1. Ecology
Chapter 17

2. Ecology
Ecology is the study of the relationship between plants and animals and their environment.

3. Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a large area with similar plants or animals

4. Habitat
A habitat is the place where plants or animals live

5. Producers
Producers are green plants which make their own food.

6. Consumers
Consumers in a habitat are animals, they eat other plants or animals for food.
Carnivores - eat only meat
Herbivores - eat only plants

7. Decomposers
Decomposers in a habitat are organisms that feed on the dead remains of plants and animals. E.g. bacteria

8. A food Chain
A food chain is a list of organisms in which each organism is eating by the next organism in the food chain.
Grass Rabbit Fox

9. Feeding level
The position of an organism on a food chain is called its feeding level.

10. Adaptation
An Adaptation is the changes that a plant or animal make to help them survive better in their environment.
E.g. Hedgehogs have developed sharp spines which protect them against predators.
Dandelions disperse seeds using parachute

11. Competition
Competition for scarce resources occurs between organisms in an environment.
Plants compete for light, some grow tall to get light e.g. Oak tree.
Animals compete for food e.g. Eagles and fox compete for food

12. Food Webs
A food web consists of two or more interconnected food chains.
Food webs are usually interconnected.

13. A food Web

14. Interdependence
Interdependence is when organisms in a habitat depend on each other for survival.
Flowers provide nectar for insects Animals depend on plants for shelter
Insects pollinate flowers Plants depend on animals for seed dispersal