Ecology: an introduction
The study of the interactions that take place among organisms and their environment
Environment An environment has two parts Living Parts Non-Living Parts
Living Things Living things in an environment are called Biotic Factors. The pre-fix “bio-” means living. Plants Animals Single-celled organisms Fungi Insects
Non-living things Non-living things in an environment are called Abiotic Factors. Water Air Soil Rocks Sunlight/Heat
How an Environment is Organized
Organism An organism is a living thing (Biotic)
Population All the organisms in an ecosystem that belong to the same species. (Biotic)
Community All the populations of different species that live and interact in an area.(biotic)
Ecosystem All the organisms living in an area and the nonliving features of their environment Biotic – living Abiotic – nonliving
Biosphere The part of Earth that supports life Top portion of Earth's crust (lithosphere) All the waters that cover Earth's surface (hydrosphere) Atmosphere that surrounds Earth
Earth’s Crust / Lithosphere
Earth’s Waters / Hydrosphere
Air / Atmosphere