Ecology: the study of the interactions of living things with each other and their physical environment

4. Biosphere: that portion of the earth where life exists. b. An ecosystem involves interactions between abiotic (physical) and biotic (living) factors. The members of the community in the ecosystem and environment must interact to maintain a balance.

Ecological Organization: 1.Biosphere: that portion of the earth where life exists 2.Ecosystem: the living community and the physical environment functioning together as an independent and 3.Community: all the interacting populations in a given area. 2.Population: all the members of a single species inhabiting a given location.

Ecosystem Factors The factors that influence an organism are seperated into two catagories. Abiotic = not living and Biotic = living

Abiotic factors: those physical and chemical factors which affect the ability of organisms to survive and reproduce

Some Abiotic Factors: 1. intensity of light 2. range of temperatures 3. amount of moisture 4. type of substratum (soil or rock type) 5. availability of inorganic substances such as minerals 6. supply of gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen 7. pH

Some examples: 1. A low annual temperature common to the northern latitudes determines in part the species of plants which can exist in that area. 2. The amount of oxygen dissolved in a body of water will help determine what species of fish live there. 3. The dry environment of desert regions limits the organisms that can live there.

Biotic Factors All of the interactions between living organisms, or between living organisms and their environment. If it’s living and it interacts with something it is a biotic factor.

In all environments, organisms with similar needs may compete with each other for resources, including food, space, water, air, and shelter.

Abiotic and Biotic Factors As you might have already guessed Abiotic and Biotic factors are connected. Organisms affect their enviroment and the envoriroment affects the organisms. Example: The amount of nitrogen in the soil affects how fast plants grow. The faster plants grow the more nitrogen they need.

Tolerance Levels Each animal has a specific range of biotic and abiotic factors that it can tolerate. Example: Parrots can not live in the arctic and polar bears can not live in the tropics.

Conformers or Regulators Conformers will change with their environment. Example As the temperature drops they allow their body temperature to drop. Regulators will use energy to control their bodily condition. Example eating gives energy for warmth.

Acclimation and Escape Certain animals can adjust their bodies to tolerate new factors. This is called Acclimation. If they are not able to acclimate they must escape. This can be done by hibernating, going dormant or migration.

Niche Each species has a way of life and specific locations with in an ecosystem. They have specific ways to feed, to breed, and specific ways to use the resources. This is called a Niche

Homework Write 1 paragraph explaining your animals niche. Make sure to include what abiotic factors it requires. Write 1 paragraph on how your animal handles changes to its environment.