1. Ecology is study of interactions between
non-living (abiotic) components in the environment…
light
water
wind
nutrients in soil
heat
solar radiation
atmosphere, etc.
AND…

2. Living organisms (biotic)…
Plants
Animals
microorganisms in soil, etc.

3. Ecology…
views each locale as an integrated whole of interdependent parts that function as a unit.
caribou
tundra

4. ECOLOGY: Levels of Organization
- a hierarchy of organization
in the environment

5. Levels of organization - Terms
Biosphere
Surface of the earth
Composed of many ecosystems
Ecosystem
Large or small as we decide
Backyard, O’Melveney Park, Hedge along Room 110, etc.

6. Levels of organization - Terms
Population – one species live in one place at one time
Community – All populations (diff. species) that live in a particular area.

7. Levels of organization - Terms
Habitat – physical location of community
Organism – simplest level of organization

8. Levels of Study

9. Very complex
Can contain 100’s to 1000’s of interacting species.