The study of interactions among and between organisms and their physical environment. Studying our living planet!!

Biotic and Abiotic Factors What is the different between biotic and abiotic factors? Biotic: biological influences on an organism Abiotic: physical components of an ecosystems **Many times they influence each other!!

Biotic Factors Any living part of the environment with which and organism might interact, including animals, plants, mushrooms, and bacteria Biotic Factors of a snake might include mice and frogs which it eats, herons that eat the snake, the grass it hides in, and any other species that competes for food or space/habitat

Abiotic Factors Any NONLIVING part of the environment: sunlight, heat, humidity, precipitation, rocks, wind or water currents, soil, etc For example our snake is affected by availability of water, temperature, humidity, and the dirt where it creates its home.

Biotic and Abiotic Together The difference between biotic and abiotic is not always clear. Abiotic factors can be influenced by the activities of organisms and vice versa For example pond muck contains non living particles as well as mold and decomposing plants that serve as food for bacteria and fungi.

Biotic and Abiotic Together Let’s use our example of the snake how could some of our biotic factors affect our abiotic factors?

Levels of Organization Sarah’s Pet Cougar Eats Baby Bunnies. Species Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere

Levels of Organization Species (individual organism) – group of similar organisms that can breed & reproduce fertile offspring. Population – a group of individuals of the same species & live in the same area. All humans living in allen park – yes All humans living in allen park vs. new york – no All humans living in allen park vs. dogs in allen park – no Community- different populations that live together in defined area. Ecosystem – All organisms that live in a place, together with their physical environment Biome – Group of ecosystems that share similar climates & typical organisms. Biosphere

Example: Wildebeest Type of antelope and the largest mammal migrator in the world. Species: Wildebeest Population: Group of Wildebeest that live/migrate in same area Community: population of Wildebeest, gazelles, and zebra Ecosystem: Serengeti – open plains Biome: Tropical Savanna Biosphere

YOUR TURN Using Paper and markers, create your own chart.

Community Ex. 1 A suburban neighborhood in Wayne County, MI. The houses are spaced apart, with lots of trees and grass in between mixed with flowers and plants Fewer people, possibly pets in every home More “wild” animals; birds, raccoons, rabbits, butterflies, spiders, worms, squirrels, chipmunks, etc.

Community Example Practice Example 2: A block of high rises in Chicago. Example 3: Huron River in Ann Arbor Example 4: The middle of a dead tree

Ecological Methods Observation – often the first step. In asking ecological question, sound familiar? Simple Ex: which species live here? How many of each species? Complex: How does an animal protect its young from predators? Experimentation– Test the hypothesis An artificial environment must be setup in a laboratory or greenhouse, or carefully alter conditions in selected parts of natural ecosystem Modeling– Help understand long events Many ecological events occur over such long periods of time or over such large distances they are difficult to study directly Math formulas based on data.