The Abiotic and Biotic Environment EQ: How can we classify the levels of ecological organization?

Ecology is… the study of the interactions among organisms and their environment.

Biotic vs. Abiotic Biotic components of the environment: Living things that affect the ecosystem Ex. Grass, plankton, plants, insects Abiotic components of the environment: Non-living things that affect the ecosystem Ex. Water, sunlight, oxygen, temperature, soil

Summarize What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors? Give an example of each.

Organization of an Ecosystem Individual – One organism, a single living thing habitat- the place where an organism lives in order to obtain food, water, shelter and other things needed for survival niche- the role of an organism in the environment - type of food it eats - how it gets its food - interactions with other organisms Ex. The niche of a bee is to pollinate flowers as it gathers nectar for its food.

Organization of an Ecosystem Population – All the individuals of a given species in a specific area or region at a certain time. Members of a population compete for food, water, space, and mates Ex. Loblolly pines in SC

Organization of an Ecosystem Community - All the different population in a specific area or region at a certain time Communities involve many types of interactions among populations: obtaining food, space, or other environmental factor Ex. All of the crabs, seagulls, and sea grass at the beach are part of the same community

Ecosystem – One or more communities in an area and the abiotic factors including water, sunlight, oxygen , temperature and soil Biome – Individual ecosystems grouped together according to climate and vegetation Biosphere – the ecosystem of planet Earth

Summarize What are the levels of ecological organization from smallest to largest?

Draw your pyramid Fill in each level of the pyramid Include a description on the right of each level Be sure to show and or list your individual’s habitat and niche