Environmental Science Lesson 4.1: Studying Ecology PDF

Environmental Science Lesson 4.1: Studying Ecology  OBJECTIVES: 1. Describe the different levels of organization studied by ecologists. 2. Explain the difference between biotic and abiotic factors. 3. Discuss how an organism’s habitat relates to its survival.  LE...

Environmental Science Lesson 4.1: Studying Ecology  OBJECTIVES: 1. Describe the different levels of organization studied by ecologists. 2. Explain the difference between biotic and abiotic factors. 3. Discuss how an organism’s habitat relates to its survival.  LEVELS OF ECOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and with their environments. Levels of organization: ○ Individuals: relationship between an individual organism and their physical environment. ○ Populations: members of the same species living in the same area at the same time Species: group of individuals that interbreed and produce fertile offspring Species are given a 2-part scientific name.  LEVELS OF ECOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION Levels of organization (continued): Population ecology: study of how individuals within a population interact with one another ○ Communities: All of the populations in a particular area make up a community Community ecology: the study of interactions among species ○ Ecosystems: includes all of the living things and their physical environment within a particular area Ecosystem ecology: study of the living and nonliving components of a system together  LEVELS OF ECOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION Levels of organization (continued): ○ The Biosphere: includes all parts of Earth that host life, with all of its organisms and environments.  BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC FACTORS Biotic factors: parts of an ecosystem that are living or used to be living ○ Examples: Dead tree Bee Humans Abiotic factors: parts of ecosystem that have never been living ○ Examples: Temperature Wind, Water  HABITAT Habitat: specific environment in which an organism lives ○ Consists of biotic and abiotic factors around it Resource: anything an organism needs, including nutrition, shelter, breeding sites, and mates. Survival depends on availability of a suitable habitat and the resources it contains.