1. Principles of Ecology IN 124 Heading Vocabulary Important Info
Chapters 3, 4, 5, & 6

2. B. Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors
A. What is Ecology?
Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
B. Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors
Biosphere – portion of the Earth supporting life
Biotic factors
a. All organisms inhabiting the environment
b. The “living” things in the environment
c. Each organism adapts to its part of the biosphere
Abiotic factors
a. Nonliving parts of the environment
b. Can determine which species will survive
examples: rainfall, temperature, light, soil

3. Abiotic Factors
Biotic Factors
ECOSYSTEM

4. C. Levels of Biological Organization
Species: group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.
Populations
a. A group of organisms of the same species living together
b. Must compete for resources
Community
a. Several populations that interact
b. Changes in one population will cause changes in the others
Ecosystem
a. Interactions between populations and their surroundings
b. 2 main types:
1. Terrestrial – land
2. Aquatic – fresh or salt water

5. Levels of Biological Organization

6. D. Niche vs. Habitat The role an organism plays in the environment
(Its “job” in the community)
Habitat
Place where an organism lives
Three Species of Warblers and their niches
Cape May Warbler
Feeds at the tips of branches
near the top of the tree
Bay-Breasted Warbler
Feeds in the middle
part of the tree
Yellow-Rumped Warbler
Feeds in the lower part of the tree and
at the bases of the middle branches
Spruce tree

7. Earthworm Example Habitat of the earthworm: in the soil.
Niche: To aerate ( add air to or oxygenate) the soil.