Chapter 3: The Biosphere

Warm Up 4/20• What is Ecology? Explain in your words after looking at the

vocab.

3.1 – What is Ecology?• Ecology = Scientific study of interactions among organisms

and between organisms and their environments.

• Web of interdependence

Levels of Organization

OrganismOrganism

• Organism - an individual living thing • Ex) alligator, turtle, or egret.

OrganismOrganism

Population

Population

• Population - a group of individuals of the same species that live in one area.

OrganismOrganism

Population

Population

Community

Community

• Community - group of different species that live together in one area.

OrganismOrganism

Population

Population

Community

Community

Ecosystem

Ecosystem

• Ecosystem - all of the organisms that live in a place + the physical environment.

OrganismOrganism

Population

Population

Community

Community

Ecosystem

Ecosystem

Biome• Biome – group of ecosystems that share similar climates and type of organisms

Biosphere – the entire planet

Biodiversity• The assortment, or variety, of living things in an

ecosystem• Rain forests have more biodiversity than

other locations in the world, but are threatened by human activities.

Which biome has the greatest biodiversity?

• A keystone species is a species that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem.

keystone

Why are they called a “Keystone” species?

Bozeman - Biodiversity and Keystone Species

• Keystone species form and maintain a complex web of life.creation ofwetlandecosystem

increased waterfowlPopulation

increased fishpopulation

nesting sites for birds

keystone species

Example of Keystone Species

Keystone Species• How might the mountain lion be a keystone

species?

• What about the honeybee?

Biotic & Abiotic Factors • Biotic factors – any living thing in an environment that an

organism might interact with.• Examples for a Bullfrog?

• Insects it eats. Lilly pads it rests on. Algae/aquatic plants it hides in. Birds that prey upon them.

• Abiotic factors – any nonliving part of the environment. Examples?• Sunlight, heat, precipitation, humidity, soil type,…

How do these factors influence in each other?

3.2 Producers & Consumers• Primary producers / Autotrophs –

• First producers of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms

• Types of Primary Producers • Photosynthesis• Chemosynthesis (chemical energy used to

produce sugars)-Does not require light energy, found

in harsh environments!

Photosynthesis VS Chemosynthesis

Consumers• A.K.A - Heterotrophs• Rely on other organisms for energy and nutrients

Types of ConsumersHerbivore: Eat only plants

Deer, caterpillars, cowsOmnivore: Eat plants and animals

Humans, raccoons, bears, crowsCarnivore: Eat only animals

Hawks, snakes, lionsDetritivore: Feed on plant/animal remains and

other dead matterEarthworms, crabs, snails

Decomposer: Break down organic matterBacteria, fungi

Carnivore Herbivore

Omnivore

Scavenger Detritivore

Decomposers

What type of consumer?• Bacteria

• Decomposer• Pillbugs

• Detritivore • Raccoon

• Omnivore• Venus fly trap

• Carnivore• Slug

• Detritivore