Unit 3.2: Ecology Intro & Biomes

Chapters 3 & 4

Ecology: study of interactions between organisms & their environment◦ In the broadest sense, Ecology focuses on the

Biosphere

Ecology

Everything is connectedto everything else

Biosphere: all the portions of the Earth where life exists (including land, water, and air/atmosphere)

Ecology

We learned this already… Atoms are bonded together to form: Molecules form: Organelles work together in a: Cells of the same type form a: Tissues work together to form: Organs are arranged in: Organ systems make up a:

Levels of organization in an Biosphere:

Cell

MoleculeOrganell

eTissueOrga

nOrgan systemOrganism

But there’s more… Groups of organisms of the same species

that live together: Populations of different species living in the

same place: All biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living)

factors in particular area:◦ Abiotic ex: weather, rocks, soil, etc.

Levels of organization in an Biosphere:

Population

Community

Ecosystem

Breaking it down…◦ Organism: an individual living thing

Species: organisms that breed and produce fertile offspring

ECOLOGY

Breaking it down… Habitat: where an organism lives

Ex: Zebra lives in the African Savanna Niche: an organism’s role in the environment

Ex: Zebras eat grass.

Ecology

◦Population: group of the same species living in the same area Ex: elephants in the Savanna

Ecology

Populations

Community: populations of different species living in the same area (all living – biotic factors)◦ Ex: elephants, lions, zebras in the savanna

Feeding relationships

Community

ECOLOGY

Ecosystem: All the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) parts of an environment◦ Ex: soil, water, temp, lions, zebras in the Savanna

Ecology

Feeding relationships

Ecosystem

◦Biome: group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant vegetation

Ecology

Rainforest

lots of rain, lots of sunlight, always warm

many plants & animals

high biodiversity

Savannadry season/wet season, always warm

frequent fires in dry season

many herbivores

mid biodiversity

Desert

very dry, hot in day & cold at night

very few plants & only small animals:reptiles, insects, rodents, birds

low biodiversity

Temperate Grassland (Midwest U.S.)

dry season/wet season, cold winters/hot summers

frequent fires in dry season

many herbivores

mid biodiversity

Temperate Deciduous Forest

4 seasons: warm summer with rains, cold winter with snow

deciduous trees, many mammals, insects, birds, etc.

high biodiversity

Coniferous Forest (Taiga)

northern forest, drier, cooler

evergreens, mammals, birds, insects, etc.

mid biodiversity

Tundra

cold year round, dry, permafrost

only lichens & mosses & mostly migrating animals

low biodiversity