Environment and Ecology

Environment and Life

Habitat

• A habitat is the natural environment in which an organism lives, including living and non-living factors
• Examples of habitats: deserts, rainforests, oceans, grasslands, and more

Ecological Niche

• An ecological niche is the specific role an organism plays in its environment
• Includes the organism's diet, predators, prey, and interactions with other species

Environmental Factors

• Abiotic factors: non-living components of the environment, such as:
  • Temperature
  • Light
  • Water
  • Soil
  • Air
• Biotic factors: living components of the environment, such as:
  • Other organisms
  • Predators
  • Prey
  • Competitors
  • Symbionts

Adaptation

• The process by which an organism becomes better suited to its environment
• Examples of adaptations:
  • Desert plants with deep roots to access water
  • Arctic animals with thick fur to conserve heat
  • Camouflage to avoid predators

Interdependence

• The relationships between different species in an ecosystem
• Examples of interdependence:
  • Mutualism: clownfish and sea anemone
  • Commensalism: remora fish and sharks
  • Parasitism: tapeworms and their hosts

Ecosystem Services

• The benefits provided by functioning ecosystems, including:
  • Provisioning services: food, water, and other resources
  • Regulating services: climate regulation, pollination, and pest control
  • Cultural services: recreation, tourism, and spiritual values
  • Supporting services: nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production

Environment and Life

Habitat

• Natural environment in which an organism lives, including living and non-living factors
• Examples: deserts, rainforests, oceans, grasslands, and more

Ecological Niche

• Specific role an organism plays in its environment
• Includes: diet, predators, prey, and interactions with other species

Environmental Factors

Abiotic Factors

• Non-living components of the environment
• Examples: temperature, light, water, soil, air

Biotic Factors

• Living components of the environment
• Examples: other organisms, predators, prey, competitors, symbionts

Adaptation

• Process by which an organism becomes better suited to its environment
• Examples: desert plants with deep roots, Arctic animals with thick fur, camouflage to avoid predators

Interdependence

• Relationships between different species in an ecosystem
• Examples: mutualism (clownfish and sea anemone), commensalism (remora fish and sharks), parasitism (tapeworms and hosts)

Ecosystem Services

• Benefits provided by functioning ecosystems

Provisioning Services

• Food, water, and other resources

Regulating Services

• Climate regulation, pollination, pest control

Cultural Services

• Recreation, tourism, spiritual values

Supporting Services

• Nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production

Explore the natural environment and ecological roles of organisms, including habitats, niches, and environmental factors.