1. What is ecology?
Ecology is the study of the interactions of organisms with their environments
The biosphere is composed of living communities and nonliving physical and chemical factors
Aquatic biomes are defined as fresh water and marine
Terrestrial biomes are categorized by climate and plant life
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2. Terrestrial Biomes
Himalayan landscape.

3. Aquatic Biomes
Himalayan landscape.

4. Ecologists study how organisms interact with their environment at several levels
Ecologists study environmental interactions at the levels of the
Organism
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Student Misconceptions and Concerns
1. Students may confuse the terms ecology and environmentalism. The science of ecology and the environmental issues that it often raises are related but distinct processes.
Teaching Tips
1. In the first chapter of the text, Module 1.1 introduces the levels of biological organization extending from an atom to the biosphere. Reviewing these with students will help them to place these ecology chapters in context.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

5. Ecologists study how organisms interact with their environment at several levels
The global ecosystem is called the biosphere
It is the sum of all the Earth’s ecosystems
The biosphere is the most complex level in ecology
Student Misconceptions and Concerns
1. Students may confuse the terms ecology and environmentalism. The science of ecology and the environmental issues that it often raises are related but distinct processes.
Teaching Tips
1. In the first chapter of the text, Module 1.1 introduces the levels of biological organization extending from an atom to the biosphere. Reviewing these with students will help them to place these ecology chapters in context.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

6. Ecologists study how organisms interact with their environment at several levels
Ecosystem interactions involve living (biotic) communities and nonliving (abiotic) components
Pair up and brainstorm some abiotic components of this classroom.
Biotic components include all organisms
Abiotic components include atmospheric gases, energy, nutrients, and water
Organisms are affected by both components of their environment
Their presence and activities often change the environment they inhabit
Student Misconceptions and Concerns
1. Students may confuse the terms ecology and environmentalism. The science of ecology and the environmental issues that it often raises are related but distinct processes.
Teaching Tips
1. In the first chapter of the text, Module 1.1 introduces the levels of biological organization extending from an atom to the biosphere. Reviewing these with students will help them to place these ecology chapters in context.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

7. Physical and chemical factors influence life in the biosphere
The most important abiotic factors that determine the biosphere’s structure and dynamics include
Solar energy
Temperature
Water
Nutrients
Other aquatic factors
Other terrestrial factors
Temperature is an important abiotic factor because of its effect on metabolism.
Few organisms can live at temperatures close to 0°C, and temperatures above 45°C.
Student Misconception—Need does not cause evolution. Natural selection is a process of editing, and not creating.
Student Misconception—The use of the term design in biology does not imply conscious invention. Instead, the term identifies the arrangement of the parts and their interrelated functions. Natural selection is not a deliberate process.
Student Misconceptions and Concerns
1. Students may confuse the terms ecology and environmentalism. The science of ecology and the environmental issues that it often raises are related but distinct processes.
Teaching Tips
1. As an exercise in student focus, consider challenging students to make lists of all the abiotic components in a given ecosystem. You might suggest a particular place to consider, such as a nearby park or other nearby area of natural interest. They may work in class in small groups, or turn the lists in as a short homework assignment (perhaps via ).
2. In general, the sun is the primary source of energy input to ecosystems. Hydrothermal vent communities are a clear exception. Some students might enjoy researching additional details about these ecosystems and the roles they might have played in the early evolution of life on Earth. One source of good information about hydrothermal vent communities is
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

8. Ecology & Environmental Problems
Human activities affect all parts of the biosphere
Cities, farms, and highways change the landscape
The widespread use of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides poses problems to people and other organisms
Student Misconceptions and Concerns
1. Students may confuse the terms ecology and environmentalism. The science of ecology and the environmental issues that it often raises are related but distinct processes.
Teaching Tips
1. A website devoted to Rachel Carson can be viewed at
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

9. Figure 34.2A Aerial view of a landscape changed by humans.

10. Ecology & Environmental Problems
Rachel Carson was one of the first to perceive the global dangers of pesticide abuse
Carson documented her concerns in the 1962 book Silent Spring
This book played a key role in the awakening of environmental awareness
Student Misconceptions and Concerns
1. Students may confuse the terms ecology and environmentalism. The science of ecology and the environmental issues that it often raises are related but distinct processes.
Teaching Tips
1. A website devoted to Rachel Carson can be viewed at
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

11. DDT
Figure 34.2B Rachel Carson.