Everything is connected! Cathcart Science PAGE 48-57 IN THE TEXTBOOK

New Vocabulary Ecology The study of the interactions between living things and between living things and their environment.

THE FIVE LEVELS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION ORGANISM POPULATION COMMUNITY ECOSYSTEM BIOSPHERE

An organism is a living thing. A squirrel is an example of an organism.

Population A group of the same kind of organism in the same area. Example: The population of squirrels that live around the school

Community All of the living things that live in the same area. Example: the squirrels, sparrows, grass, trees, hawks, insects, earthworms that live around the school are part of a community

Ecosystem The community of living things PLUS the non-living parts of the environment in a given area Example: All of the living things plus the soil, temperature, rainfall, asphalt, cars and traffic noise around the school make up an ecosystem

The biosphere is the part of Earth where life exists.

Organisms need energy to live. Organisms can be classified by how they get their energy. Producers Consumers Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Scavengers Decomposers

Producers Producers make their own food called glucose. Glucose contains energy from the sun. Photosynthesis is the process of making glucose. Examples of producer: green plants, algae, some bacteria

Consumers Consumers eat other organisms to get their energy. All animals and some bacteria are consumers.

Herbivores Consumers that mainly eat plants are called herbivores. Examples are mice, rabbits and caterpillars.

Carnivore Animals that mainly eat other consumers are called carnivores. Examples are: wolves, snakes, hawks and spiders

Omnivores A consumer that gets its energy by eating both plants and animals is called an omnivore. Examples are humans, rats, raccoons and bears.

Scavengers Scavengers eat animals that have recently died. Examples are lobsters, vultures, crows and hyenas.

Decomposers Decomposers break down and feed on dead organisms and waste. Examples are bacteria, mushrooms and earthworms.

Biotic Factors – the living parts of the environment Abiotic Factors – the non-living parts of the environment

Energy flows among organisms in pathways called food chains and food webs.

Food Web