Ecology Last one….

Ecology The study of living things interacting in their environment.

Organization

Individuals (or organism) One member of a species Example: One chipmunk

Population Includes all the members of a species in a given area Example: All of the chipmunks in the Adirondacks

Community All the populations in a given area Example: all of the organisms in the Adirondacks chipmunks, deer, rabbits, pine trees, maple trees, blueberries… etc.

Ecosystem The living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) environment functioning together Example: animals, trees, water, soil, Light

Biome Areas on Earth with similar climate, plants, and animals. Example: Forests similar to the Adirondaks can be found in the middle of Europe, Asia, Japan, Australia, and South America (to name just a few…)

Biosphere All of the ecosystems combined!

Biosphere - Arizona http://www.b2science.org/

Requirements for a stable ecosystem (“Self-sustaining ecosystem”) Constant supply of energy - the Sun is the source of all energy on Earth Living organisms that can convert energy Plants (autotrophs) use photosynthesis to make energy 3. Recycling of Materials - there must be a way of recycling materials between organisms and the environment

How is this a self-sustaining ecosystem?

Parts of an Ecosystem

Biotic vs. Abiotic Abiotic (not-living things that affect organisms in the environment) Examples: Water (Chemical reactions and habitat) Soil (Growing area for plants Air (Gases) (CO2 and O2 for photosynthesis and respiration) light (photosynthesis) Temperature (homeostasis) Biotic (Living factors in the environment) Examples: Producers (Plants) Consumers (Animals) Decomposers (Bacteria)

Limiting Factors A factor that limits the growth or distribution of a population in an ecosystem. The environment only has so much water, sunlight, rain, food source (etc.) to support a population.

Habitat A place where a species lives Niche- The role a species plays in the environment. A species ‘job’