The Biosphere:Ecology

I. The Enviroment

• A. Ecology- the study of interactions among organisms & their environment– 1. Scientist who study ecology are called ecologists– 2. Ecologist carry out research through: observing,

experimenting & modeling

• B. Environmental Factors that influence an environment– 1. Abiotic factors- non living factors– 2. Biotic Factors- living and once living factors• a. organized by complexity

II. Abiotic Factors• A. All living things depend on abiotic factors for

survival• B. All abiotic factors that affect the biotic factors:– 1. Water- needed for respiration, digestion, &

photosynthesis– 2. Light/Temperature- needed for plants to convert

thermal energy to chemical energy. Determine what species live in an area

– 3. Air- cleanliness of air (pollution), and pressure– 4. Soil- nutrients, minerals & moisture determine what

plants thrive in a location

How can abiotic factors effect living organisms?

Osmotic Regulators: Artci Charr Fish & Humpback whales

Nonosmotic Regulators: Ocean Kelp & Feather Duster Worms

Cold blooded: poikilothermic

Warm blooded: homeothermic

III. Biotic Factors• A. Organisms depend on other living things too

• B. Biotic Factors are organized to include one organism up to an entire planet

– 1. Organism(Species) Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere

IV. Levels of Organization• 1. Species- one group that is the same (can breed

& reproduce)• 2. Population- all individuals of a species living in

the same area• 3. Community- populations of other species that

interact with one another

IV. Levels of Organization• 4. Ecosystem- all the communities including living

and non-living factors • 5. Biome- large region with same climate and

similar dominant communities• 6. Biosphere- combined portions of the planet in

which all life exists

• a. Biotic factors organization example

–Roger Rabbit Rogers extended family Rabbits, insects, plants, & jaguars Rabbits, insects, plants, jaguars, soil, streams/rivers, moderate temperature The Savannah

Review Questions• 1. Compare & Contrast Abiotic and Biotic factors– List five examples of each that are in your ecosystem

• 2. Explain how biotic factors would change in an ecosystem that had been flooded

• 3. Create a chain of examples of how biotic factors are organized. Starting from organism and ending with biome.