Introduction to Ecology Presentation created by Ms. Graban

Ecology Ecology – study of interactions between organisms and their environments What’s in an environment? - 2 kinds of “factors” 1. Abiotic factors – nonliving things in environment; ex.: rocks, temperature, weather, soil, water 2. Biotic factors – living things in environment; ex.: plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, protists

Abiotic & Biotic Factors Identify abiotic and biotic factors in each picture.

Abiotic & Biotic Factors Abiotic factors can affect biotic factors. –Amount of rainfall and temperature can determine what kind of plants and animals can live in the area (tundra, desert, rainforest, etc.) savanna desert tundra

Abiotic & Biotic Factors Biotic factors can affect abiotic factors. –More trees in an area can raise oxygen levels and lower carbon dioxide levels.

Levels of Ecology 1.Organism – a living thing; ex. Zebra 2.Population – a group of organisms of the same species that live together at the same time in the same place; ex. Herd of zebras 3.Community – all interacting populations (all living things) in an area; ex.: zebras, lions, giraffes, trees, plants, etc. 4.Ecosystem – organisms + nonliving things; ex.: all of the above + dirt, temperature, rocks

Biomes & the Biosphere Biome – geographic regions where climate and ecosystems are similar; ex.: desert, tundra, grasslands, temperate forest Biosphere – the “life zone” of Earth All land biomes make up the ecosphere.