Everything is Connected Ecosystems Everything is Connected

Essential Question How are different components of an ecosystem related to and affected by one another?

Ecology The study of how living things interact with each other and their environment.

Ecosystems Are all connected No clear boundaries Animals move Soil erodes and washes away Pollen spores and seeds move between ecosystems

What do ecosystems need? Energy Nutrients CO2 H2O O2 Living organisms

All ecosystems get their energy from the sun Except…..

Black Smokers

Hydrothermal vent Discovered in 1977 Mid-Atlantic ridge Derive no energy from the sun All energy comes from within the earth Up to 700oF Diverse life

Biotic Factors in Ecosystems Living and once living Plants Animals Waste Decomposing organic matter

Abiotic Factors in Ecosystems Nonliving Air Water Rocks Light Temperature

Organism An individual living thing. Are you an organism…… …….or an ecosystem?

Species A group of organisms that can produce fertile offspring Are lions and tigers different species? Liger: male lion, female tiger 10 ft. tall, 1000lbs largest feline Tigon: female lion, male tiger Smaller, 300lbs

Tigon Liger

Population A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area Inbreeding Isolation

Community A group of different species that interact with one another Only biotic factors (difference with ecosystem)

Habitat The place where an organism lives. Describe your habitat.