Ecology

Ecology What is ecology? The study of how organisms (plants and animals) interact with the natural world. Life builds upon the physical properties and chemical reactions of matter.

Levels of Ecological Organization the organism is the most fundamental unit of ecology Similar organisms that breed to produce fertile offspring in their natural environment are members of the same species.

Levels of Ecological Organization Many organisms of the same species together makes up a population. The total number a species living in a defined region

Levels of Ecological Organization Many populations of different species living in the same place makes up a community.

Levels of Ecological Organization Groups of organisms together with their physical and chemical environments make up an ecosystem. Ecosystems may be natural or human-made.

Ecosystems What are some examples of human-made ecosystems? - farms - cities - gardens - aquariums

Levels of Ecological Organization Ecosystems with similar climate and soil types are linked together to form biomes.

Levels of Ecological Organization All biomes are linked together in a single biosphere that includes the land, water, and atmosphere at the surface of the earth and supports life.

Ecosystems Functional unit of a biome that ecologists study Natural ecosystems tend to be self-sustaining systems. Contains all the resources needed to support its organisms

Ecosystems What may interrupt an ecosystem’s stability? - natural disasters - human activity

Ecosystems What is the difference between a terrestrial and an aquatic ecosystem?

Ecosystems Within ecosystems, organisms live in their habitat, or “home”

Ecosystems Habitat- the place in an ecosystem where an organism prefers to live. It meets all the needs of an organism. Each living organism requires a certain set of physical and chemical conditions. The biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem are dependent upon one another. “Nothing can live alone.”

Ecosystems Biotic- living components of an ecosystem i.e. plants and animals

Ecosystems Abiotic- nonliving components of an ecosystem i.e. temperature, pH, salinity, light

Ecosystems Each organism occupies its own niche. An organism’s niche is its role or job in the ecosystem