Intro to Ecology Ch. 3
What Is Ecology? The study of how organisms interact with their natural environment and each other
What do ecologists do? Use observation and experimentation to learn more about organisms in their natural environment Identify biotic and abiotic factors that affect the organisms they are studying
Biotic Factors All of the living things in an organism’s environment Plants Animals Bacteria Fungus Protists
Abiotic Factors The non-living things in an organism’s environment Ex: Water Oxygen Fire Soil pH Sunlight
Levels of organization (smallest to largest) Individual Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere
Individual A single organism Ex: one coyote
Population A group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area. Ex: A pack of coyotes
Community A group of populations (different species) that live in the same place and interact with each other. Ex: Coyotes, rabbits, snakes, lizards, etc.
Ecosystem The community plus all of the abiotic factors Ex: Coyotes, rabbits, snakes, lizards, water, dirt, sun, etc.
Biome A group of ecosystems that have the same climate (temperature and rainfall) and similar flora and fauna Example: The deserts of California are similar to other deserts all over the world.
Biosphere The total portion of Earth that supports life