Ecology Study of the interactions of organisms with one another and with their physical surroundings.

Earth is a Living Planet Earth is a single living system. It is a biosphere.

A view of Earth from space A Central Park woodland Approaching Central Park (the red rectangle in the middle of this photo) An eastern gray squirrel Figure 1.2.1

A Hierarchy of Interactions Organismal ecology (individual) Population ecology (group of individuals) Community ecology (all organisms in a particular area) Ecosystem ecology (all organisms and abiotic factors)

Ecosystems consists of a given area’s physical features (______________) and living organisms (______________). abiotic factors biotic factors

B. ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE 1. abiotic factors – ____________________   1. abiotic factors – ____________________ examples: __________________________ nonliving components water, light, heat, gases, minerals   2. Biotic factors – organisms transfer energy, participate in cycle of chemicals, change environment

Introductory Questions #6 1. A group of ecosystems that have the same climate & dominate communities are called _______. At what biological levels does the study of Ecology include? (see Fig. 3-2) Ecological research involves three fundamental approaches. Name these three approaches. (see Fig. 3-3) What is the main energy source for all life? Explain how an autotroph is different from a heterotroph. Give three examples for each.

Ecology analyzes the highest level on the heirarchy (pg. 1082)

Ecosystems 11

Biotic Factors Living aspects of an ecosystem such as_____________ _______________, worms, amoebas, and waterlilies. fishes, frogs, insects, snails,

Biotic Factors

Habitats the location or surrounding where the organism lives

Community organisms living together in an ecosystem

Niches the behavior of organisms in their habitats.

Abiotic factors nonliving physical parts of an ecosystem such as _______________ type, rocks, temperature, _______________, and rainfall. water, sunlight, soil humidity, elevation Wind: Can affect the pattern of a plant’s growth

Abiotic Factors Temperature Sunlight Water & precipitation Wind Rocks & Soil Climate (prevailing weather comb of factors) Bodies of water: lakes, oceans, rivers Seasons & positioning of the Earth Mountains 18