1. Intro to Ecology Notes

2. What is ecology? Ecology-The study of ecosystems and how they work
Ecosystem–A group of organisms and the environment they live in

3. Two things to know about ecosystems:
All living things are
interdependent.
Interdependent = They depend
on each other.
All ecosystems need
biodiversity.
Biodiversity = A variety of life.

4. The Parts of an Ecosystem
Abiotic Factors = non-living parts of the ecosystem. Examples:
Soil/Rocks
Water
Light

5. The Parts of an Ecosystem
Biotic Factors = living parts of the ecosystem

6. There are 3 roles in an ecosystem:
Producers = Organisms that make their own food using photosynthesis (plants, algae, etc)

7. There are 3 roles in an ecosystem
Consumers = Organisms that feed on other organisms (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores)

8. There are three roles in an ecosystem
Decomposers = Organisms that decompose/recycle dead or decaying material (bacteria, fungi, some insects)