Chapter 3: The Biosphere

What is Ecology? Eco comes from Greek word “oikos” – house -logy comes from “logos” – study of Ecology means “study of the house” as coined by Ernst Haeckel Ecology – the study of interactions among organisms (plants and animals) and their environment

Levels of Organization (page 79 Figure 3-1) From individual to global: Organism—individual living thing (ex. Lion)

Levels of Organization Population—group of same species that live in one area (ex. Pride of lions) Species – a group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring

Levels of Organization Community—collection of interacting populations (ex. Lions, antelope, zebras, elephants, grasses, etc…)

Levels of Organization Ecosystem—interactions of biotic and abiotic factors in an area Biotic factors—living or once living things (ex. Animals, plants, microorganisms, etc…) Abiotic factors—nonliving things (ex. Sunlight, temperature, soil, etc…)

Levels of Organization Biome—regional or global community of organisms which is usually characterized by the climate conditions and plant communities that thrive there

Levels of Organization Biosphere—all organisms and the part of Earth where they exist