Download Ecosystem illustrated study guide File

Ecology
Earth
Biome
(several ecosystems in the same climate)
Ecosystem
(all abiotic and biotic in an area)
Community
(many populations)
Population
(several organisms of same species)
Organism
(individual; one)
Organ System
Organs
Tissue
Cell
Atoms
Subatomic Particles
(proton, neutron, electron)
Limiting Factors and Carrying Capacity
Competition
Migrate
Die
Adapt
Thrive
Biosphere (Life)
Atmosphere
& Gas
Geosphere
Land
Hydrosphere
Water
Purple Coach Book Notes (p. 163-175)
*Ecology – the study of the interactions among living things and
their environment.
*Stabilize – make stable, some species die and some are born.
*Food Web – an interconnected network of food chains.
*Food Chain – the flow of energy from one organism to the next in
an ecosystem.
*Energy Pyramid – a graphical model of energy flow in a
community.
*Producers – organisms that use sunlight to make food (i.e. plants).
*Consumers – organisms that eat other things.
*Decomposers – obtain energy by breaking down the remains of
dead organisms (i.e. fungi and heterotrophic bacteria).
*Nonindigenous or Exotic Species – a species introduced into an
ecosystem in which it does not naturally appear
You must be new
to Florida. Where
are you from?
I am. I’m
from Cuba!
*Indigenous or Native Species – an organism found naturally in
an ecosystem
Orange Coach Book Notes (p. 124-142)
*Photosynthesis – process by which green plants and certain other
organisms transform light into chemical energy.
*Predators are at the top of the food chain and are not often eaten
by others, but die of other causes…….Decomposers!
*Decomposers are always the LAST organisms on a food chain.
*Energy Pyramid compares energy levels in an ecosystem
~Every level of the pyramid is called a trophic level
*Biotic Factors – the living components of an ecosystem
*Abiotic Factors – the non-living components of an ecosystem (i.e.
soil, rocks)
~Some factors are recycled and reused (i.e. water between the
sky, land and living organisms. Also, Oxygen, Carbon and
Nitrogen are cycled through the land, sky and biotic factors.)
Examples of Abiotic and Biotic Factors that Limit
Population Density
Abiotic Factors
Sunlight
Soil
Water
Earthquakes
Tidal Waves
Biotic Factors
Disease
Predators
Prey
Competition
Symbiosis
*Carrying Capacity – the maximum number of individuals the
ecosystem can support over time.
*Limiting Factors – factors that limit the number of individuals in
an ecosystem.
~These can include food, water, climate, disease, predators,
shelter, and available space (determines the carrying capacity).
~Members compete for resources; some may get them and
others won’t. Those who do not get resources will either move
or die.
*Population Density – the numbers of individuals within a given
space.
~Disturbances like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or fire cause
population sizes and density to change
*This can be immediate or happen slowly after a
disturbance
*Members move away and/or die
There are so many connections between biotic and abiotic factors
that even little changes in ONE of these factors can often cause
many little or big changes throughout the ecosystem.
*Primary Succession – takes place after an ecosystem is completely
destroyed and existing soil is removed
~Lichen is the first organism to appear.
*Secondary Succession – occurs after an ecosystem is disturbed.
~Existing soil is NOT removed.
Both Successions end with a climax community although the
climax communities vary depending on the biome.