1. Introduction to Ecology

2. Ecology  The study of the interactions that take place among organisms and their environment

3. Biosphere The part of the Earth that supports life

4. Ecosystem  All the organisms living in an area and the nonliving features of their environment

5. Biotic Factor  Living  Plants  Animals  Single-celled organisms  fungi

6. Abiotic Factors  Non-living  Air  Soil  Temperature  Sunlight

7. Population  Same species, same area

8. Community  All populations in an ecosystem

9. Habitat  Where an organism lives  “A habitat is where you hang your hat”

10. Ni che  The whole way of life of an organism

11. Competition  Interaction between organisms for food, space, sunlight, ect.  Within same species  Between different species

12. Limiting Factor  Anything that restricts the number of individuals in a population.  Includes living / biotic and nonliving / abiotic features of the ecosystem

13. Carrying capacity  The maximum number of individuals of any species that can be supported by an ecosystem

14.  Eating!! Energy Transfer