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Unit One
Ecology
Ecology

The study of the relationships that exist
between organisms and their
environments.
Ecological interactions are
influenced by two types of
factors

Abiotic Factors

Biotic Factors
Biotic Factors

These include all living organisms and
their effects both direct and indirect on
other living things

May include organisms that were
recently alive
Examples of Biotic Factors
Predator prey relationships
 disease causing bacteria
 poisonous plants
 a huge tree that has fallen across a path
 a dead moose that is found in a bog

Abiotic Factors

The nonliving factors in an environment
that effect ecological interactions

These factors define what type of
organisms can live in a particular area

There are several important abiotic
factors
Important Abiotic Factors
Light Availability
 Temperature
 Availability of Water
 Composition of soil and nutrient/mineral
availability

Light Availability

Light from the sun (solar energy) is the
ultimate energy source for all living
things

The availability of light energy differs
greatly on different parts of the earth
Temperature

As you change latitude or altitude on the
earth the temperature patterns change
greatly
Water availability

The amount of precipitaion differs
depending where on the earth you are
Soil composition and availability
of Minerals/Nutrients

The development of soil will determine
such factors as pH, amount of organic
nutrients, amount and type of minerals
present
Biosphere

The area of land air and water on or
around the earth in which all living
things can be found