240 likes | 381 Views
Intro to Biology. Biomes and Ecosystems. Ecology. The scientific study of the relationships of living organisms and their natural environment. Abiotic. Non-living components (the non-living parts of an environment Examples: sunlight, soil, moisture and temperature. Abiotic Components.
E N D
Intro to Biology Biomes and Ecosystems
Ecology • The scientific study of the relationships of living organisms and their natural environment
Abiotic • Non-living components (the non-living parts of an environment • Examples: sunlight, soil, moisture and temperature
Biotic • Living components (living organisms in an environment) • Examples: plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria
Biosphere • The biosphere is the thin layer of air, land and water on or near Earth’s surface in which all living things on Earth exist
Biome • Large regions that have similar biotic components (such as similar plants and animals) and similar abiotic components (such as similar temperature and amount of rainfall)
Ecosystems • Part of a biome whose biotic components (such as similar plants and animals) and abiotic components are similar
What’s the difference between a Biome and an Ecosystem? • A biome is made up of many similar ecosystems • An ecosystem is often much smaller than a biome • Ecosystems refer to the interactions between living things and the nonliving things in a place • Biomes refer to the areas with similar features
Habitat • The place where an organism lives
What is the difference between an Ecosystem and a Habitat? • An ecosystem refers to the living and nonliving factors that characterize an area • A habitat refers to where an organism lives • Habitats are communities within an ecosystem
Species vs. Populations vs. Community • Species = a group of closely related organisms that can reproduce with one another • Population= all the members of a particular species within an ecosystem • Community= all the populations of the different species that interact in a specific area or ecosystem
Ecological Hierarchy • Ecological hierarchy is the order of biotic interactions and relationships in an ecosystem: • Organ system • Organisms (species) • Population • Community • Ecosystem (along with the nonliving organisms) • Biome • Biosphere Organisms Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere
Bringing it all together • 3 biotic factors • 3 abiotic factors
Bringing it all together • 3 biotic factors • 3 abiotic factors
What are Niches? • Organisms have special roles in the ecosystems in which they live. The term niche is used to describe these roles. • An organism’s niche includes the way in which the organism contributes to and fits into its environment. • All the physical, chemical, and biological interactions required for a species to survive, grow, and reproduce are part of the organism’s niche
Example of a Niche • Example: Great Blue Heron’s live near water where they can fish and nest in nearby trees and bushes. Because of their long legs, they can find food in deeper water, which allows them to occupy a niche that other herons with shorter legs cannot