DOWEN COLLEGE LAGOS

WORK AT HOME BIOLOGY WEEK 3 ECOLOGY WORKSHEET SS 2

WEEK DATE 27TH APRIL – 1STMAY, 2020.
SUMMER TERM NOTE 2019/2020 SESSION
WEEK 3 ECOLOGY
BASIC ECOLOGY CONCEPTS
What is Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. The
term comes from the Greek oikos and logos which means 'study of house', or the study of the
place we live in. Ecology is also known as environmental biology. Ecology is a practical science
involving;
- the measurement of factors affecting the environment
- studying the distribution of living organisms, and
- finding out how living organisms (depend on one another and their non-living environment for
their survival.

DIVISION OF EARTH INTO'SPHERES':

 The lithosphere consists of the earth's crust and upper part of its mantle.
 The atmosphere is what we call 'the air,' or the mixture of gases held around the earth by
its gravitational pull.
 The hydrosphere is the sum total of all of earth's water in any form, whether it's on the
ground as liquid or ice, or in the clouds as water vapor.
 The biosphere is the fourth sphere, and consists of the places where life can be found.
Since life exists in the air, on and in the earth, and on and in water, the biosphere
overlaps, connects, and influences all of the other spheres - and they all affect the
biosphere.
Considering the sheer number of organisms on earth, however, the biosphere is actually
fairly small in size.

IMPORTANCE OF BIOSPHERES
The study of the biosphere is the basis for ecology, the study of life and its interactions with the
physical environment..
All of these spheres interact with one another through many different means, such as the water
cycle and biogeochemical cycles like the carbon and nitrogen cycles.
AUTECOLOGY AND SYNECOLOGY
Ecology is broadly divided into Autecology and synecology, Autecology focuses on the
relationship between an organism or population and the environment whereas Synecology looks
at communities and the environment.

Ecology is studied on several levels of organization and their interactions with both living
(Biotic) and non-living (Abiotic) environment.
Organism – physiology, evolution, behaviour of organisms in relation to environmental factors.
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WORK AT HOME BIOLOGY WEEK 3 ECOLOGY WORKSHEET SS 2
WEEK DATE 27TH APRIL – 1STMAY, 2020.
Population – interactions of individuals of the same species, living in the same environment
Community – studies the interactions of all living organisms that are living in the same area
Ecosystem – emphasizes energy flow (energy from producers to consumers) and chemical
cycling among organisms and the abiotic environment. It is the space containing a group of
interactive organisms the green plants are the producers which use energy from the sun to
manufacture food/chemical energy (photosynthesis) which other organisms (consumers) directly
or indirectly obtain. The herbivores are the primary consumers and the carnivores are secondary,
tertiary and Quaternary consumers
Biosphere – includes the entire portion of Earth that is inhabited by life. Stud.ies global effects
of climate change, ozone depletion, mass extinction etc.
Niche- This is the role played by a species within an ecosystem. It involves the feeding of the
organism, and how it feeds, what it excretes and how it reproduces in its habitat.

Measurement Of Ecological Factors

Ecological factors that require measurement are: rainfall, temperature, wind, relative humidity,
pressure, light, pH, turbidity, depth of water, slop etc. These ecological factors and the
instruments used in measuring them are outlined below:
Instrument Functions/uses
i. Rain gauge - Measuring the amount of rainfall
ii. Minimum and maximum mercury
In glass thermometer - Measurement the lowest and highest temperature of the
day
iii. Anemometer Measuring the speed of wind
iv. Wind vane Indicate the direction of wind
v. Hygrometer Measures relative humidity
Vi Barometer Measures pressure
vii. Photometer or light meter Measures light intensity on land
viii. HydrophotometerMeasures light intensity in water
ix. Colorimeter or pH indictor Measures acidity or alkalinity of soil or solution
x. Tullgren funnel Compares the numbers and types of animals in
difference soil samples
xi. Baermannfunnel For collecting tiny organisms that live in soil water
xii. Sacchi disc Measures the turbidity or transparency of water
xiii. Tape Measures height and length of objects
xiv. Depth gauge or depth meter Measures the depth of running or standing water
xv. Thermograph For long period recording of temperature and relative
humidity
xvi. Meter rule Measures the length of objects
xvii. Water speed meter Measures speed of water flow
xviii. Slope gauge Measures slope of an area of land

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 DOWEN COLLEGE LAGOS
WORK AT HOME BIOLOGY WEEK 3 ECOLOGY WORKSHEET SS 2
WEEK DATE 27TH APRIL – 1STMAY, 2020.

ECOSYSTEM AND ITS COMPONENTS

Ecological Factors
Meaning: Ecological factors are those factors in the environment which can influence living
organisms or cause changes in any habitat, be it aquatic or terrestrial habitat.
Ecological factors are grouped into two categories Biotic and Abiotic factors.

Biotic Factors
The biotic factors are made up of the effects and/or the interactions of other plants and animals
on a given organisms Examples of biotic factors are:
i. Competitions: Competition involves the interactions among two organisms of the same
species or different species where there is struggle for limited resources e.g food, water, space
and light (common to plants) in which one neither outgrows the other nor survives while the
other cannot grow nor survive.
iiParasitism: This is a close association between two organisms in which one called the parasite
lives in or on,and feeds at the expense of the other organisms called the host. The parasitic
benefits from the association while the host usually suffers harm or even die.
iii. Commensalism: Commensalism neither is an association between two organisms living
together in which only one (the commensal) benefitted nor is harmed.
iv. Predation: Predation is a type of association between two organisms in which the predator
kills the other called the prey and feeds directly on it.
v. Pathogens: These are micro‐organisms which can cause diseases in plants and animals
leading to their reduction through death.
vi. Mortality: Mortality is the death rate of organisms (plants or animals) in an environment.
Mortality generally reduces the population of organisms in any habitat.
vii. Migration: This is the movement of organisms either into a new habitat (immigration) or out
of a habitat (emigration). These movement usually have effects on the other organisms inhibiting
that habitat.
viii. Dispersal: Dispersal is the spreading of new individuals from their parents to new habitat so
as to start a new life in the new environment. Such spreading habits may affect the lives of other
organisms in the new area.
ix. Natality: This is the rate of giving birth to new offspring. Natality is generally known to
increase the population of the habitat which will subsequently lead to certain problems among
the organisms in that habitat.
x. Food: Availability of food in a habitat generally leads to increase in population while lack of
food leads to starvation and dearth.
xi. Diseases: Diseases are known to reduce the population of organisms (both plants and
animals) in any habitat.
xii. Pest: Pest are also known to affect the performance of plants in terms of yield and growth, in
severe cases, the plants may even die.

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WORK AT HOME BIOLOGY WEEK 3 ECOLOGY WORKSHEET SS 2
WEEK DATE 27TH APRIL – 1STMAY, 2020.

Abiotic Factors
The abiotic factors comprise the following;
1..Climatic factors: These are temperature, rainfall, wind, pressure, sunlight or sunshine,
humidity e.t.c.
ii. Chemical factors: These are made up of oxygen carbon dioxide, mineral salts, water and
nitrogen.
iii. Edaphic factors: These consist of soil, its water (Soil Waater), chemical and physical
composition(), its pH, its nutrient, profile, structure and texture.
iv. Topographic factors: These are caused as a result of the shape of the earth’s surface, e/g.
effects of rivers, hills, mountains and valleys.

Ecological Factors common to all Habitat.

Factors affecting or common to all habitats (both aquatic and terrestrial habitats) include:
i. Temperature
ii. Rainfall
iii. Light
iv. Wind
v. Pressure
vi. Hydrogen ion concentration (pH).
vii. Of these factors, temperature and rainfall determine the major biomes of the world.

Temperature
i. Temperature determines the vegetation of an area
ii. It is necessary for the germination of seeds
iii. It affects the distribution of plants and animals
iv. It regulates the activities of majority of the living things.
v. High temperature affects evapo‐transpiration and reduces the performance of animals.
vi. It affects the wilting of field crops, ripening and maturity of crops.
vii. It leads to loss of soil nutrients through volatilization
viii. Unfavourable temperature may result in seed dormancy.

Rainfall
i. Rainfall determines seasons in some places e.g Nigeria where we have rainy and dry seasons.
ii. It determines the type of vegetation in an area.
iii. It determines the distribution of plant and animals
iv. Rainfall provides a dwelling place or habitat for some organisms, e.g, fish, crab, shrimps, sea
weeds etc.
v. Rainfall is necessary for seed germination.
vi. It helps to dissolve nutrient in the soil thereby making them available to plants
vii. It is the main source of water in rivers, ponds, lakes, oceans etc.
viii. Plants use water for photosynthesis.

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WORK AT HOME BIOLOGY WEEK 3 ECOLOGY WORKSHEET SS 2
WEEK DATE 27TH APRIL – 1STMAY, 2020.
Wind
i. Wind determines seasons in Nigeria, for instance, the South‐West wind is responsible for rainy
season while the North‐East wind brings harmattan or dry season.
ii. It helps in the distribution of rainfall
iii. It can aid the spread of diseases
iv. It aids the pollination of flowers
v. It also aids the disposal of seeds and fruit.
vi. High velocity wind may cause wind erosion
vii. Wind is responsible for water currents and waves.

Light
i. Sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis to take place in green plant.
ii. It affects evapo‐transpiration.
iii. It affects the productivity of crops due to length of day, i.e., photosynthesis.
iv. Light affects flowering and fruiting in plants
v. Light is the ultimate source of energy for all organisms.
vi. It affects the activities of animals, e.g. some animals are active during the day while others
are active at night.

Pressure
i. Atmospheric pressure decreases as one goes up from the sea level
ii. In aquatic environment, pressure increases as one move down the water.
iii. Plants and animals have special adaptations of a particular level of pressure to enable them
survive.
iv. Too high or too low pressure will affect the lives and activities of plants and animals.
v. Pressure is responsible for the movement of winds.

Hydrogen Ion Concentration (pH)

i. pH values range from 1 to 14, with pH 1 being very acidic, pH 7 neutral and pH 14 very
alkaline.
ii. Living organisms are highly sensitive to pH changes.
iii. Too high or two low pH will affect the lives and activities of plants and animals.
iv. Plants and animals are adapted to special pH values. E.g. pH of fresh water is low while
marine pH is high.
v. Most plants thrive well in neutral or slightly alkaline soil while acidic soils support little
vegetation.

Ecological Factors Common to Aquatic Habitats

Factors affecting or common to aquatic habitats are:

i. Temperature
ii. Rainfall
iii. Wind
iv. Light
v. Pressure

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WORK AT HOME BIOLOGY WEEK 3 ECOLOGY WORKSHEET SS 2
WEEK DATE 27TH APRIL – 1STMAY, 2020.
vi. Hydrogen ion concentration (pH)

These factors have been explained above. Other factors not explained are:

vii. Salinity: Salinity is defined as the degree of saltiness or concentration of salt solution in
water. Salinity is low in fresh water, high in sea water and moderate in brackish water.
Aquatic organisms need to maintain the osmotic balance between their body fluids and their
aquatic surroundings to survive. For example, organisms living in fresh water will require some
adaptive features to enable them get rid of excess water that enters their bodies while those in sea
water equally have adaptations to enable them cope with excess water in their bodies.

viii. Turbidity/Transparency: Turbidity is caused as a result of suspended materials in water.

Clear water has low turbidity is also influenced by season. It is higher during the rainy season
than in dry season. Turbidity reduces light penetration into the water, resulting in the inability of
aquatic green plants to carry out photosynthesis, and it causes pollution.

ix. Dissolved Gases: Dissolved gases in this case refer to oxygen and carbon dioxide. The
oxygen concentration of water decreases with depth. Oxygen is required by most aquatic
organisms for respiration. It is also required for the decaying of organic substance. Carbon
dioxide is required as raw materials for photosynthesis.

x. Density: Density of water varies with the types of aquatic habitats. While the density of pure
fresh water is 1.00, that of sea water is 1.028 at atmospheric pressure and 00C. organisms like
fish, have streamlined bodies which enable them to move easily through water while other
organisms which float on the water surface are sensitive to changes is
density.

xi. Current: Water currents increase aeration and the turbidity of the water. It also affects the
distribution of aquatic organisms. The type of organisms found in an aquatic habitat is affected
by the speed of water current. For example, animals living in fast moving waters usually have
structures for attaching themselves to rock surfaces so that they
cannot be swept away.

xii. Tidal movement and waves: Tidal movements and waves affect the organisms in certain
level of the water attach themselves to substances or may even live in burrows. Some may
possess hard body cover to prevent evaporation of water from their bodies. In the open sea, wave
cause the aeration of the surface waters, enabling aquatic organisms tohave sufficient supply of
dissolved gases for their respiration.

Ecological factors common to terrestrial habitats

Factors affecting common to terrestrial habitats are:
i. Temperature
ii. Rainfall
iii. Wind
iv. Light

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WORK AT HOME BIOLOGY WEEK 3 ECOLOGY WORKSHEET SS 2
WEEK DATE 27TH APRIL – 1STMAY, 2020.
v. Pressure
vi. Hydrogen ion concentration pH

These factors have been discussed under factors common to all habitats. Other factors not
discussed are:
vii. Relative humidity: Relative humidity is the amount of water vapour in the air. It results in
the formation of rain. Relative humidity affects the performance of plants and animals, and also
determines their distribution. Low humidity causes aridity or dryness of a place. It also wheat is
grown in northern Nigeria during harmattan.

vii. Edaphic or soil factors: These include:

a.Soil type: The of soil determines the fertility of the soil. It also determine the type of
vegetation found in an area. Soil types determine the type of crops to be grown. They equally
determine the porosity and water retaining capacity, e.g. while sandy soil is porous and cannot
retain water, clay soil is not porous and can retain water.

b. Soil texture: Soil texture refers to the degree of coarseness or fineness of soil particles. It
determine the type of soil in an area, the level of soil fertility and the type of crops to be grown.
Soil texture affects the level of leaching and erosion.

c.Soil structure: Soil structure refers to the arrangement of the various soil particle in the soil. It
determines the fertility of the soil, and its water retaining capacity. It also affects the level of soil
organisms as well as the level of soil aeration and percolation.

d.Moisture content: Moisture content is the amount of water available in the soil. It affects the
type of vegetation of an area, the distribution of plants and animals. It also determine the fertility
of the soils as well as the growth of plants in the habitat.

viii. Topographic factors or land surface: Topographic factors or land surfaces include:
a. Elevation: Elevation refers to the height of the land above the sea level. It affects the growth
of plants and the level of erosion in an area. It also determines the distribution of plants and
animals.
b. Type of drainage: Drainage is the removal of excess water from the soil. It affects the
availability of water in the soil and determines the growth of plants in the area. Excessive
drainage leads to soil erosion and poor growth of plants.
c. Degree of Exposure: The degree of exposure of the land is affected by rainfall and vegetation
cover. Low degree of exposures ensures the availability of nutrients to plants and the distribution
of plants and animals. It also has effects on erosion and evaporation.

WATCH THIE VIDEO

() Introduction to Ecology
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-ecology/hs-introduction-to-
ecology/v/ecology-introduction

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 DOWEN COLLEGE LAGOS
WORK AT HOME BIOLOGY WEEK 3 ECOLOGY WORKSHEET SS 2
WEEK DATE 27TH APRIL – 1STMAY, 2020.
() Ecology
https://youtu.be/GlnFylwdYH4?t=101

Ecological terms e.g. Organism, Population, Communityetc

https://youtu.be/EdKhQVHc3Ao?t=85

Ecosystem
https://youtu.be/sKJoXdrOT70?t=42

Evaluation

What is () Ecology () Autecology () Synecology () Ecosystem

State two ways factors that affect Ecology or the components of ecology

State some examples of () Abiotic factors () Biotic factors

N.B: Write your name and your class. Provide well numbered answers according to the questions. Send
to your subject teacher via the email address below:

Mr. Anjorin: talk2yemnow1@gmail.com

Mr. Jegede: olusolaj255@gmail.com

Mr, Aniboh: austineaniboh@gmail.com