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The Structure of Ecosystems

The Structure of Ecosystems. Biotic and Abiotic Factors. Ecology. Ecology: the study of ecosystems Ecosystem: the interaction between organisms AND their surroundings (living and nonliving). Levels of Organization in Nature. The entire Earth where life is found.

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The Structure of Ecosystems

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  1. The Structure of Ecosystems Biotic and Abiotic Factors

  2. Ecology • Ecology: the study of ecosystems • Ecosystem: the interaction between organisms AND their surroundings (living and nonliving)

  3. Levels of Organization in Nature The entire Earth where life is found • BIOSPHERE: all the places on the Earth that organisms can be found - land, water, and air. • BIOME: group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar species The midwest united states( all once covered by trees that lose their leaves

  4. Levels of Organization in Nature • ECOSYSTEM:all the living and non living things in an area • COMMUNITY:all the different populations of species in an area • POPULATION:A group of individuals of the same kind (species) occupying a given area at the same time. All the living things and the non living things in Highbanks park all the types of plants, animals, fungi, bacteria in Highbanks park Oak trees in Highbanks park

  5. Biosphere biome Ecosystem Community Population

  6. Biotic and Abiotic Factors • Biotic Factors: relating to a living component of an ecosystem • Abiotic Factors: relating to physical or non-living components of an ecosystem Examine the picture below, which are biotic factors and which are abiotic?

  7. Abiotic Factor Examples • Examples: Temperature range, climate, water, sunlight, pH, soils composition, wind, humidity, fires, floods, avalanches, etc. • Abiotic factors limit the geographic range of many species

  8. Abiotic Factors Example 1 • Example 1- Temperature • Some bacteria have evolved to best survive in hot environments, such as hot spring • Fish of the arctic have “antifreeze” molecules in their blood allowing them to withstand their cold environment

  9. Abiotic Factors Example 2 • Example 2- Water • Ocean fish resist becoming dehydrated by removing salts from their bodies • Freshwater fish resist becoming over-hydrated excreting excess water from their body tissues

  10. Biotic and Abiotic Factors • Organisms (biotic factors) and abiotic factors affect an environment in many ways • Ex 1: plant roots, lichens, and microorganisms help break down rocks into soil • Ex 2: roots and organic matter hold soil particles together, thus, reducing erosion

  11. Biotic and Abiotic Factors • Adaptation to one environment usually means exclusion from others • Diversity of abiotic factors contributes to the great variety of species within an ecosystem Add this to the bottom of you notes =) • Adaptation: inherited characteristics that usually increase an organisms chance of survival

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