Ecology
Ecology
Ecology
Define ecology
The scientific study of interactions
among organisms and between
organisms and the environment.
Biosphere contains the combined
portions of the planet in which all of
life exist, including land, water and
atmosphere
Level of Organization of an
Ecosystem
Species
• Species - group
of organisms so
similar to
another that they
can breed and
produce fertile
offspring
Population
• Population – same
species and live in
same area
Community
• Communities –
different populations
that live together in a
defined area
Ecosystem
• Ecosystem – a
collection of all
organisms that live in
a particular place
together with their
nonliving
environment.
Biome
• Biome – a group of
ecosystems that have
the same climate and
similar dominant
communities.
What shapes an Ecosystem?
Biotic and Abiotic
• Biotic and Abiotic factors determine the
survival and growth of an organism and the
productivity of the ecosystem in which an
organism lives.
Biotic Factors
• Living Factors that
influence an
ecosystem
• Plant life
• Animal life
Abiotic Factors
• Physical, non-living
factors that influence
an ecosystem
• Examples-
temperature,
precipitation,
humidity, wind,
nutrients, sunlight
Other factors that affect an
Ecosystem
• The area where an • A niche is the full
organism lives is range of physical and
called its habitat. biological conditions
in which an organism
• Habitats provide lives and the way in
which the organism
populations of wildlife
with food, water, uses those conditions.
shelter and space. It is an organisms’
occupation.
Cycles that affect Ecosystems
Water Cycle
Water Cycle Definitions
• Evaporation – process of becoming a vapor; liquid to a gas
• Condensation – state of matter from gas to liquid; reverse
of vaporization
• Precipitation – the amount of water that falls to earth as
snow, sleet, hail, rain, mist
• Transpiration – loss of water from a plant through its
leaves
• Runoff – the flow of water, from snow and rain
• Infiltration – process by which water on the ground enters
soil
Carbon Cycle
CO2 Cycle Description
• Plants release O2 into atmosphere as a
waste product
• Animals release CO2 into atmosphere as a
waste product
• Factories and cars release CO2 into
atmosphere through combustion.
• Plants use CO2 during photosynthesis and
animals use O2 for respiration.
Energy Flow
• Every organism needs energy to power
life’s processes