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The Organization of Life. Ecosystems and Diversity Chapter 4. Ecosystem. All of the organisms living in an area together with their physical environment 2 types of ecosystems Aquatic- water Terrestrial- land. Survival. In order to survive, an ecosystem needs 5 basic components
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The Organization of Life Ecosystems and Diversity Chapter 4
Ecosystem • All of the organisms living in an area together with their physical environment • 2 types of ecosystems • Aquatic- water • Terrestrial- land
Survival • In order to survive, an ecosystem needs 5 basic components • 1. Energy- usually from the sun • 2. Mineral nutrients • 3. Water • 4. Oxygen • 5. Living organisms
Factors • Biotic factors- the living and once living parts of an ecosystem • Abiotic factors- The nonliving parts of the ecosystem (air, water, rocks)
Components of an Ecosystem • Organism- a living thing (multi-celled or single celled); anything that can carry out life processes independently • All organisms live in a particular place called a habitat • For example: • Cactus live in the desert • Dolphins live in the ocean
Components • Species- organisms that are closely related and are capable of producing fertile offspring • Population- members of the same species living in the same area at the same time • Community- two or more populations living in the same area at the same time
Ecosystem- all the organisms living in an environment; includes abiotic and biotic factors • Biosphere- The Earth- All land, water and air where life exists
Diversity of Living Things • *Classify organisms by fossil records • *Evolutionary Characteristics • *Hierarchy of Matter: • atom, molecule, organelle, • cell, tissue, organ, organ system, and organism
6 Kingdoms • Archaebacteria • Eubacteria • Fungi • Protists • Plants • Animals
Biodiversity • The number and variety (sum) of all organisms in a given area • Approx 2 million known species (most insects) • Estimate more than 9 million not yet discovered
Benefits of Biodiversity • Stability of ecosystems and sustainability of populations • Balances energy and nutrients/food security • Increases genetic diversity and decreases chances of genetic disease
Biodiversity at Risk • Extinction - the last member of a species dies and the species ceases to exist (can be a natural event) • Extirpation – the extinction of a certain population from a given area, but not the entire species globally
Causes of Biological Loss • Invasive/Exotic Species (species not belong in area) • Pollution • Over-harvesting, Hunting, and Poaching • Climate change • **Habitat destruction, loss, and fragmentation = BIGGEST THREAT
Ways to Save Biodiversity • Captive Breeding Programs • Preserving Genetic Material (storing to be used in future) • Artificial Selection (done under human direction) • Zoos , Parks, Aquariums, and Gardens • Conservation
Areas of Critical Biodiversity • Hotspots – pinpoint areas of high diversity; support an especially great diversity of endemic (native) species • Examples: • Tropical Rain Forests • Coral Reefs and Coral Ecosystems • Islands