Living Things and Their Environment

Ecology Ecology is the study of the interactions among organisms and their environment

Levels of Organization of Life

Levels of Organization for Ecosystems Organism – One living thing Population – The # of the same species of organisms in an area. Community- different populations in an area. Ecosystem – All of the populations of living things with the non-living things in an area. Biome – A group of ecosystems with similar climates and organisms. Ex. a rainforest Biosphere – All of the earth with the different biomes. The parts that support life.

Making Sense of How Life Fits Together….. The Pyramid of Life http://ed.ted.com/lessons/making-sense-of-how-life-fits-together-bobbi-seleski#watch

ORGANISM organism - one living, individual from a population.

Population Population - All of the individuals of that one species that live in the same area at the same time .

Community Community - The populations of different species that interact in some way

Ecosystem All of the communities in an area and the abiotic factors they interact with make up an ecosystem.

Ecosystem – All of the living and non-living things that interact in an area. Biotic Factors Living or once living parts of an ecosystem. Animals, plant life, bacteria, etc. Abiotic Factors Non-living parts of an ecosystem. Temperature, pH level, water, oxygen, soil, sunlight

Biotic Factors Plants, animals, protists, fungi, and bacteria are all examples of biotic factors

Abiotic Factors: Light & Temperature Sun is needed for most living things to survive. Considered the number one source of energy

Abiotic Factors: Water All living organisms need water to survive. Respiration, photosynthesis, digestion, and other important life processes need water. Water is important for cells functions

Abiotic Factor: Soil Soil type is determined by the amount of sand, silt, and clay it contains. Different plants need different kinds of soil. Types of plants in an area & soil affects every organism in an environment

Biome A group of ecosystems with similar Biome - climates and organisms Biome -

Desert Biome

Deciduous Forest Biome

Savannah Biome

Tropical Rain Forest Biome

Tundra Biome Smart board Biome Activities

Biosphere – all biomes

Review - Levels of Organization of Ecosystems

Habitat - A place that provides the thing an organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce.

Our Home is Part of Our Habitat .

In your habitat, what is your niche? Symbiotic Relationship In your habitat, what is your niche? NICHE - An organism’s role . its contribution to its habitat …. even as a food source.  Do you have a niche????????

Symbiotic Relationship

Symbiotic Relationship

Resources Living Things Need in Order to Survive Shelter Food Space Water Air

Population Size The number of individuals in a population that occupy a definite area is called population density.

Competition - struggle among organisms to obtain the same resources needed to survive and reproduce. As population density increases, so does competition. “Survival of the fittest”

Changes in the environment can cause changes in populations. Births and deaths Immigration (Into) Emigration (Exit) Causes competition for RESOURCES: food, shelter, water, air, and space.

Carrying Capacity – - maximum number of organisms an environment can support with resources.

“Limiting Factors” Food sources Space / Shelter Limiting Factors – limits the population of an area. Food sources Space / Shelter Weather (ex. Early Frost) Natural hazards Wildfires, Floods, Landslides How can these “limit” population growth?????????

Landslides ***********Mudslides Landslide – Movement of rock, earth, or debris. Caused by rain, floods, earthquakes, excessive development, etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXp72dZdqu4

Wildfire on Outer Banks of NC Wildfires – A natural event that can be beneficial to the ecosystem.

Flooding in the Carolinas Flooding– Slow flood over riverbanks or flash floods. Danger to wildlife, causes soil erosion, and deposition of sediment. Flooding in the Carolinas

Energy Roles in an Ecosystem Producer – PLANTS are always the producers (Produce their own food) and always the bottom of a food chain. Consumer – Carnivores, Herbivores, Omnivores, Scavengers Decomposer – Break down wastes and dead organisms and return to the environment. (Ex. Mushrooms, Bacteria)

“What are the 3 Energy Roles in an ecosystem?”

Predators and Prey Predators - certain adaptations to capture their prey such as speed and sharp teeth. Prey - certain adaptations to protect themselves such as camouflage. Identify the predator and prey in this picture. Osprey Video http://10.34.50.100/safevideos/Video.aspx?id=nA3LtXnNIto

Births & Immigration Deaths & Emigration Population goes Competition for resources goes This causes Population to go

Food Chain- always begins with a producer/ plant .

Food Chain

Wolves Change a River http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q

Food Webs Food Web - is a series of food chains. Food Webs and Food Chains ALWAYS begin with producers!!

Food Energy Pyramid The further up the food chain the LESS energy from the food is available.

(e.g., movement, digestion, reproduction). The energy is lost as you go UP the energy pyramid because of life processes such as: (e.g., movement, digestion, reproduction).

Food Chain / Food Webs / Food Energy Pyramid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWvtRf4TAO4

Jeff Corwin – Thailand 42

Alaska – Extreme Biome42 min