1 Principles of Ecology

2 What is Ecology?? The study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment.The study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment. It explains how living organisms affect each other and the world they live in.It explains how living organisms affect each other and the world they live in. The study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment.The study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment. It explains how living organisms affect each other and the world they live in.It explains how living organisms affect each other and the world they live in.

3 Ecology Continued… earthorganisms.The environment is composed of many levels such as a biosphere, which is the entire surface of the earth and its organisms. Includes trees, water, air, and land.  These are the combined portions of the planets in which all life exists. Includes trees, water, air, and land. earthorganisms.The environment is composed of many levels such as a biosphere, which is the entire surface of the earth and its organisms. Includes trees, water, air, and land.  These are the combined portions of the planets in which all life exists. Includes trees, water, air, and land.

4 What non-living things in your environment do organisms interact with? Question: What non-living things in your environment do organisms interact with?  Environments include abiotic & biotic factors. 1. Abiotic:non-living parts of an organisms environment 1. Abiotic: non-living parts of an organisms environment ( Examples include: temperature, light, water, nutrients, & air currents )  Abiotic factors affect an organism’s life. 2.Biotic:all living organisms that inhabit an environment. 2.Biotic: all living organisms that inhabit an environment. (Examples include: plants and animals)  All organisms depend on others directly or indirectly for food, shelter, reproduction, or protection.  Environments include abiotic & biotic factors. 1. Abiotic:non-living parts of an organisms environment 1. Abiotic: non-living parts of an organisms environment ( Examples include: temperature, light, water, nutrients, & air currents )  Abiotic factors affect an organism’s life. 2.Biotic:all living organisms that inhabit an environment. 2.Biotic: all living organisms that inhabit an environment. (Examples include: plants and animals)  All organisms depend on others directly or indirectly for food, shelter, reproduction, or protection.

5 Abiotic or Biotic? Biotic

6 Abiotic

7 Abiotic

8 Biotic

9 Levels of Organization

10 What are the Simplest Levels? AtomAtom MoleculeMolecule OrganelleOrganelle CellCell TissueTissue OrganOrgan SystemSystem AtomAtom MoleculeMolecule OrganelleOrganelle CellCell TissueTissue OrganOrgan SystemSystem

11 Levels of Organization Ecologists have organized the interactions an organism takes part in into different levels according to complexity.

12 Levels of Organization in Ecology Species- group of organisms similar that may interbreed together. Population-group of organisms belong to the same species & live in the same area. Communities-group of different populations living in a defined area. Ecosystem-collections of all organisms living in certain areas together. Biome-geographical region with several ecosystems that have similar climate & communities. Biosphere-the portion of the earth that supports life. Species- group of organisms similar that may interbreed together. Population-group of organisms belong to the same species & live in the same area. Communities-group of different populations living in a defined area. Ecosystem-collections of all organisms living in certain areas together. Biome-geographical region with several ecosystems that have similar climate & communities. Biosphere-the portion of the earth that supports life.

13 1 st Level of Organization Organism: An individual living thing that is made of cells, uses energy, reproduces, responds, grows, and developsOrganism: An individual living thing that is made of cells, uses energy, reproduces, responds, grows, and develops

14 2 nd Level of Organization Population: A group of organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the same place at the same time.Population: A group of organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the same place at the same time.

15 3 rd Level of Organization Biological Community: All the populations of different species that live in the same place at the same time.Biological Community: All the populations of different species that live in the same place at the same time.

16 4 th Level of Organization Ecosystem: Populations of plants and animals that interact with each other in a given area with the abiotic components of that area. (terrestrial or aquatic)Ecosystem: Populations of plants and animals that interact with each other in a given area with the abiotic components of that area. (terrestrial or aquatic)

17 5 th Level of Organization Biosphere: The portion of Earth that supports life.Biosphere: The portion of Earth that supports life.

18 The Biosphere Life is found in air, on land, and in fresh and salt water.Life is found in air, on land, and in fresh and salt water. The BIOSPHERE is the portion of Earth that supports living things.The BIOSPHERE is the portion of Earth that supports living things. Life is found in air, on land, and in fresh and salt water.Life is found in air, on land, and in fresh and salt water. The BIOSPHERE is the portion of Earth that supports living things.The BIOSPHERE is the portion of Earth that supports living things.

19 What level of organization? Organism

20 What level of Organization? Population

21 What level of Organization? Community

22 Levels of Organization All organisms depend on others for food, shelter, reproduction, or protection Cell  tissue  organ  system  organism  population  community  ecosystem  biosphere