Ecology

• The study of interactions that occur among organisms and their environment.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-0rTICAT_c

Ecosystems• All the living organisms and the non-living

things in an area.

• What are the living and non-living things?

Is it alive?

Characteristics of all living things

1. Cellular organization

2. Contain similar chemicals (DNA)

3. Use energy4. Grow and develop5. Respond to their

surroundings6. Reproduce

So…..is it alive?

Biotic-alive or once alive.

• It will belong to one of the five kingdoms

• Monera, Protista, Fungus, Plant, Animal

Abiotic -non-living, physical features of an environment

• Includes- air, water, sun, soil, temperature, and climate (long term weather patterns)

All the biotic and abiotic parts of an environment play an important role

in the functioning of that ecosystem.

Niche (rhymes with itch)

• An organism’s role (job) in its environment.

– Includes how it obtains food and shelter, finds a mate, cares for its young, and avoids danger.

Biotic parts of an

ecosystem will belong to one of

the following

levels

Biotic Levels of Organization in an Ecosystem

• Organism – a single living individual

• Population – all the organisms of that species living in an area

• Community – all the populations of all species living in an area. (plants, animals, etc.)

• Ecosystem – all the living and non-living things in an area. (biotic and abiotic things)

Habitat

• The place where an organism lives

Types of habitats• Biomes- Large geographic areas that have

similar climates and ecosystems.

Biomes

• Tundra, Taiga, Deciduous Forest, Rain Forest, Grasslands, Deserts, Freshwater, and Marine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIy0ZlyPPDg

Homework• Describe how the following abiotic parts of

an ecosystem are important for your survival.

• air, water, sun, soil,

temperature, and

climate (long term

weather pattern)

Key Terms• Ecosystem• Habitat• Biotic factor• Abiotic factor• Photosynthesis• Species• Population• Community• ecology

• Population density• Estimate• Birth rate• Death rate• Immigration• Emigration• Limiting factor• Carrying capacity

Limiting Factors

•Food•Space•Weather Conditions

Carrying capacity is the largest population that an environment can support.

Limiting Factors• Are environmental

factors that prevents a population from increasing.

Key Ideas

• An organism’s habitat provides food, water, shelter, and other things the organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce.

• An ecosystem includes both biotic and abiotic factors.

• Ecologists study how the biotic and abiotic factors interact within an ecosystem.