Ecology The interaction between the organisms and their environment

Environmental Organization Population- all the members of a species Community- all the populations in an area ECOSYSTEM- the community (biotic) and the non living factors (abiotic)-soil, water, air, light, minerals in an area Biosphere- the portion of earth in which life exists

Stable Ecosystems Constant supply of energy Living organisms that can use the energy to make organic compounds (autotrophs) Recycling of energy (decomposers)

Limiting Factors- Determine the number and type of organisms that live in an area (EX. Temp, water, food) Biotic Factors Producers- does photosynthesis Consumers- eat producers and/or other animals Herbivore-eats plants, Omnivore- eats plants and animals, Carnivore- eats animals Decomposers- break down dead organisms, and recycle nutrients (bacteria, fungi)

Habitat- the place where an organism lives Niche- the role the organism plays in the environment Biomes- large geographic areas on earth that can be described by climate (EX-land Biomes- tundra, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, tropical rainforest, grassland, desert, Aquatic Biome- most stable, smallest change in temp, and largest in size)

Preserving Biodiversity Increases the survival of species in the face of large environmental changes Increases stability of ecosystem Assures availability of genetic material, variation May lead to future discoveries in medical and agricultural research significant to human survival