Levels of Organization

Example: Goldfish in an aquarium

Population Limits Video

Habitat- The place where a particular population of a species lives

Community- the many different species that live together in a habitat Discovery Ed Video

Examples: individual fields, forests, or lakes Ecosystem- a community and all the physical aspects of its habitat, such as the soil, water, and weather. Examples: individual fields, forests, or lakes Video

Factors within an ecosystem Abiotic factors- The physical aspects of an ecosystem Biotic factors- The organisms in an ecosystem

Biodiversity- the number of species living within an ecosystem

Niche The role of a species in its ecosystem.

Ecosystem Inhabitants Most ecosystems contain a few large animals and some smaller animals. Ecosystems tend to contain more plants than animal life. The most plentiful organisms in an ecosystem are usually microscopic bacteria and protists.

Roles in a Food Web Producers- make their own food Consumers- eat other organisms Herbivores- eat only plants Carnivores- eat only animals Omnivores- eat plants and animals Detritivores- consume dead organic matter and waste Decomposers- break down and consume nutrients from organic matter.

Trophic Levels 90% of energy is lost at each level

Succession- a somewhat regular progression of species re placement - how new ecosystems are created 2 types: Primary- Succession that occurs where plants have not grown before Secondary- Succession that occurs in areas where there has been previous growth, such as in abandoned fields or forest clearings

Changes in Communities Video

First species to live in an area Usually fungi or bacteria Pioneer Species First species to live in an area Usually fungi or bacteria

A Keystone Species Video

Ecological Succession at Glacier Bay