Introduction

Question 1

What is ecology?

Answer 1

the scientific study of the relationships

between organisms and their environment

Question 2

Environment

Answer 2

Must consider all factors, both direct and indirect,

that influence survival, growth, and reproduction.

Question 3

Relationships are

Answer 3

Interactions between an organism and its

surroundings, both physical and biological.

Question 4

Why is ecology important?

Answer 4

Better conservation
Better management
Better remediation, reclamation, and restoration
Better anticipate / avoid change
Develop medicines
Develop nature inspired design (biomimicry)

Question 5

What is measurable in a controlled lab experiment

may not hold up in nature. Why?

Answer 5

Complex systems have several moving pieces.
Confounding factors
Additional factors that are not accounted for when
determining cause and effect. (Murder vs. Ice Cream)
Interactions between factors or ecosystem components.

Question 6

Results must be:

Answer 6

Replicable