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1.2 Ecosystems • Ecosystem – a part of a biome in which abiotic (non-living) factors interact with biotic (living) components – Can be many hectares of land, or the size of an old log. • Within an ecosystem, there are many habitats. The habitat of the red fox often includes the edges of forests or marshlands Abiotic Interactions in Ecosystems • It is the abiotic components that allow the biotic components to survive in an ecosystem. – Abiotic factors include : • Oxygen - produced by green plants & microorganisms. • Water - necessary for all life. • Nutrients - for growth. • Light - required for photosynthesis. • Soil - contains water & nutrients. Biotic Interactions in Ecosystems • Community: all organisms that interact within an ecosystem. • Population: all members of a certain species within an ecosystem. • Species: all organisms within an ecosystem that have the same structure & who can reproduce with each other (and produce fertile offspring). • Species can have many types of relationships in a population. – Symbiosis refers to the interaction between the members of two different species. • Commensalism - one species benefits, one is not affected For example, the barnacles on a whale • Mutualism - both species benefit For example, a bee gathering nectar from a flower • Parasitism - one species benefits, the other is harmed For example, hookworm living in dogs Niches, Competition and Predation • Niche: the role an organism has within an ecosystem. – also refers to the environment in which a species prospers • Competition: occurs when a limited resource is desired by 2 or more individuals in a niche. – this limits the size & health of individual organisms, & perhaps the population . • Predation: the relationship between the “eaters” & the “eaten”. – Predators have adaptations to help them catch prey. – Prey have adaptations to help avoid predators. • Eg. spines & shells, camouflage and mimicry. Biodiversity in Ecosystems • Biodiversity: the variety & number of different individuals & species in an ecosystem. – Healthy ecosystems generally have high biodiversity. – Most biodiversity losses occur from the loss of habitat. – Humans often have a negative impact on biodiversity. – Ecological management programs try to balance human progress with maintaining biodiversity. Take the Section 1.2 Quiz