Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. It examines these relationships at different levels - how individual organisms adapt to their environment, how populations of the same species interact, the groups of populations that make up communities in an area, and full ecosystems which include both living and non-living factors. Understanding ecology allows us to see how organisms are shaped by and shape their surrounding environment.

1. If biology is the study of living organisms, what is ecology?

2. Ecology Scientific study of the interactions of organisms, or groups of organisms, with their environment

3. Organism level – adaptations of one kind of organism to theirenvironment

4. What kinds of adaptations does a white-tailed deer need to be successful in the Okanagan Highlands?Are these the same sorts of adaptations the deer needs to be successful in the valley bottom?

5. Population level – interbreeding group of organisms of one species

6. Please name the populations you see in the last photograph.

7. Community – groups of populations in a particular area

8. Rosario Beach intertidal zonewhat populations would you expect to find?

9. Ecosystem – community plus non-living factors

10. Ecosystem Biotic factors Abiotic factors

11. Students add factors Biotic Abiotic