Introduction to Ecology

Objective I understand that living organisms interact with one another and their environment

On whom do you depend for your basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing?

Humans are not the only organisms that depend on others for their needs. All living things are interdependent. Their relationships are important to their survival.

Where does the energy to keep organisms alive original come from?

How do the organisms in the photo get energy?

Ecology Ecology: the study of relationships between organisms and their environment Scientist gain valuable insight about interactions between organisms by observing them in their natural environment

Biosphere Biosphere: the portion of earth that supports life Includes: Landmasses Bodies of water Extends above Earth’s surface into the atmosphere Extends below into the ocean

Factors in the Environment Abiotic Factors: nonliving factors in the organisms’ environment Biotic Factors: living factors in the organism’s environment

Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Abiotic versus Biotic Factors

Abiotic VS Biotic Factors Abiotic factors Biotic factors Salinity ultraviolet light (less air above GSL than sea level) Temperature water level constant moving shore line depth of lake green algae Cyanobacteria Archaea brine flies Birds Brine shrimp

Levels of Organization To study relationships ecologists look at the different levels of organization or smaller pieces of the biosphere. The levels increase in complexity as the number of interactions between organisms increase

Individual, Species, Organism Individual: any living thing or organism In the diagram the goldfish, is interacting with its environment.

Population Population: a group of individuals of a given species that live in a specific geographic area at a given time. In the diagram the school of fish is the population

Community Community: a group of interacting populations (includes different species) that occupy the same geographic area at the same time. In the diagram note how populations of gold fishes, salmons, crabs and herrings coexist in a defined location.

Ecosystem Ecosystem: a biological community and all the abiotic factors that affect it

Biome Biome: a large group of ecosystems that share the same climate and have similar types of communities

Biosphere: all biomes combined