3. What is Ecology? Defined: Studying how life interacts within the biosphere is called Ecology All life interacts within the biosphere – Area within the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountains

4. Defined: Group of one species living in the same area Population changes based on: – Births, Deaths, Immigration, Emigration, Available resources Click on information box Populations

13. Limiting Factors Birth & death rates eventually balance – Factors: Disease, food, predators, climate, space, mates Populations become stable Carrying Capacity: greatest number of individuals that a population can sustain What stage is the human population in?

14. Human Population: Fast Growth Stage How have humans extended our carrying capacity? Farming Medical innovations Clean water Public assistance

15. Rapid Future Population Increase Typical Reproductive years

16. Slow Future Population Increase Typical Reproductive years

17. Stable Population Typical Reproductive years

18. Declining Future Population Growth

19. Which shows a declining population? Typical Reproductive years

20. Communities Defined: Populations of many species living in the same area at the same time Each organism has it own HABITAT – Habitat: Place where an organism lives Each species has its own NICHE – Niche: The role/needs of a species – Ex: Termites return nutrients to the soil

22. Ecosystems Defined: Community of species interacting with the living & non-living Desert Biotic Factors: – Animals: Mice, Reptiles, Insects – Plants: Cactus, Flowers, Shrubs Desert Abiotic Factors: Sand, rocks, sunlight Ecosystem changes affect biodiversity – Keystone species greatly alter ecosystems

25. Factors of Ecosystems Biotic Factors: – Bio = Life Defined: Living factors of an environment Ex: Predators/prey Abiotic Factors – A = without – Bio = Life Defined: Nonliving factors of an environment Ex: Soil, Climate, temps, water, wind

27. What is a Biome? Defined: Large area with distinct climate, plant, and animal life Climate factors: sun, rain, topography Climate determines life