Draw the following chart into your composition book: LIVING: NON-LIVING:

What’s Living? What’s Non-Living?

What is Ecology? Ecology - the study of the interactions of organisms with one another and with their environment. Ecologist – a scientist who studies ecology

Two Parts of an Ecosystem Biotic factors The living parts of an ecosystem Ex.: plants, animals, fungi, bacteria Bio = living; life Abiotic factors The nonliving parts of an ecosystem Ex: water, sunlight, oxygen, temperature, soil A = non; not; without

What are the biotic parts of this environment? The abiotic parts?

Levels of Organization in an Ecosystem Foldable: Levels of Organization in an Ecosystem Organism Population Community Ecosystem Biosphere * Leave space above each section label for an illustration.

Organism Single living thing

Population A group of individuals of the same species that live together.

Community All the different populations of species that live together in an area

Find examples of each level of ecological organization:

Ecosystems Made up of all the living andnonliving things (biotic and abiotic factors) that interact in a particular area Examples: prairie, mountain stream, ocean, forest

Ecosystems & Habitats An organism’s habitat provides it with the things it needs to survive: Food, water, shelter A single ecosystem may contain many habitats. Organisms live in different habitats because they have different requirements for survival.

Biosphere The part of Earth where life exists The biosphere includes the top portion of Earth’s crust, all the waters that cover Earth’s surface, and the atmosphere that surrounds Earth.

Biosphere The biosphere is made up of different environments that are home to different kinds of organisms. For example, desert environments receive little rain. Cactus plants, coyotes, and lizards are included in the life of the desert.

How is it all tied together?

Summary Do you think ecosystems have borders? Explain your answer.