Download ecology - School District of La Crosse

ECOLOGY
Ecology is:
The study of the
relationship between
living organisms and
their environment.
In other words—Ecology is the
study of Ecosystems.
• An ecosystem is an interacting system of
Living (biotic) organisms and their non-living
(abiotic)
environment.
An ecosystem is made up of two
sets of factors:
• A) biotic factors—the living portion of the
ecosystem. Living organisms such as
plants, animals, fungi, and the list goes
on.
Ecological Organization
The organization of ecological factors is as
follows:
1. Individual
2. Population
3. Community
4. Ecosystem
• Individual- one organism
• Populations: Group of organisms of the
same species living in an area.
• Communities—all of the living organisms
in an ecosystem.
B) Abiotic factors—the non-living portion of
the ecosystem. This includes the
following:
• Water
• Soil
• Temperature
• Sunlight
In order for an ecosystem to exist
it must meet 3 criteria to be
SELF-SUSTAINING:
• HAVE AN ENERGY SOURCE (SUN)
• ENERGY MUST BE CONVERTED OR
STORED FOR USE BY ORGANISMS
• NUTRIENTS MUST BE RECYCLED
YOU DECIDE—
ENVIRONMENT OR
ECOSYSTEM?
ENVIRONMENT OR
ECOSYSTEM?
Ecosystems and Energy Flow
Relationships
Food Chains, Food Webs,
And Energy Pyramids!!!!
Food Chain
Food Web
Energy Pyramid