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Chapter 2: Ecology The Study of Organisms and their interactions with their environment Biosphere On Earth, living things are found here. The Biosphere includes the high parts of the atmosphere and the bottoms of the oceans where living things are found. Biotic factors (living) Biotic factors are living things that share a habitat with an organism. In a single pond, a duck might share his environment with fish, insects, lily pads, and other plants and animals. Abiotic factors (not living) Abiotic means “nonliving” (a=not; bio=living) Anything that is part of an organisms habitat that is non-living is an abiotic factor. Dirt, rocks, clouds, and rain are examples. Temperature is an abiotic factor The Levels of Organization There is an order that we group organisms into when we study ecosystems, and we start with the individual organism being studied. Organism < Population < Biological community < Ecosystem < Biosphere Student < Softball team < Athletic program < High school < BISD! Organism Any living thing Could be an animal, plant, fungus, or a micro organism such as a protist or bacteria! Population A group of several organisms of the SAME SPECIES! Interbreed and live in the same area. Biological Community Group of different populations, so they won’t all be the same species. All live and interact in a certain area. Ecosystem MANY populations like in a biological community PLUS… ABIOTIC factors in that community area 2 Major Ecosystems Aquatic (organisms live underwater) Terrestrial (live on land) Habitat Any place that an organism lives out it’s life Some species can inhabit (live in) more than one place! Niche ALL the specific interactions an organism has with biotic and abiotic factors in a habitat. Location, plus details about its way of life (what it eats, where it sleeps, where it nests, how it reproduces, when it’s awake) Niches are SPECIFIC! No two organisms can occupy the same niche at once! Competition is a result having of similar niches For example, lots of organisms will compete for the same food source. Survival Relationships Producers make food for themselves (think of the produce section at the grocery store!) Consumers go out and get food (either from producers or other organisms) Symbiosis Organisms live in close quarters with one another and have relationships These organisms are dependent on these relationships Sym = same ; bio = life 3 Types: mutualistic, commensalistic, parasitic Mutualism Both animals benefit (both gain something!) “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours!” Win-Win situation! Commensalism One animal benefits while the other one stays the same (neither harmed or helped) “No pain, but also no gain!” One mooches off the other Parasitism One organism benefits, but the other is hurt in the process Look like an everyday parasite to you? Brown -Headed Cow Bird!!! Lay eggs in other birds nests!!! Sometimes knock out other eggs to make room for their own!! Other bird must expend time and energy raising chicks that are not their species (hurtful!!!)