EcologyEcology

Class Notes 2Class Notes 2

I. What is Ecology?I. What is Ecology?

A. A. EcologyEcology is the way is the way organismsorganisms (living (living things) interact with their things) interact with their environmentsenvironments (surroundings).(surroundings).

B. The part of the Earth that supports life B. The part of the Earth that supports life is called the is called the biospherebiosphere

C. Levels of OrganizationC. Levels of Organization

5. Biosphere

4. Ecosystem

3. Community

1. Organism

2. Population

Continued…Continued…

1.1. An An organismorganism is a single living thing. is a single living thing.

2.2. A A populationpopulation is a group of the same is a group of the same species of animals living together at the species of animals living together at the same place, at the same time.same place, at the same time.

3.3. A A communitycommunity is many different is many different populations living together at the same populations living together at the same place and time. place and time.

Continued…Continued…

4. An 4. An ecosystemecosystem is the community and the is the community and the surrounding surrounding abioticabiotic factors. factors.

5. The 5. The biospherebiosphere includes all of Earth’s includes all of Earth’s ecosystems. ecosystems.

II. EcosystemsII. Ecosystems

A. An ecosystem is made up of both living A. An ecosystem is made up of both living and nonliving componentsand nonliving components

1. Abiotic1. Abiotic factors are the parts of an factors are the parts of an environment that are not livingenvironment that are not living

2. Biotic 2. Biotic Factors are living things in an Factors are living things in an environmentenvironment

B. Cycling of MatterB. Cycling of Matter

1.1. In an ecosystem, certain elements are finite and are In an ecosystem, certain elements are finite and are cycled through the biotic and abiotic components of the cycled through the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem over and over.ecosystem over and over.

2.2. Important matter that is cycled includes: oxygen, Important matter that is cycled includes: oxygen, water, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus. water, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus.

SummarySummary

List some examples of biotic and biotic List some examples of biotic and biotic factors. What elements are recycled in an factors. What elements are recycled in an ecosystem? ecosystem?