What is Ecology?

A. Ecology

The study of interactions of organisms and between organisms and their environment.

B. Levels of Organization

1. Species (smallest)

2. Populations

3. Communities

4. Ecosystems

5. Biomes

6. The Biosphere (largest)

1. Species

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

Panthera leo

2. Population

A group of similar organisms that belong to the same species, can interbreed, live in the same area

3. Community

An assemblage of different populations that live together in a defined area.

Many species!

4. Ecosystem All the organisms that live in a place

and their physical environment Biotic factor: biological (living)

influences on an organism Predators Food Other members of a community

Abiotic factor: physical (non-living) components Sunlight Precipitation Heat

5. Biome A group of ecosystems that share

similar climates and organisms Temperate deciduous forest (here) Desert Tundra Savanna

6. Biosphere

The entire planet with all organisms and physical environments