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