Everything is Connected Ch 18.1 7th

Chapter 18 Section 1

Objectives:

Distinguish between biotic and abiotic parts of the environment

Explain how populations and communities are related

Describe how the abiotic parts of the environment affect ecosystems

Studying the Web of Life: The Science of Ecology –

The study of the interactions of organisms with one another and their environment

The Two Parts of an Environment: Biotic: living factors; all the organisms

that live together and interact with one another

Abiotic: non-living factors such as water, soil, light, and temperature

Organization in the Environment: Levels:

Organism

Population

Community

Ecosystem

Biosphere

Populations:

Definition: a group of individuals of the same species that live together in a specific geographical area

Often compete with one another for food, nesting space, and mates

Examples?

Communities:

Definition: all of the populations of species that live and interact in an area

The populations in a community depend on each other for food, shelter, and many other things

Examples ?

http://www.wcskids.net/shhs/clubsorgs/ecology1.gif

Ecosystems:

Definition: made up of a community of organisms and the abiotic environment of the community

How organisms interact as well as how temperature , precipitation, and soil characteristics affect organisms

Ecosystem:

http://www.nrri.umn.edu/worms/forest/images/ecosystem_fig3.gif

The Biosphere:

Definition: the part of the Earth where life exists

From the deepest part of the ocean to high in the air

Apply:

Part 1: List all of the biotic and abiotic factors in

your neighborhood

Part 2: Describe how biotic factors change when

abiotic factors change

Quick Quiz:

A caterpillar, a deer, and a rabbit all want to drink from the same puddle, eat the same plant, and bask in the same spot of sunshine. Are they competing members of a population? Why or why not?

Using a salt marsh example, explain why ecologists state that saving a large animal such as the heron or egret can also save an ecosystem.