Study of all the interactions within

an ecosystem

Ecology

Ecology The study of interactions

that take place between organisms and their environment.

The interaction of biotic and abiotic factors.

Biotic Factors

The Living parts of the environment.

(giraffe, trees, grass…)

Abiotic Factors

The Nonliving parts of the environment.

(temp., humidity, rocks, water…)

Living Levels of Organization

Cell – Tissue – Organs - *Organism – *Species – *Population – *Community – *Ecosystems – *Biomes –*Biosphere

Species

Population

Community

Niche The role an organism plays in its

environment. Rule: No two organisms can occupy the same niche at the same time for very long.

Ecosystem

Made up of interacting populations in a biological community this includes the abiotic factors as well.

There are two major kinds of ecosystems—terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems.

BiomesRainforest

Taiga

Desert

Tundra

Deciduous Temperate Rainforest

Ocean

Lake

River

Let’s name some Aquatic freshwater….

saltwater……

brackish water…

Terrestrial…

The biosphere is the portion of Earth that supports living things.

It extends from high in the atmosphere to the bottom of the oceans.

The BiosphereThe Biosphere

Organisms in EcosystemsOrganisms in Ecosystems A habitat

is the place where an organism lives out its life.

Symbiosis Living Together

3 Types

Mutualism Both species Benefit

from the relationship.

Parasitism One species benefits

the other is harmed

Commensalism One species benefits

The other is not hurt or helped

Organisms and Energy

All the energy on Earth ultimately comes from the sun!!

Autotroph Organisms that use

the energy from the sun to produce their own food.

(producers)

Heterotroph Consumes other organisms as food

source. 3-Types

1. Herbivores

2. Carnivores

3. Scavengers and decomposers

Herbivores Heterotrophs that

consume plants only.

Ex: cows, deer, rabbits…

(First order consumers)

Carnivores Heterotrophs that

consume other animals.

Ex: Humans, cats…

(Second… order consumers.)

Omnivore Eats dead and

living organisms. Example…us

Scavengers Feed on ONLY dead

organisms. Ex: vultures

Decomposers Break down dead

plants and animals. Ex: Bacteria and

fungus In an aquatic system

these organisms are called…

DETRITIVORES

How does energy flow through the ecosystem???

In ONE direction only

Sun-Producers-Consumers-Decomposers- Released as heat

Sun-Producers-Consumers-Decomposers- Released as heat

Autotrophs

First-order heterotrophs

Third-order heterotrophs Second-order

heterotrophs

Decomposers

Food Chain Simplest exchange of

energy.

Food Web: Interconnected, overlapping food chains

Food Web

Ecological Pyramids

Shows how energy flows through the ecosystem

Energy Pyramid Shows how energy

decreases by 90% at each trophic level.

Only 10% of the energy is passed onto the next level.

Energy Pyramid Organisms at the

bottom of the pyramid are more numerous than at the top.

Different Types of Pyramids

Nutrients Nutrients cycle

continuously cycle through the ecosystem, never disappearing.

Water Cycle Helps move nutrients and sustain all life in

an ecosystem.Evaporation

Condensation

Precipitation…moves water on surface

Ground water

Aquifers

Percolation…stores and purifies water

Water Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle 2 most important parts…takes nitrogen

from atmosphere and moves it into ecosystem.

1. Nitrification

2. Denitrification

Carbon Cycle

Simply moves carbon from atmosphere into ecosytem.

Supports most all living organisms…carbon is produced by autotrophs by ENERGY from the SUN.

By far the most abundant nutrient.

Carbon Cycle