What is Ecology? Defined: Studying how life interacts within the biosphere is called Ecology All life interacts within the biosphere – Area within the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountains

Defined: Group of one species living in the same area Population changes based on: – Births, Deaths, Immigration, Emigration, Available resources Click on information box Populations

Limiting Factors Birth & death rates eventually balance – Factors: Disease, food, predators, climate, space, mates Populations become stable Carrying Capacity: greatest number of individuals that a population can sustain What stage is the human population in?

Communities Defined: Populations of many species living in the same area at the same time Each organism has it own HABITAT – Habitat: Place where an organism lives Each species has its own NICHE – Niche: The role/needs of a species – Ex: Termites return nutrients to the soil

Ecosystems Defined: Community of species interacting with the living & non-living Biotic (living) Factors: – Animals: Mice, Reptiles, Insects – Plants: Cactus, Flowers, Shrubs Abiotic (non-living) Factors: Sand, rocks, sunlight Ecosystem changes affect biodiversity – Keystone species greatly alter ecosystems

What is a Biome? Defined: Large area with distinct climate, plant, and animal life Climate factors: sun, rain, topography Climate determines life

Kobe Kuiz 1) What is ecology? 2) What are two reasons that populations will increase? 3) What are two reasons that populations will decrease? 4) What are factors that control population growth called? 5) How does a population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere differ? 6) What is a keystone species? 7) Place the levels of ecology in order from smallest to largest. – Ecosystem, Population, Biosphere, Community, Biome