Chapter 6Chapter 6

EcologyEcology

EcosystemsEcosystemsSection 6-1H.W. pg. 156 ques. 1-4Section 6-1H.W. pg. 156 ques. 1-4

In a forest live many organisms. There might In a forest live many organisms. There might be deer, insects, plants, mushrooms, birds, be deer, insects, plants, mushrooms, birds, deer, etc..deer, etc..

All of these organisms, along with other All of these organisms, along with other nonliving things, like rocks, and water, nonliving things, like rocks, and water, composed what we call an ecosystem.composed what we call an ecosystem.

An ecosystem is made up of organisms An ecosystem is made up of organisms interacting with one another and with interacting with one another and with nonliving factors to form a working unit.nonliving factors to form a working unit.

EcosystemsEcosystems

An example of when organisms interact with An example of when organisms interact with one another would be when a lion hunts down one another would be when a lion hunts down its prey, or when two organisms mate to its prey, or when two organisms mate to produce an offspring.produce an offspring.

An example of when an organism interacts An example of when an organism interacts with nonliving things would be when an with nonliving things would be when an animal hides beneath a rock for shelter or animal hides beneath a rock for shelter or protection. protection.

The Largest EcosystemThe Largest Ecosystem

Ecosystems come in all sizes. A forest is a Ecosystems come in all sizes. A forest is a large one, and a pile of leaves can be large one, and a pile of leaves can be considered a small one.considered a small one.

The largest ecosystem is called the biosphere.The largest ecosystem is called the biosphere. The biosphere is the part of the Earthwhere The biosphere is the part of the Earthwhere

organisms can live. It includes the topmost organisms can live. It includes the topmost layer of the Earth’s crust, all bodies of water, layer of the Earth’s crust, all bodies of water, and the surrounding atmosphere.and the surrounding atmosphere.

The biosphere is made up of all of the Earth’s The biosphere is made up of all of the Earth’s ecosystems combined.ecosystems combined.

Living Parts of an EcosystemsLiving Parts of an Ecosystems Some examples of ecosystems are deserts, Some examples of ecosystems are deserts,

mountains, rivers, prairies, wetlands, forests, mountains, rivers, prairies, wetlands, forests, plains, oceans, etc….plains, oceans, etc….

Each ecosystem contains many different living Each ecosystem contains many different living organisms. Take a rotting tree trunk for organisms. Take a rotting tree trunk for example.example.

Bacteria, insects, birds, and other animals can Bacteria, insects, birds, and other animals can all live there at once.all live there at once.

The living parts of an ecosystem are called The living parts of an ecosystem are called biotic factors and they depend on other biotic biotic factors and they depend on other biotic factors for food, shelter, and protection.factors for food, shelter, and protection.

Nonliving parts of an ecosystemNonliving parts of an ecosystem

Abiotic factors are nonliving factors of an Abiotic factors are nonliving factors of an ecosystem. They include the air, water, soil, ecosystem. They include the air, water, soil, rocks, etc….rocks, etc….

These factors affect the type and number of These factors affect the type and number of organisms living in a particular environment.organisms living in a particular environment.

We are going to take a look at some important We are going to take a look at some important abiotic factors such as; water, soil, abiotic factors such as; water, soil, temperature, and sunlight.temperature, and sunlight.

Abiotic FactorsAbiotic Factors Soil- this is an abiotic factor that can affect which Soil- this is an abiotic factor that can affect which

plants and organisms are found in an ecosystem.plants and organisms are found in an ecosystem. Not all soils are the same. Within soil there are many Not all soils are the same. Within soil there are many

elements and compounds, as well as minerals and elements and compounds, as well as minerals and vitamins that plants and other organisms need to vitamins that plants and other organisms need to survive.survive.

Different soils have different amounts of these Different soils have different amounts of these vitamins and minerals, and compounds. And these vitamins and minerals, and compounds. And these different levels are different for each ecosystem.different levels are different for each ecosystem.

The soil you find in Iowa is not going to be the same The soil you find in Iowa is not going to be the same as the soil in California.as the soil in California.

Abiotic FactorsAbiotic Factors

Temperature- this also can determine which Temperature- this also can determine which organisms live in a particular place. Tropical plants organisms live in a particular place. Tropical plants will not survive in a dry desert.will not survive in a dry desert.

Water- Water composes most of living things. We Water- Water composes most of living things. We are more than 65% water. It also helps out living are more than 65% water. It also helps out living things carry out many important processes such as things carry out many important processes such as digestion and waste removal.digestion and waste removal.

Also the amount of water in an ecosystem can Also the amount of water in an ecosystem can determine how many organisms can live in a determine how many organisms can live in a particular area. It can also serve as shelter and as a particular area. It can also serve as shelter and as a way to move from place to place.way to move from place to place.

Abiotic FactorsAbiotic Factors Sunlight- The sun the main source of energy Sunlight- The sun the main source of energy

for most organisms on Earth.for most organisms on Earth. Sunlight is used by plants to go through Sunlight is used by plants to go through

photosynthesis and produce food. photosynthesis and produce food. Humans and other animals obtain their energy Humans and other animals obtain their energy

by eating the plants, so the energy we get from by eating the plants, so the energy we get from plants was once sunlight. plants was once sunlight.

A Balanced SystemA Balanced System

Every ecosystem is made up of many different factors Every ecosystem is made up of many different factors that work together. When these factors are in balance that work together. When these factors are in balance with one another the whole ecosystem is in balance.with one another the whole ecosystem is in balance.

Ecosystems are always changing and many events Ecosystems are always changing and many events can change the balance of an ecosystem, like a can change the balance of an ecosystem, like a drought.drought.

Some organisms like plants or fish would not survive Some organisms like plants or fish would not survive to long without water and might have to find new to long without water and might have to find new homes.homes.

Relationships Among Living ThingsRelationships Among Living ThingsSec. 6-2 H.W. pg 164 ques. 1-4 & pg 172 ques. 1-5Sec. 6-2 H.W. pg 164 ques. 1-4 & pg 172 ques. 1-5

We have to know that ecosystems are organized by We have to know that ecosystems are organized by scientists so that it is easier to study. scientists so that it is easier to study.

They study hoe the members of a group interact with They study hoe the members of a group interact with each other and their environments.each other and their environments.

Now lets look at groups of organisms. Take a sea Now lets look at groups of organisms. Take a sea horse for example. They live in coral reefs in warm horse for example. They live in coral reefs in warm waters. waters.

The coral reefs are the ecosystem that the sea horses The coral reefs are the ecosystem that the sea horses live in. And all the seahorses that live in this live in. And all the seahorses that live in this particular coral reef are considered a population.particular coral reef are considered a population.

A population is a group of the same type of A population is a group of the same type of organisms living in the same place at the same time.organisms living in the same place at the same time.

What are some other populations that might live in What are some other populations that might live in this coral ecosystem?this coral ecosystem?

Groups of PopulationsGroups of Populations Many populations live within an ecosystem, Many populations live within an ecosystem,

like the coral reef.like the coral reef. All of the populations that live in an ecosystem All of the populations that live in an ecosystem

are called a community. are called a community. So in our coral reef ecosystem the community So in our coral reef ecosystem the community

that might live there are the seahorses, that might live there are the seahorses, sponges, algae, fish, etc…..sponges, algae, fish, etc…..

The members of a community depend on each The members of a community depend on each other for food, shelter, and some other needs.other for food, shelter, and some other needs.

Population DensityPopulation Density

In this class there is a population of students In this class there is a population of students and this classroom is a certain size.and this classroom is a certain size.

So if there are 22 students in this class and this So if there are 22 students in this class and this room is 100 square feet.room is 100 square feet.

This means that the population density is 2.2 This means that the population density is 2.2 students per square foot.students per square foot.