1. Living Things and the Environment Ecosystems

2. Ecology What is it? Definition: The study of how living things interact with each other and their environment. Ecologist study how organisms react to changes in their environment

3. Ecosystems Definition: The community of organisms that live in a particular area, along with their nonliving surroundings. Living components are called Biotic factors Nonliving components are called Abiotic factors.

4. Biotic Factors Definition: The living parts of a habitat Habitat: an environment that provides the things the organism needs to live, grow and reproduce. Examples: deserts, grasslands, tropical rain forest, oceans.

5. Biotic Factor Terms Organism: a single living thing Species: a group of organisms that are physically similar & can mate with each other and produce offspring that can do the same. Population: All members of one species in a particular area. Community: All the different populations that live together in an area.

6. Example: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Species All the different populations that live together in an area. All members of one species in a particular area a single living thing

8. Abiotic Factors Definition: Nonliving parts of an organism’s habitat. Include: –Water –Sunlight –Oxygen –Temperature –Soil Assignment: –On the back of the organizer, outline each abiotic factor as to it’s importance to an ecosystem. (have 3) –(Hint see p. 8) –Example: Water required for all living things to carry out their life processes large part of living things bodies are made up of water (65%) Ingredient of photosynthesis in plants.