This document discusses the levels of organization in ecology from smallest to largest: organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes, and the biosphere. It defines each level and provides examples. Ecologists study interactions between organisms and their environments at each level of organization. Both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors influence where and how organisms live within their particular niches in a community or habitat.

1. Ecology Module 2

2. Ecology The study of interactions between organisms and their environment Those that study ecology are ecologists

3. Organization of Life

4. Organization of Life All living matter can be organized SMALLEST--> LARGEST. Ecology deals with the levels Organisms Populations Communities Ecosystems Biomes Biosphere

5. Organisms Ecologists may study the behavior on an individual organism . They may study its daily movements, feeding, or breeding behaviors. Ex A deer A Shark

6. Populations A group of organisms of one species that interbreed and live in the same place at the same time. Compete for food, water, mates, and other resources Resources determine how big/small a population is They may also study growth rates of populations and predict future populations Ex Many deer Endangered species

7. Communities A collection of interacting populations All organisms in a community depend in someway on the other organisms living there. Ecologists are concerned with studying the effects on the community when a new species is added or removed. Ex Hawks go up then mice go down

8. Ecosystem All the biotic and abiotic factors in an area from an ecosystem . Ecologists are concerned with ecosystem stability and knowing what keeps ecosystems stable. Ex Rain forest

9. Biome A group of ecosystems that together make up a specific region for species to live Similar climate Temperature Elevation Rainfall

10. Biosphere The biosphere is the highest level of organization. It is made up of the entire planet and all its living and nonliving parts Ecologists are concerned with all interactions within the biosphere.

11. Living environment= Biotic factors Living things are found in air, on land, in both fresh and salt water The Biosphere is the portion of the Earth that supports life Biotic factors= all living organisms

13. Nonliving factors= Abiotic Factors Environment Air currents Temperature Moisture Light Soil

15. Where and how organisms live Every species has a particular function in its community A Niche is the role a species plays in a community The space, food, and other conditions an organism needs to survive and reproduce are part of it’s niche Ex Fungi= break down of organic matter Coyotes= keep rodents down

17. Habitat A place where organism lives out its life Ex bird in trees Prairie dog in grassland burrows Several species share habitats , the food, shelter and other resources of that habitat are divided into separate niches