr,
abiotic Mushrooms)
a. Forest – an area of land
● Consumers
dominated by trees and
1. Scavengers/Detritivores – feed on
animals.
tissue of dead organisms. (Ex. Vultures,
b. Grassland – vegetation is
Crows, Shrimp)
dominated by grasses and
2. Herbivores – eat only PLANTS. (Ex.
herbs.
Rabbits, Giraffe, Goats)
c. Tundra – a type of biome where
3. Carnivores – eat only MEAT. (Ex. Cats,
the tree growth is hindered by
Owl, Dogs, Lions)
low temperature.
4. Omnivores – eath both PLANTS and
d. Desert – a barren area of
MEAT (Ex. Orangutans, Chicken, Pigs,
landscape where little
Bears)
precipitation occurs, and are
5. Decomposers – absorb any dead
hostile for plant and animal life.
materials and break it down into
2. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM – ecosystems
nutrients or fertilizer.
present in a body of water.
a. Freshwater – is an aquatic ENERGY TRANSFER
ecosystem that includes lakes,
⎯ Only 10% of the energy is transferred
ponds, rivers, streams, and
according to the 10% Law.
wetlands.
b. Marine Ecosystem – includes TROPHIC LEVELS
seas and oceans, these have
⎯ Energy moves from one organism to
more substantial salt content.
another when it is eaten.
⎯ Main trophic levels are producer,
TRANSFER OF ENERGY consumers, and decomposers.

AUTOTROPHS – organisms that can use the FOOD CHAINS

energy in sunlight to convert water and
⎯ Energy from one trophic level to
carbon dioxide.
another
Ex. (Plants and Algae) ⎯ Simple and direct.
 o Primary Consumer – eat o Commensalism – one organism
autotrophs (producers). benefits and other is
o Secondary Consumer – eat unaffected.
primary consumers. o Parasitism – one benefits and
o Tertiary Consumer – eat the other is harmed.
secondary consumer.
o Decomposers – bacteria and
fungi that break down dead
POPULATION AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
organisms and recycle it back Population – Individuals part of a larger
into the environment. organizations. A group composed of
member of the species that live together.
FOOD WEB

⎯ Most organisms eat more than JUST ⎯ Population of organisms tend to

one organism. increase as far as their environment
⎯ More complex and involves lots of will allow.
organisms. ⎯ Lates trends in technology and
medical knowledge are available to
BIOMASS
control human population growth
⎯ Total mass of the organic matter at and to improve health.
each trophic level. ⎯ TWIRLA (levonorgestrel and ethinyl
⎯ Another term for potential estradiol transdermal system; Agile
energy–energy that has to be eaten Therapeutics).
and used.
POPULATION ECOLOGY – the study of how
TYPES OF BIOMASSES: various factors affect population growth,
o Wood rates of survival and reproduction, and risk
o Animal Manure of extinction.
o Sewage
o Trash/Garbage POPULATION DYNAMICS – the study of why
o Vegetable oils and animal fats populations change and what causes them
to change.
ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID
o Population Size – the number of
⎯ Shows the relationship between
individuals in a population at a given
consumers and producers at different
time.
trophic levels in a ecosystem.
4 FACTORS THAT AFFECTS POPULATION SIZE:
SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP
1. Natality – number of births
SYMBIOSIS – the relationship between two 2. Mortality – number of deaths
different individual species that live 3. Immigration – number of
together. Sym meaning together and bio individuals that enter.
means life. 4. Emigration – number of
o Mutualism – both organism individuals that leaves.
benefit.
Population Group = (natality + immigration)
– (mortality + emigration)
Population Change = (births + immigration) Post-productive age of a human is
– (deaths = emigration) over 45, reproductive 14-45 years,
pre-productive is 0-14 years old.

o Population Density – the number of

individuals per unit area. The
measurement of number of people in
an area or the average number.
1. Role of Ecologist – quantify
nature

MEASUREMENT OF DENSITY:

1. Total count method – Direct counting

of populations and its possible for few
animals.
2. Sampling method – Depends on the
type of organisms and its natural
abundance and distribution.
a. Plot-based method or Quadrant
– Widely used in plant studies.
(Total population = avg number
per quadrant x Total area of a
quadrant)
b. Capture based method

o Population Distribution / Dispersion /

Spacing – knowing the number and
density of individuals in an area
1. Clumped
2. Uniform
3. Random

o Age Structure – Scientists divide

population into three groups based
on age.
1. Post-productive – organisms
can no longer reproduce.
2. Reproductive – organisms
capable of reproduction
3. Pre-productive – organisms not
yet able to reproduce.