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Ecology & Levels of Organization

ECOLOGY &LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION

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with a whole lot of other creatures…We share the Earth…

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We don’t share very well….

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Ecology

study of interactions between the living creatures (biotic factors) & the nonliving factors (abiotic), because…

Everything is connectedto everything else

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Environment The physical, chemical and biological

factors that act upon living things.

Surroundings… The environment ultimately determines

the survival of the organisms!!!

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Levels of Organization of the Environment

1. Species Smallest

2. Population

3. Community

4.Ecosystem

5.Biome

6.Biosphere Largest

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Levels of Organization

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1st Level of Organization

SpeciesA group of organisms so similar that

they can breed and produce fertile offspring.

Ex.

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A Species has a HOME

Habitat:The area an organism live in.

Possible habitats: river, coral reef, deciduous forest

Ex. A lives in a

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A Species has a JOB…

Niche: An organisms role in the ecosystem…what it takes and gives back to that ecosystem.

No two species can

share the same niche or

competition occurs and

one will lose out!

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2nd Level of Organization

Populations

Population- all the organisms of the SAME species that live in the same area

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3rd Level of OrganizationCommunity- populations of different

species that live in the same area

Feeding relationships

Community

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4th Level of Organization

EcosystemAll the organisms that live in a

particular area AND their nonliving environment.

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Living vs. Nonliving FactorsBIOTIC ABIOTIC The living parts of The physical

(nonliving)the environment factors that affect the survival of each organism

Ex: water, air, rock

soil, light, temperature

Ex. Plants, animals, bacteria

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Biotic Factors

ECOSYSTEM

Abiotic Factors

Abiotic and Biotic Factors

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Limiting Factors

An ecosystem only has so many resources…

Limiting Factors: Conditions that limit the growth of a population

Ex: The growth of a bunny population Air Water Food Shelter Predators Temperature Nutrients Space

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Carrying CapacityThe number of organisms an

ecosystem can support

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5th Level of Organization Biome Click me

a group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant

communities.

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5th Level of Organization Biome

Biomes may be terrestrial (land) or marine(water) determined by their

geography and climate

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6th Level of Organization:

Biosphere = Earth(Bio =living Sphere = Earth… Living Earth)

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The part of Earththat contains all

ecosystems

Community and its nonliving surroundings

Populations thatlive together in a

defined area

Group of organisms of one type that live in the same area