EcologyEcological Organization

ObjectivesDefine ecology Identify the different organizational levels

within ecologyAnalyze the differences between the

organization levels.  Illustrate the different ecological levels of

organization

What is EcologyThe study of the interactions among

organisms and their interrelationships with the physical environment.

The living things on earth may be organized into different levels of ecological organization.

What are the different levels of ecological organization1. Individual/organism2. Population3. Community4. Ecosystem5. Biosphere

What is an individual/organism in terms of ecological organizationAnything that can independently carry out

life processes

Examples: a flower, a person, a dog, etc

What is a population in terms of ecological organization?A group of individuals of the same species

that live together in the same area at the same time

Examples: all the individuals in this class, a school of minnows, a herd of sheep.

What is a community in terms of ecological organizationAll the populations of different species that

live and interact in an area

Example: all the different species of insect living on a rose bush, all the different species of fish living on a coral reef

What is an ecosystem?• A community of organism and their non-living

environment functioning together as an interdependent, and relatively stable system

• No size requirements or set boundaries• Examples : a pond, a forest, a desert, a field, an

aquarium, the school yard, a crack in the sidewalk (areas where interaction is taking place between living organisms and the non-living environment)

What is the Biosphere?• The part of the Earth where life exists.

• Composed of numerous and varied complex ecosystems

• Example: All the ecosystems of the world make up the Biosphere

Think, Pair, ShareIndividual, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere?A gaggle of geese

An oak tree

All the spruce, maples, squirrels in a forest

A forest

All the complex ecosystems on Earth