Study of all the
interactions within
an ecosystem
Ecology
Ecology

The study of interactions
that take place between
organisms and their
environment.

The interaction of biotic
and abiotic factors.
Biotic Factors

The Living parts of the
environment.
(giraffe, trees, grass…)
Abiotic Factors

The Nonliving parts of
the environment.
(temp., humidity, rocks, water…)
Living Levels of Organization

Cell – Tissue – Organs - *Organism –
*Species – *Population – *Community –
*Ecosystems – *Biomes –*Biosphere
Species
Population
Community
Niche
The role an organism plays in its
environment.
 Rule: No two organisms can occupy the
same niche at the same time for very long.

Ecosystem

Made up of interacting populations in a biological
community this includes the abiotic factors as
well.

There are two major kinds of ecosystems—
terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems.
Biomes
Rainforest
Taiga
Desert
Tundra
Deciduous Temperate Rainforest
Ocean
Lake
River
Let’s name some

Aquatic
freshwater….
saltwater……
brackish water…

Terrestrial…
The Biosphere

The biosphere is the
portion of Earth that
supports living
things.

It extends from high in
the atmosphere to the
bottom of the oceans.
Organisms in Ecosystems

A habitat
is the
place
where an
organism
lives out
its life.
Symbiosis
 Living
3
Together
Types
Mutualism

Both species Benefit
from the relationship.
Parasitism

One species benefits

the other is harmed
Commensalism

One species benefits

The other is not hurt or
helped
Organisms and Energy

All the energy on
Earth ultimately comes
from the sun!!
Autotroph

Organisms that use
the energy from the
sun to produce their
own food.

(producers)
Heterotroph


Consumes other organisms as food
source.
3-Types
1. Herbivores
2. Carnivores
3. Scavengers and decomposers
Herbivores

Heterotrophs that
consume plants only.

Ex: cows, deer,
rabbits…

(First order
consumers)
Carnivores



Heterotrophs that
consume other
animals.
Ex: Humans, cats…
(Second… order
consumers.)
Omnivore


Eats dead and
living organisms.
Example…us
Scavengers


Feed on ONLY dead
organisms.
Ex: vultures
Decomposers




Break down dead
plants and animals.
Ex: Bacteria and
fungus
In an aquatic system
these organisms are
called…
DETRITIVORES
How does energy flow through the
ecosystem???

In ONE direction only
Sun-Producers-Consumers-DecomposersReleased as heat
Autotrophs
Third-order
heterotrophs
First-order
heterotrophs
Second-order
heterotrophs
Decomposers
Food Chain

Simplest exchange of
energy.
Food Web: Interconnected, overlapping
food chains
Food Web
Ecological Pyramids

flows through the
Shows how energy
ecosystem
Energy Pyramid

Shows how energy
decreases by 90%
at each trophic level.

10%
Only
of the
energy is passed
onto the next
level.
Energy Pyramid

Organisms at the
bottom of the pyramid
are more numerous
than at the top.
Different Types of Pyramids
Nutrients

Nutrients cycle
continuously cycle
through the
ecosystem, never
disappearing.
PHOHOHOROUS
Nutrients
NITROGEN
Nutrients
CARBON
Nutrients
Water Cycle

Helps move nutrients and sustain all life in
an ecosystem.
Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation…moves water on surface
Ground water
Aquifers
Percolation…stores and purifies water
Water Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle

2 most important parts…takes nitrogen
from atmosphere and moves it into
ecosystem.
1.
2.
Nitrification
Denitrification
Carbon Cycle
Simply moves carbon from atmosphere into
ecosytem.
Supports most all living organisms…carbon is
produced by autotrophs by ENERGY from the SUN.
By far the most abundant nutrient.
Carbon Cycle