Intro to Ecology

What is ecology? Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with one another and with the environment.

What is an ecosystem? An ecosystem is a community of organisms and their non-living environment.

Biotic: living things that are part of the ecosystem, like plants and animals Abiotic: non-living parts of the ecosystem like soil, water, and sunlight

Your turn!! Turn to the person next to you and tell them one example of a biotic factor, and one example of an abiotic factor.

What is a Limiting Factor? Limiting Factors are… Biotic and abiotic factors of the environment that limit the growth of a species.

What is a Limiting Factor? Populations would continue to increase if they had all of the resources they require in unlimited amounts, but there are always factors that limit their increase. Limiting factors control population growth.

The picture to the right shows an animal living in its environment. TALK ABOUT IT!! With the people at your table, discuss what factors in the environment may limit the population of the animal pictured.

What is Carrying Capacity? Because of these limiting factors, each ecosystem has a finite (limited) capacity for growth connected to its carrying capacity.

What is Carrying Capacity? Carrying capacity is the number of individuals of a species that an ecosystem can support.

What are the levels of organization in an ecosystem?

Organism: one single living thing (individual) Population: a group of interbreeding organisms in the same area Community: ALL organisms living in one area

YOU TRY IT!!! In your notes, fill in the Ecosystem Pyramid for the Florida ecosystem that you live closest to.

Take out a sheet of paper. Create an inverted pyramid that shows individual through ecosystem. The pyramid will be of the savanna in Africa. (Think Lion King)

Savannah Challenge Write a paragraph explaining what would happen if a wildfire limited the growth of grass in the savannah. Now turn to your partner and read theirs. Give them two positive remarks and two helpful remarks about their paragraph. Circulate the papers and read the rest of the tables Grade you own work out of 5pts

Bell work 10-1 EXPLAIN how predators would be considered a limiting factor. Use each scenario below to explain what would happen if the predator population increased and what would happen if it decreased. Use the savanna Use Ravenwater Pond

Limiting Factors Foldable Food Predators Shelter Disease Soil Water Space

Inside Foldable How is it a limiting Factor on one tab Ravenwater pond example on another Limiting Factor tab – book definition one tab and in your own words on another.

Bellwork Explain how space is a limiting factor and then give an example using five biotic and three abiotic factors in Ravenwater pond.

Grab an Ipad when I call your table Log in to canvas Modules Limiting Factors Web Quest Click Grey Bar Start Write answers on a sheet of paper to be turned in.