Chapter 3: Ecology

3-1: What is Ecology

Daily Objectives Describe the study of ecology. Explain how biotic and abiotic factors influence an ecosystem.

Ecology The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environments, focusing on energy transfer. Ecology is a science of relationships

Environment The environment is made up of two factors: Biotic Factors- all living organisms inhabiting the Earth Ex. Plants and Animals Abiotic Factors- nonliving parts of the environment Ex. Temperature, soil, light, moisture, air currents, and water

Abiotic and Biotic Factors

Levels of Organization Biosphere Biome Ecosystem Community Population Organism

Organism Any unicellular or multicellular form exhibiting all of the characteristics of life, an individual. The lowest level of organization in ecology

Population A group of organisms of one species living in the same place at the same time that interbreed Produce fertile offspring Compete with each other for resources (food, mates, shelter, etc.)

Community Several interacting populations that inhabit a common environment and are interdependent.

Ecosystem All the organisms that live in a place, together with their physical environment

Biomes A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms

Biosphere Our entire planet, with all its organisms and physical environments The highest level of organization

Humans in the Biosphere Humans live within the biosphere and depend on natural resources for essentials like water and other goods and services that can be bought and sold.

Ecological Methods Ecologists use 3 methods in their work Observation Experimentation Modeling