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
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