Chapters 3, 4, 5, & 6

IN 167IN 167HeadingHeading VocabularyVocabulary Important InfoImportant Info

Ecology is the study of interactionsinteractions between organisms and their environment. organisms and their environment.

1. Biosphere – portion of the EarthEarth supporting lifelife

2. Biotic factorsa. All organismsorganisms inhabiting the environmentb. The “livingliving” things in the environmentc. Each organism adapts to its part of the biosphere

3. Abiotic factorsa. NonlivingNonliving parts of the environmentb. Can determine which species will surviveCan determine which species will survive examples: rainfall, temperature, light, soil

Biotic FactorsBiotic Factors

Abiotic FactorsAbiotic Factors

ECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEM

1. Species: group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

2. Populationsa. A group of organisms of the same species living togethersame species living togetherb. Must compete for resources

2. Communitya. . Several populations Several populations that interactb. Changes in one population will cause changes in the others

3. Ecosystema. Interactions between Interactions between populations and their surroundingspopulations and their surroundingsb. 2 main types:

1. Terrestrial – landTerrestrial – land2. 2. Aquatic – fresh or salt Aquatic – fresh or salt

waterwater

Levels of Biological Organization Levels of Biological Organization

1. Niche The rolerole an organismorganism plays

in the environmentenvironment(Its “job” “job” in the community)

2. Habitat Place where an organism organism

liveslives

Cape May WarblerFeeds at the tips of branchesnear the top of the tree

Yellow-Rumped WarblerFeeds in the lower part of the tree andat the bases of the middle branches

Spruce tree

Bay-Breasted WarblerFeeds in the middlepart of the tree

Three Species of Warblers and their niches

Earthworm Example Habitat of the earthworm: in the soil. Niche: To aerateaerate ( add air to or oxygenate) the

soil.