Ecosystems: Why is everything connected? Section 4.1

What exactly is an ecosystem? All of the organisms living in an area together with their physical environment make up an ecosystem. Ex: Forest, vacant lot, coral reef Ecosystems don’t have clear boundaries. Things move from one ecosystem to another. Ex: Birds migrate, pollen blows

What does an ecosystem need to survive? There are five basic components: 1. energy – mostly from the sun 2. mineral nutrients – some type of food 3. water – as a source of nutrients 4. oxygen – got to breathe! 5. living organisms – this allows for the interactions between nutrients and the air.

Definitions: Abiotic Factors – nonliving factors or components in an ecosystem: water, light, pH, temperature, air, nutrients Biotic Factors – living factors in an ecosystem: plants, animals, bacteria

Levels of Organization Organism: is an individual living thing. Species: a group of organisms that are: a. Closely related and b. can mate to produce fertile offspring. Population: all the members of the same species that live in the same place at the same time. Community: group of various species that live in the same place and interact with each other.

Example = pond ecosystem – includes all of the populations of plants, mammals, birds, fish, insects, and micro-organisms.

Habitat The place where an organism lives. Similar to an address Has specific characteristics the organisms that live there need to survive If any of these factors change, then the habitat changes. In order to survive, the organisms must adapt to these changes. Organisms are suited to their natural habitats  cannot survive for long periods of time away from their natural habitat.

Is the niche and habitat the same? There is a difference between an organisms habitat (location of home) and their niche. A niche is the organism’s pattern of use of its habitat. It includes the following: 1. the physical home 2. the environmental factors needed for survival 3. all of the interactions it has with other organisms

Example- A Lion’s Niche Location= Savanna in Africa It needs air, water, grass, organisms for food, female lions to mate with Predator-prey relationships, competition, reproductive potential, mating season