THE BIOSPHERE, BIOMES, ECOSYSTEMS
& ANIMAL RELATIONSHIPS
, Definitions
• Ecology = study of the Earth & the interaction of organisms
with their physical environment & with one another (‘oikos’ =
our home)
• Biosphere = all parts of Earth where living things exist
(atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere)
• Biodiversity = diversity of life on Earth or in a particular area
• Abiotic = non-living elements of an environment
• Biotic = living elements of an environment
• Ecosystem = all living organisms interacting with their non-
living environment in a particular area
• Sustainable practice = a practice maintained over time not
causing damage or depletion
, Biosphere
• Atmosphere = thin layer of air around the
Earth (incl. troposphere; stratosphere)
• Hydrosphere = all forms of water on or around
Earth
• Lithosphere = crust (nutrients) & upper mantle
(fossil fuels & minerals)
, Biosphere
Terrestrial biomes Aquatic biomes Atmospheric biomes
Ecosystems
Community
Population (species)
Organism
& ANIMAL RELATIONSHIPS
, Definitions
• Ecology = study of the Earth & the interaction of organisms
with their physical environment & with one another (‘oikos’ =
our home)
• Biosphere = all parts of Earth where living things exist
(atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere)
• Biodiversity = diversity of life on Earth or in a particular area
• Abiotic = non-living elements of an environment
• Biotic = living elements of an environment
• Ecosystem = all living organisms interacting with their non-
living environment in a particular area
• Sustainable practice = a practice maintained over time not
causing damage or depletion
, Biosphere
• Atmosphere = thin layer of air around the
Earth (incl. troposphere; stratosphere)
• Hydrosphere = all forms of water on or around
Earth
• Lithosphere = crust (nutrients) & upper mantle
(fossil fuels & minerals)
, Biosphere
Terrestrial biomes Aquatic biomes Atmospheric biomes
Ecosystems
Community
Population (species)
Organism
