2. Ecology The study of the interactions between organisms and the living and nonliving components of their environment. An Ecologist is a scientist who studies Ecology. Jane Goodall Famous Ecologist Brain pop

3. Ecology Involves Collecting information about organisms and their environment. Looking for patterns. Seeking to explain these patterns.

4. Environmental Organization In Ecology, organisms and the environment are studied at various ecological levels. Each level includes different factors. Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere

5. Environmental Organization Population A population includes all the members of a species found in a given area. The dandelion species in your lawn is an example of a population.

6. Environmental Organization Community A community includes all the populations in a given area. Your lawn has populations of dandelions, grasses, earthworms, and other living things. These populations together make up a lawn community.

7. Environmental Organization Ecosystem A community (all the living things) and the physical environment ( non living things -air, water, soil) interacting and functioning together make up an ecosystem. Examples of ecosystems include your lawn, an aquarium, ponds, vacant lots, woodlots, salt marshes, and forests.

8. Ecosystem Components Abiotic Factors The nonliving parts of the environment. They directly affect the ability of organisms to live and reproduce. Abiotic Factors determine the numbers and kinds of organisms that can live in an ecosystem

9. Abiotic Factors Sun Light Climate (Temperature) Type of Soil Surface and ground water Oxygen

10. Ecosystem Components Biotic Factors All the living things that directly or indirectly affect the ecosystem. Biotic factors interact with other living organisms and with the physical environment.

11. Biotic Factors Biotic factors can include 1. Trees 2. Grass 3. Animals

12. Stable Ecosystem Requirements An ecosystem can support itself and is stable when the following requirements are met. 1. There must be a constant supply of energy. The sun is the primary source of energy for life on Earth. 2. There must be living organisms that can incorporate the energy into organic compounds. 3. There must be a recycling of materials between organisms and the environment.

13. Ecosystem Characteristics Abiotic components combine to define the environmental characteristics of the ecosystem. Biotic components interact with each other to determine the success of life in the ecosystem. Biotic components interact with Abiotic components to determine the overall characteristics of the ecosystem.

14. Habitat The place in the ecosystem where an organism lives. An organism’s habitat is determined by abiotic and biotic factors. The factors an organism needs to survive determine where it lives. Example: An earthworm’s habitat is moist soil.

15. Environmental Organization Biomes are very large areas on the earth’s surface, with animals and plants adapting to their environment. Biomes are often defined by abiotic factors such as climate, relief, geology, soils and vegetation. There are many major biomes on earth. Examples: Desert

16. Environmental Organization Biosphere The biosphere is the portion of the earth in which life exists. It is very large and includes many complex ecosystems.