6.12EF: Organization and Interactions
in an Ecosystem
Organisms and Environments
Part I: Leveling an Ecosystem
Fundamental Question: What are the levels of organization within an ecosystem?
Organism
Niche of Organism:
Box 1
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Population
Characteristics of Population:
Box 2
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Community
Other Organisms in the Community:
Box 3
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
Ecosystem
Biotic Factors:
Box 4
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Abiotic Factors:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
1
6.12EF: Organization and Interactions
in an Ecosystem
Organisms and Environments
Part II: Ecosystem Pyramid
Fundamental Question: What are the levels of organization within an ecosystem?
Refer to your completed boxes
from Part I to put it all together in
the Ecosystem Pyramid. Start by
drawing your single organism at
the top, and then work your way
down to the “big picture” - the
Ecosystem.
Organism
Population
Community
Ecosystem
2
6.12EF: Organization and Interactions
in an Ecosystem
Organisms and Environments
Reflections and Conclusions
1. 
Reflect on your Ecosystem. Describe how abiotic parts interact with the ecosystem’s
biotic parts.
_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2. 
In what ways do the different levels of your ecosystem rely on each other? Explain
using one specific example.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
3. 
Imagine you are one of your organisms. Tell a brief story about a day in your life,
describing interactions with abiotic and biotic parts of your ecosystem at each level of
your pyramid. Use an additional page, as needed.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
3