Ecology Chapter 4The study of how organisms interact with one another and with the abiotic components in an area (ecosystem).

Ecosystem = a community of different organisms interacting…

Levels of organization

atoms

molecules

cells

tissue

organ

system

organisms

populations

communities

ecosystems

ecosphere

earth

Look at all these ecosytems and ecotones!

Look at all these ecosytems and ecotones!

Major Components of Freshwater Ecosystems

Producers (rooted plants)

Producers (phytoplankton)

Primary consumers (zooplankton)

Secondary consumers (fish)

Dissolvedchemicals

Tertiary consumers(turtles)

Sediment

Decomposers (bacteria and fungi)

Sun

Producer

PrecipitationFalling leaves

and twigs

Producers

Primary consumer(rabbit)

Secondary consumer(fox)

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Oxygen (O2)

Water

Soil decomposers

Soluble mineral nutrients

Fig. 3-10, p. 42

Major Components of a Field Ecosystem

MushroomWoodreduced

to powder

Long-hornedbeetle holes

Bark beetleengraving

Carpenterant

galleries

Termite andcarpenter

antwork Dry rot fungus

Detritus feeders Decomposers

Time progression Powder broken down by decomposersinto plant nutrients in soil

Fig. 3-12, p. 44

Detritivores

Fig. 3-13, p. 45

Decomposersbacteria, fungi)

Solarenergy

HeatHeat

Heat Heat

Heat

Abiotic chemicals(carbon dioxide,

oxygen, nitrogen,minerals)

Consumers(herbivores,carnivores)

Producers(plants)

Main Structural Components of an Ecosystem

Fig. 3-14, p. 45

Biodiversity