Ecology Definition: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Branch of biology that was developed from natural history Study reveals the relationships between living and non-living parts of the world

Ecology Abiotic Biotic: The environment is divided into _______________ and ____________________ parts: Abiotic Physical factor such as:_______________________________________________________ These factors make up an organism’s habitat Habitat: __________ ____________________________________ Biotic: All living or _____ living components of an ecosystem Includes ________ __________ and the ________ of organisms

Levels of Organization in Ecology To help ecologists understand the interactions of the biotic and abiotic parts of the world, scientists have organized the living world into levels: __________

Levels of Organization Biosphere ____________________________________________________________________________ Goes from the ______ of the ___________ to the __________ of the _______; about 12 miles high! Supports a wide variety of organisms If the earth were shrunk to apple size, the biosphere would be thinner than the ___________

Levels of Organization Ecosystem ____________________________________ ______________________________________ Living components of an ecosystem are the ___________________________ Non living components of an ecosystem are the ___________________________

Levels of Organization Community ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Population Organism

Levels of Organization In a desert….. Organism: coyote Population: pack of coyotes Community: pack of coyotes, hawks, owls, snakes, scorpions, & reptiles Ecosystem: populations of animals listed above, cacti, shrubs, sand dunes, climate, rocks, temperature Biosphere: the earth

Biodiversity Includes: The __________________ within a given area The __________________ within a population The ___________________ in a community The ____________________in an ecosystem Both __________ and __________ factors help to determine the biodiversity of an area

In an Ecosystem Habitat: ______________________________________________________________________ Niche: ______________________________________________________________________ Organisms may share parts of their niche, but never the whole thing!

In an Ecosystem ________________________: the entire range of conditions where a species can survive Shaped by competition for resources between species ______________________: the actual niche that an organism occupies within an ecosystem Why is a niche important? The establishment of a niche allows for several organisms to live in the same habitat while _____________________________________!!

Changes in an Ecosystem ____________: the replacement of one community by another at a single location over a period of time First organisms to appear are _________________ _______________ occurs after natural disasters Volcanic eruptions, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. _____________________ occurs after HUMAN involvement Clearing of land for development, clear cutting the forest, etc.

Relationships in an Ecosystem ___________________ Two species live in close association with each other. Can be positive or negative Mutualism: _______________________________ Ex: cleaner shrimp/fish Commensalism:____________________________________________________________________________ Ex: orchids growing on trees Parasitism:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ex: Ticks on a dog. The tick is the parasite and the dog is the host