Ecology

Driving Questions1) Define Ecology.2) Differentiate between biotic and abiotic factors

and give examples of each.3) What is an ecosystem? Give some examples of

ecosystems.4) What are some of the major biomes in the world? 5) Give examples of how biotic and abiotic factors in

an ecosystem interact with each other.6) Draw an illustration of the levels of organization

from a cell all the way up to a biome.7) Explain each level of organization.

Ecology• the study of the relationships between biotic

and abiotic factors in environments

Ecosystem• Includes all of the living things and theenvironment in which they live• includes all abiotic and biotic factors• Biotic Factors: the living parts of an ecosystem• Abiotic Factors: the nonliving parts of an

ecosystem

Biotic Factors• include plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms

Abiotic Factors• include air, water, soil, temperature, wind,

source of energy (usually sun)

Ecosystems• do not necessarily have clear boundaries due

to biotic and abiotic changes• can change daily as things move from one

ecosystem to another• Biotic: migration, seed dispersal • Abiotic: flood, erosion, drought

Biotic Factors• interact with each other in complex ways• such asSymbiotic relationships:• Parasitism• Mutualism• Competition

Biotic Factors• also interact with abiotic factors in the

ecosystem• dependent upon water, minerals,

temperature, light

Biotic Factor Interactions:Symbiotic Relationships

• Parasitism: one organism benefits (the parasite), while the other is harmed (host)

Biotic Factor Interactions:Symbiotic Relationships

• Commensalism: one organism is benefits while the other is not affected

Biotic Factor Interactions:Symbiotic Relationships

• Mutualism: both organisms in the relationship benefit

Biome• a major regional or global biotic community, a

super ecosystem, defined chiefly by the dominant forms of plant life and the prevailing climate

Major Biomes of the World• Desert• Grassland• Tropical Rainforest• Deciduous Forest• Coniferous Forest• Tundra• Ocean

Levels of Organization• Biosphere -LARGEST• Biome• Ecosystem• Community• Population• Organism• Organ System• Organ• Tissue• Cell-SMALLEST

Habitats and Niches• Within an ecosystem, organisms

occupy habitats and niches.• What are these and what is the

difference between these?

Habitat• A location in the environment where

an organism can grow and survive• Includes all of the physical and

biological resources available to a species

Niche• Refers to the way an organism fits

into and survives in its ecosystem• Includes not only where it lives but

what it does in its environment• No two species occupy exactly the

same niche• Niche is determined by physical

characteristics of organism, its behavior, how it reproduces, etc.