1. Learning Objectives
Identify the levels of organization that ecologists study
Explain how biotic and abiotic factors influence an ecosystem

2. Ecology

3. What is Ecology?
Eco = house ology = the study of
Ecology - the study of the interactions that occurs between organisms and their environment

4. Nature’s Eco (house) Nature’s “houses” come in many sizes
From atoms to the entire planet

5. Levels of Organization
Individual
(Species)
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Biome
Biosphere

6. Individual Organism
Individual - One living thing

7. Population
Population - Group of individuals of the same species living in the same area

8. Community
Community - Populations that live together in a defined area

9. Ecosystem
Ecosystem - All the communities (living things) in an area + all the non-living components of the environment

10. Biome
Biome - group of ecosystems with the same climate and similar communities

11. Largest House - Biosphere
Biosphere - contains the combined portions of the planet in which all life exists, including land, water and air

12. YouTube Levels of Organization

13. Biotic
Life
PLANTS
ANIMALS
FUNGI
BACTERIA
All the living parts of an environment that live together and interact with one another

14. Abiotic All the non-living parts of an environment (physical factors)
Not or
without
WEATHER
ROCK and SOIL
WATER
LIGHT
TEMPERATURE
All the non-living parts of an environment (physical factors)

15. Habitat
Habitat – the area where an organism lives, including the biotic and abiotic factors

16. Stop Here