Ecology
- Ecology is the study of the inter-relationship of organisms to each other and to their environment.
The environment constitutes the surroundings of an organisms both living (biotic) and non-living
(abiotic)
Abiotic
- An abiotic factor is any non-living factor that is used or present in an ecosystem. Common abiotic
factors includes;
➔ Sunlight, oxygen, nitrogen, climate, temperature, pH levels, and water.
Biotic
- Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem. They are sorted into three groups
➔ Producers (autotrophs)
➔ Consumers (heterotrophs)
➔ Decomposers (detritivores)
Levels of organizations:
Individual Organisms
↓
Species
Organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
↓
Populations
The number of organisms of the same species that live in a particular area at the same time
↓
Communities
An interacting group of various species (populations) in a common location
↓
Ecosystem
A system that includes all living organisms (biotic factors) in an area as well as its physical
environment (abiotic factors) functioning together as a unit
↓
Biosphere
The biosphere is the portion of earth where life occurs -- the portions of the land, water and air that
hold life. These parts are known, respectively as the lithosphere (soil and rock), hydrosphere (water)
and atmosphere (gasses)
- Ecology is the study of the inter-relationship of organisms to each other and to their environment.
The environment constitutes the surroundings of an organisms both living (biotic) and non-living
(abiotic)
Abiotic
- An abiotic factor is any non-living factor that is used or present in an ecosystem. Common abiotic
factors includes;
➔ Sunlight, oxygen, nitrogen, climate, temperature, pH levels, and water.
Biotic
- Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem. They are sorted into three groups
➔ Producers (autotrophs)
➔ Consumers (heterotrophs)
➔ Decomposers (detritivores)
Levels of organizations:
Individual Organisms
↓
Species
Organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
↓
Populations
The number of organisms of the same species that live in a particular area at the same time
↓
Communities
An interacting group of various species (populations) in a common location
↓
Ecosystem
A system that includes all living organisms (biotic factors) in an area as well as its physical
environment (abiotic factors) functioning together as a unit
↓
Biosphere
The biosphere is the portion of earth where life occurs -- the portions of the land, water and air that
hold life. These parts are known, respectively as the lithosphere (soil and rock), hydrosphere (water)
and atmosphere (gasses)
