 1. Organism  Individual organisms interacting with the environment  2. Population  Group of individuals of the same species living in a particular geographic area  3. Community  All the populations of different species that inhabit a particular area  4. Ecosystem  All the biotic and abiotic components in a certain area  Landscapes - array of ecosystems

 The biosphere is the global ecosystem.  It extends from  an altitude of several kilometers  to 3,000 m beneath Earth's surface  to a depth of several kilometers in the oceans  The biosphere is self-contained and characterized by patchiness.

 Major abiotic factors determine the biosphere's structure and dynamics

 The Earth’s tilt causes the seasons – The seasons of the year result from the permanent tilt of the plant on its axis as it orbits the sun  e.com/watch?v=O9ha wBb3wbk e.com/watch?v=O9ha wBb3wbk

 Disturbances such as fire, hurricanes  Temperature and Wind

 Because of its curvature, Earth receives an uneven distribution of solar energy  The tilt of the Earth's axis causes the seasons of the year  Globe's position relative to the sun changes through the year  The tropics experience the least seasonal variation in solar radiation  Uneven heating causes rain and winds  The direct intense solar radiation near the equator has an impact on the global patterns of rainfall and winds  The tropics experience the greatest annual input and least seasonal variation in solar radiation

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 Generally modify climate of nearby land  Landforms can also affect local climate  Variations in climate determine the character of the world's biomes dia.org/resource/ttv10.sci. ess.watcyc.currents/the- role-of-ocean-currents-in- climate/ nt/wind/surface/level/orthograp hic=-75.00,0.00,247

 Species exist in a given place because they evolve there or disperse there.  Unique adaptations that fit a particular environment allow organisms to survive there.  Organisms vary greatly in their ability to tolerate fluctuations and long-term changes in their environment.

 Human activities affect all parts of the biosphere – Cities, farms, and highways change the landscape – The widespread use of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides poses problems to people and other organisms.

 Abiotic factors influencing the distribution of aquatic biomes  Light  Distance from shore  Availability of nutrients

 Estuaries are productive areas where rivers meet the ocean – The saltiness of estuaries ranges from less than 1% to 3% – They provide nursery areas for oysters, crabs, and many fishes – They are often bordered by extensive coastal wetlands – Among the most productive biomes

 Tropical forests cluster near the equator

 Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees

 Deserts are the driest terrestrial biomes

 The chaparral is a region of dense, spiny shrubs with tough, evergreen leaves

 Temperate grasslands include the North American prairie

 Broadleaf trees dominate temperate forests

 Coniferous forests are often dominated by a few species of trees

 Arctic tundra is a treeless biome.