Ecology is the scientific study of interactions and interdependence among organisms and between organisms and their environmnent. All of life, land, water and the atmosphere make up the biosphere (“sphere of life). This region includes those biotic and abiotic portions between 8 kilometers above Earth and 11 kilometers beneath the ocean’s surface. The biosphere is dynamic (constantly changing.).

HOW THE BIOSPHERE IS ORGANIZED From simplest to most complex, all living and nonliving parts of the Earth are organized: Species  Populations  Communities  Ecosystems  Biome  Biosphere You should learn the definitions of all six of the above parts.

METHODS OF STUDYING ECOLOGY Scientists use three basic approaches to ecological research. They apply the scientific method. These include observing, experimenting, and modeling.

SOME WELL-RESPECTED ECOLOGISTS/CONSERVATIONISTS JOHN MUIR in YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA

ALDO LEOPOLD, ECOLOGIST, AUTHOR, NATURALIST - Studied and taught courses at UW-Madison in the 1940’s. Wrote “A Sand County Almanac,” a book that became a standard for wise use of land. - -Lived in the sand prairie area of Wisconsin, near Baraboo. - He spend a great deal of time outdoors, - Studying nature - And the inter- - Dependence of - Living and non- - Living things.