Chapters 3 & 4

 Ecology: study of interactions between organisms & their environment ◦ In the broadest sense, Ecology focuses on the Biosphere Everything is connected to everything else

 Biosphere: all the portions of the Earth where life exists (including land, water, and air/atmosphere)

 We learned this already…  Atoms are bonded together to form:  Molecules form:  Organelles work together in a:  Cells of the same type form a:  Tissues work together to form:  Organs are arranged in:  Organ systems make up a: Cell Molecule Organelle Tissue Organ Organ system Organism

 But there’s more…  Groups of organisms of the same species that live together:  Populations of different species living in the same place:  All biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors in particular area: ◦ Abiotic ex: weather, rocks, soil, etc. Population Community Ecosystem

 Breaking it down… ◦ Organism: an individual living thing  Species: organisms that breed and produce fertile offspring E COLOGY

 Breaking it down…  Habitat: where an organism lives  Ex: Zebra lives in the African Savanna  Niche: an organism’s role in the environment  Ex: Zebras eat grass.

◦ Population: group of the same species living in the same area  Ex: elephants in the Savanna Populations

 Community: populations of different species living in the same area (all living – biotic factors) ◦ Ex: elephants, lions, zebras in the savanna Feeding relationships Community E COLOGY

 Ecosystem: All the biotic (living) and abiotic (non- living) parts of an environment ◦ Ex: soil, water, temp, lions, zebras in the Savanna Feeding relationships Ecosystem

◦ Biome: group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant vegetation

lots of rain, lots of sunlight, always warm many plants & animals high biodiversity

dry season/wet season, always warm frequent fires in dry season many herbivores mid biodiversity

very dry, hot in day & cold at night very few plants & only small animals: reptiles, insects, rodents, birds low biodiversity

dry season/wet season, cold winters/hot summers frequent fires in dry season many herbivores mid biodiversity

4 seasons: warm summer with rains, cold winter with snow deciduous trees, many mammals, insects, birds, etc. high biodiversity

northern forest, drier, cooler evergreens, mammals, birds, insects, etc. mid biodiversity

cold year round, dry, permafrost only lichens & mosses & mostly migrating animals low biodiversity