The ecological model of levels of organization being represented as circles within circles makes intuitive sense because each level contains and is contained by the next level. - Individuals make up populations - Populations make up communities - Communities make up ecosystems - Ecosystems make up the biosphere So each level exists within and is defined by the next broader level. The nested circle visualization depicts this nested relationship between the different ecological levels of organization from specific to general. The circles help illustrate how each level both depends on and influences the levels within and surrounding it.

1. Introduction to Ecology: ‘Decade of Discovery’Article from BBC.co.ukworld news website From: Oct. 4, 2010In Cambodia, a new species of rhacophorid frog, Chiromantissamkosensis, was identified in 2007. It is distinguished from other species of Asian Chiromantis by having green blood and turquoise bonesRead more: http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-500142_162-4668710-5.html?tag=page#ixzz11fxWUi2wA new plant species, AeschynanthusMendumiae, discovered on the southeastern slopes of Laos' Phuo Yang Mountain, is one of 1,068 new species identified in the Greater Mekong from 1997 to 2007 in the WWF report, "First Contact in the Greater Mekong."Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-500142_162-4668710.html#ixzz11fwtSLWhThe Dragon millipede Desmoxytespurpurosea, from Lansak district Uthaithani Province, Thailand. This formidable-looking creature sees off predators first with its spiny bright-pink skin and second with glands that produce cyanide.Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-500142_162-4668710-2.html?tag=page#ixzz11fxEQ8Cf

2. Ecology is the study of the relationships between the natural world and all the living and non-living things in that environment

3. Article InformationThis article tells us about a research study completed on the FIRST census of marine lifeInvolved almost 3000 researchers from 80 different countries, and over 9000 days at sea!Key questions:What LIVED in the oceans?What DOES live in the oceans?What WILL live in the oceans?

4. Discovered many species thought to be rareCollected many specimens and are identifying almost 6000 new species!Oceans are changing quickly, so it is important to know what lives thereQuestions to consider:Do you think this is an important study? Why/why not? Explain.Now that we have more knowledge about the oceans and the life found in oceans, what should we do with this information?This member of the new Kiwaidae family of crabs, discovered near Easter Island, was named Kiwahirsuta because of its furry appearance. From:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8523389.stmThis new sponge produces a chemical with anti-cancer propertiesFrom: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8523389.stm

5. Levels of organization in EcologyBiosphereEcosystemCommunityPopulationIndividual (species)

6. SPECIESExamples: Species of frog: water frog, red-eyed tree frogSpecies of horse: Clydesdale horses, Andalusian horsesSimilar organisms that can successfully reproduce among themselves in their natural environmentTHIS MEANS: they produce offspring that can reproduce as well

7. POPULATIONA population is made of many of the SAME KIND of species that live in the same areaCompete with each other for food, mates, water and spaceExamplesPopulation of trout in a riverPopulation of bats living in a cavePopulation of GI students in the classroom

8. COMMUNITYA community is made of many groups of populations that interact in an area Examples:A forest: populations of trees, populations of mushrooms, populations of birdsA lake: populations of insects, populations of fish, populations of algae

9. ECOSYSTEMAn ecosystem includes all the living organisms in an area and all the non- living things that affect it Examples:Forest ecosystem includes grass, soil, wind, sunlight, animalsOcean ecosystem includes fish, coral, rocks at the bottom, temperature of water

10. BIOSPHEREThe part of the Earth that supports all organisms, made up of all of the Earth’s ecosystemsExamples:Made up of the water, land, living things and air

11. Levels of Organization

12. Oct.20/21 Science JournalSJ: Why do you think the ecological model (in the note today) is a picture of circles within circles?