Ecology

Module 2

EcologyThe study of interactions between organisms

and their environment

Those that study ecology are ecologists

Organization of Life

Organization of LifeAll living matter can be organized

SMALLEST--> LARGEST. Ecology deals with the levels

OrganismsPopulationsCommunitiesEcosystemsBiomesBiosphere

OrganismsEcologists may study the behavior on an

individual organism.They may study its daily movements, feeding, or

breeding behaviors.

ExA deerA Shark

PopulationsA group of organisms of one species that

interbreed and live in the same place at the same time. Compete for food, water, mates, and other resources Resources determine how big/small a population is

They may also study growth rates of populations and predict future populations

Ex Many deer Endangered species

Communities

A collection of interacting populationsAll organisms in a community depend in

someway on the other organisms living there.Ecologists are concerned with studying the

effects on the community when a new species is added or removed.

ExHawks go up then mice go down

EcosystemAll the biotic and abiotic factors in an area from

an ecosystem.Ecologists are concerned with ecosystem stability

and knowing what keeps ecosystems stable.Ex

Rain forest

BiomeA group of ecosystems that together make up a

specific region for species to live

Similar climateTemperatureElevationRainfall

BiosphereThe biosphere is the

highest level of organization.

It is made up of the entire planet and all its living and nonliving parts

Ecologists are concerned with all interactions within the biosphere.

Living environment= Biotic factors

Living things are found in air, on land, in both fresh and salt water

The Biosphere is the portion of the Earth that supports life

Biotic factors= all living organisms

Nonliving factors= Abiotic Factors

EnvironmentAir currentsTemperatureMoistureLight Soil

Where and how organisms live

Every species has a particular function in its communityA Niche is the role a species plays in

a communityThe space, food, and other

conditions an organism needs to survive and reproduce are part of it’s nicheEx

Fungi= break down of organic matter Coyotes= keep rodents down

HabitatA place where organism lives out its

lifeEx bird in treesPrairie dog in grassland burrows

Several species share habitats, the food, shelter and other resources of that habitat are divided into separate niches