ECOLOGY

Ecology is: The study of the relationship between living organisms and their environment.

In other words—Ecology is the study of Ecosystems. An ecosystem is an interacting system of Living (biotic) organisms and their non-living (abiotic) environment.

An ecosystem is made up of two sets of factors: A) biotic factors—the living portion of the ecosystem. Living organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and the list goes on.

Ecological Organization The organization of ecological factors is as follows: 1.Individual 2.Population 3.Community 4.Ecosystem

Individual- one organism

Populations: Group of organisms of the same species living in an area.

Communities—all of the living organisms in an ecosystem.

B) Abiotic factors—the non-living portion of the ecosystem. This includes the following: Water Soil Temperature Sunlight

In order for an ecosystem to exist it must meet 3 criteria to be SELF-SUSTAINING: HAVE AN ENERGY SOURCE (SUN) ENERGY MUST BE CONVERTED OR STORED FOR USE BY ORGANISMS NUTRIENTS MUST BE RECYCLED

YOU DECIDE— ENVIRONMENT OR ECOSYSTEM?

ENVIRONMENT OR ECOSYSTEM?

Ecosystems and Energy Flow Relationships Food Chains, Food Webs, And Energy Pyramids!!!!

Food Chain

Food Web

Energy Pyramid