Intro to BiologyBiomes and Ecosystems

Ecology The scientific study of the relationships

of living organisms and their natural environment

Abiotic Non-living components (the non-living

parts of an environment

Examples: sunlight, soil, moisture and temperature

Abiotic Components

Biotic Living components (living organisms in

an environment)

Examples: plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria

Biotic Factors

Biosphere The biosphere is the thin layer of air,

land and water on or near Earth’s surface in which all living things on Earth exist

Biome Large regions that have similar biotic

components (such as similar plants and animals) and similar abiotic components (such as similar temperature and amount of rainfall)

Ecosystems Part of a biome whose biotic

components (such as similar plants and animals) and abiotic components are similar

What’s the difference between a Biome and an Ecosystem?

A biome is made up of many similar ecosystems

An ecosystem is often much smaller than a biome

Ecosystems refer to the interactions between living things and the nonliving things in a place

Biomes refer to the areas with similar features

Habitat The place where an organism lives

What is the difference between an Ecosystem and a Habitat?

An ecosystem refers to the living and nonliving factors that characterize an area

A habitat refers to where an organism lives

Habitats are communities within an ecosystem

Species vs.

Population vs.

Community

Species vs. Populations vs. Community

Species = a group of closely related organisms that can reproduce with one another

Population = all the members of a particular species within an ecosystem

Community = all the populations of the different species that interact in a specific area or ecosystem

Ecological Hierarchy Ecological hierarchy is the order of biotic

interactions and relationships in an ecosystem: Organ system Organisms (species) Population Community Ecosystem (along with the nonliving organisms) Biome Biosphere

Organisms Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere

Bringing it all together

3 biotic factors

3 abiotic factors

Bringing it all together

3 biotic factors

3 abiotic factors

What are Niches? Organisms have special roles in the

ecosystems in which they live. The term niche is used to describe these roles.

An organism’s niche includes the way in which the organism contributes to and fits into its environment.

All the physical, chemical, and biological interactions required for a species to survive, grow, and reproduce are part of the organism’s niche

Example of a Niche Example: Great Blue Heron’s

live near water where they can fish and nest in nearby trees and bushes. Because of their long legs, they can find food in deeper water, which allows them to occupy a niche that other herons with shorter legs cannot