Bell work Think of all the things that make up a pond in the countryside. List all the parts of the pond’s Ecosystem. Then draw an illustration of a pond ecosystem. Are all the parts of the ecosystem living? Explain your answer.

All Connected By Mrs. Cancasci Ecology All Connected By Mrs. Cancasci

What is Ecology? Every living thing on Earth is connected in a web of life. Ecology is the study of the interactions of living things with one another and in the environment they live in. Ecology came from the Greek word okologie, meaning the study of lives. An Ecologist is a scientist who studies the relationships between living organisms and their environment.

What is Ecology? This is everything biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) that is around them. List some abiotic things in our classroom. Outside. List some biotic things in our classroom. Outside. All living things need materials to carry out life processes. Nutrients, water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and energy. Nutrients are used for growth, repair, and energy (food)

Environmental Organization Scientists have divided the environment into 5 levels so that they can be more easily studied. This is what type of model? Conceptual model

Organism The 1st level is made up of the individual organism. An organism is a living thing. This could be a specific type of plant, animal (including people) or microorganism

Population The 2nd level is made up of a group of organisms of the same species that live in a specific geographical area. Can you give an example of a population?

Community The 3rd level is where all the different populations living together in a specific habitat. Can you think of an example of a community?

What is a habitat? A habitat is where an organism lives. So what!? Well a habitat provides everything an organism needs to survive! Food/water Shelter A place for reproduction It can be large or small, on land or in the water.

What is a Niche? A niche is an organisms way of life. This includes… This includes everything an organism needs or does. Their role/job. This includes… Habitat Food It’s predators (what eats the organism) Other organisms it competes with

Ecosystem The 4th level includes a community and the abiotic environment of the community. An Ecologists may look at how… Temperature Precipitation Soil characteristics affect the community.

Biosphere The last level is where life exists on Earth. The top portion of Earth’s crust, all the water on the surface, and the surrounding atmosphere make up the Biosphere.