Interactions in the Ecosystem

• Habitats & Niches• Evolution

Essentials for LIFE1.Food2.Water3.Climate4.Reproduction5.Shelter

Habitat1.Provides essentials for life.

2.Size

Niche1.Role of an organism in the ecosystem

2.The organism’s habitat3.What the organism does with its habitat.

Biotic Factors 1.Food sources2.Predation3.Competition

Abiotic Factors1.Temperature2.Sunlight3.Water4.Time of day/night.

Competition1.If two species try to share the same niche they will compete for limited resources.

2.Members of the same species are adapted to the same niche.

What happens when there is competition

for a niche?

1.One species moves2.Competitive exclusion (extinction due to competition for a resource)

Fundamental NicheA niche without limits from

competition or predation.

Ex Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the world

Realized Niche•The niche actually used by an organism.

•It is limited by competition for resources or predation.

•It’s a way of coping with species interaction.

PredatorAn organism that actively

hunts other organisms.•Decreases the population size

of their prey. • Increasing diversity

EX lions, shark, eagle, etc.

What might happen if all the carnivores

were removed?

AdaptationOrganisms respond to a

changing habitat.

EvolutionChange in a population

over time.

Specialized species

•Narrow niche•Vulnerable to extinction

•Cannot respond to changes

Convergent evolution

•Con = (with, together)•Two different species adapt similar traits due to living in similar habitats.

Ex bats and birds

Can you think of any defenses

we’ve adapted to survive a

changing habitat?