1. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Introducing

2. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX the study of the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors in environments Eco logy

3. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Ecosystem includes all abiotic and biotic factors in one particular environment Biotic Factors the living parts of an ecosystem Abiotic Factors the nonliving parts of an ecosystem

4. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Biotic Factors Bio include plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms biology biography biotechnology biosphere

5. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Abiotic Factors include air, water, soil, temperature, wind, source of energy (usually sun) A A a, an(G) prefix not, without atoxic amoral abiotic

6. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Examples of Abiotic Factors

7. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Levels of Organization smallest unit of living things group of similar cells organized to work together group of different kinds of tissues working together group of organs working together one individual living thing all organisms of the same kind living in one area all interacting populations in an ecosystem all living and nonliving things interacting within a certain area cell

8. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Producer Autotrophs Plants Algae Microorganisms Sources of all food in the ecosystem 6H 2 O + 6CO 2  C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 Contain the most energy based on the 10% rule

9. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Consumer AKA Heterotrophs 4 categories: Herbivore - Eat mainly plants. Prefix Herb=grass or herb Suffix vore = to eat Omnivore – Eat both plants & animals. Prefix Omni = all Carnivore – Eat mainly animals. Latin carnis = flesh Scavenger – Eat dead organisms http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/iText/products/0-13-064376-9/ch17/videoBlank.html?/ebook/products/0-13-064376-9/video/sx02vtlngoro.mov

10. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Decomposer Break down waste and dead organisms i.e. absorbing nutrients  return raw materials to the environment Important in recycling nutrients!!! Usually found on ground or low areas Examples: Bacteria Fungi

11. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX plants herbivores carnivores FOOD CHAINS Producers Primary consumers Secondary consumers Tertiary consumers MUCH FOOD WEBS But in real ecosystems, who eats who is MUCH more complicated…instead of food chains, ecologists usually talk about FOOD WEBS

12. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX The transfer of energy from sun  producer  primary consumer  secondary consumer  tertiary consumer can be shown in a FOOD CHAIN.

13. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Energy pyramids show That the amount of available energy decreases down the food chain It takes a large number of producers to support a small number of primary consumers It takes a large number of primary consumers to support a small number of secondary consumers

14. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Energy Pyramids

15. © 2006 Plano ISD, Plano, TX Food webs in real ecosystems can be VERY complicated. Even “simple” food webs can be VERY complicated Show interconnecting food chains in an ecosystem