Ecology
Study of the interactions of organisms with one
another and with their physical surroundings.
Earth is a Living Planet
Earth is a single living system.
It is a biosphere.
A view of
Earth from
space
A Central Park
woodland
Approaching
Central Park (the
red rectangle in
the middle of
this photo)
An eastern
gray squirrel
Figure 1.2.1
A Hierarchy of Interactions
Organismal
ecology
(individual)
Population
ecology
(group of
individuals)
Community
ecology (all
organisms in a
particular area)
Ecosystem ecology
(all organisms and
abiotic factors)
Ecosystems
consists of a given
area’s physical
features
abiotic factors
(______________)
and living
organisms
biotic factors
(______________).
B. ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE
1. abiotic factors – ____________________
nonliving components
examples: __________________________
water, light, heat, gases, minerals
2. Biotic factors –
organisms transfer energy,
participate in cycle of chemicals,
change environment
Introductory Questions #6
1. A group of ecosystems that have the same climate
& dominate communities are called _______.
2. At what biological levels does the study of
Ecology include? (see Fig. 3-2)
3. Ecological research involves three fundamental
approaches. Name these three approaches. (see
Fig. 3-3)
4. What is the main energy source for all life?
5. Explain how an autotroph is different from a
heterotroph. Give three examples for each.
Ecology analyzes the highest level on the heirarchy
(pg. 1082)
Ecosystems
Biotic Factors
Living aspects of an
ecosystem such
as_____________
fishes, frogs,
_______________,
insects,
worms,snails,
amoebas, and
waterlilies.
Biotic Factors
Habitats
• the location
or
surrounding
where the
organism
lives
Community
organisms living together in an ecosystem
Niches
the behavior of organisms in their habitats.
Abiotic factors
nonliving physical parts
of an ecosystem such as
_______________
type, rocks,
water,
sunlight, soil
temperature,
_______________,
and rainfall.
humidity, elevation
Wind: Can affect the
pattern of a plant’s growth
Abiotic Factors
Temperature
 Sunlight
 Water & precipitation
 Wind
 Rocks & Soil
 Climate (prevailing weather comb of factors)
 Bodies of water: lakes, oceans, rivers
 Seasons & positioning of the Earth
 Mountains
