Science 10 Mr. Francis 2.1 Biotic and Abiotic Factors in
Ecosystems
Slide 2
What is Ecology? Ecology is the study of how organisms interact
with each other and their physical environment. Ecologists are
scientists that study ecology Ecologists use different levels of
organization to guide their studies
Slide 3
Levels of organization First level of organization Organism a
single living thing We study behaviors, functions, anatomy and
physiology that organisms display in order to live in a specific
habitat Habitat is the specific area where an organism lives
Slide 4
Levels of Organization Second level of organization -
Population A Population is a group of organisms of the same species
that share a habitat What is a population we see in the North
Thompson? A species is a group of organisms that are capable of
reproducing and rearing viable offspring Viable means the offspring
can reproduce (not sterile) Mules, Zebroids, Beefalo, Ligers and
Wholphins are examples of hybrid organisms that cant reproduce with
their parent species successfully
Slide 5
Levels of Organization Third level of organization - Community
Populations of different species of living things collectively make
up the community Identify the different species that make up the
community within our local ecosystem
Slide 6
Levels of Organization The fourth level of organization is the
Ecosystem The Ecosystem is composed of the community (biotic or
living component) and the physical environment the community exists
in (abiotic or non living) Ecosystems are not defined by size or
complexity, can be as small as a decaying log or as large as an
ocean Earth can be viewed as a giant Ecosystem, ecologists refer to
the area on, in, and around earth where life is found as the
Biosphere.
Slide 7
Examining the Ecosystem The parts of an ecosystem can be
categorized as either biotic factors or abiotic factors Biotic
factors are the living components in an ecosystem (Plants, Animals,
Bacteria, Fungi) Abiotic factors are the non-living components of
an ecosystem (temperature, wind, water, sunlight, oxygen There is a
strong connection between abiotic and biotic factors in ecosystems.
Abiotic factors determine what living things can be successful in a
given area Living things affect the abiotic component of the
environment, this can again influence what lives in a certain
area
Slide 8
Finding a balance There will always be changes within
ecosystems Dynamic Equilibrium is the balance point at which the
composition of the ecosystem does not change, even though small
changes are occurring within the ecosystem Limiting Factors are the
most important factors in determining what organisms can exist in
an ecosystem. The amount of rain or sunlight determines what
vegetation can grow in an area.
Slide 9
Assignment P. 24 # 1-4, 7, 8 Be sure to title the assignment
appropriately Section 2.1 Abiotic and Biotic Factors in Ecosystems
P. 24 # 1-4, 7,8. Put your name and date on it Provide full
sentence answers where appropriate
