WHAT IS ECOLOGY?
All organisms require food, water, and shelter to survive. Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment in order to survive. All the living organisms of the Earth, including all plants, animals, and people make up the biosphere.
WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENT/ECOSYSTEM COMPOSED OF?
One of the main components of ecology is the study of different environments of organisms. The way that animals and plants are able to survive in their environment is through what is called biotic and abiotic factors. Biotic factors are any living things that are part of an organism's environment that can affect it. Abiotic factors are any non-living thing that is part of an organism's environment that can affect it. If you look over at the picture on the left, some biotic factors in that environment are the deer, fish, grass and plants. Some abiotic factors are the sunlight, the water, the temperature, and the soil.
WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENT/ECOSYSTEM COMPOSED OF?
One of the main components of ecology is the study of different environments of organisms. The way that animals and plants are able to survive in their environment is through what is called biotic and abiotic factors. Biotic factors are any living things that are part of an organism's environment that can affect it. Abiotic factors are any non-living thing that is part of an organism's environment that can affect it. If you look over at the picture on the left, some biotic factors in that environment are the deer, fish, grass and plants. Some abiotic factors are the sunlight, the water, the temperature, and the soil.
All ecosystems and environments have organisms that interact with both the biotic and abiotic factors within them. For example, frogs in a pond ecosystem may interact with insects, fish, hawks, and children chasing them with nets. They are also affected by abiotic factors, such as rainfall, the acidity of their pond, temperature, and the amount of light.
There is a wide variety of physical conditions present throughout the world, therefore, there are many different kinds of environments available to organisms. Many species, however, have a specific environment that is their "home." That specific environment is know as the species' habitat.
All the organisms of a species that live in the same area make up a population. For example, a human population, or an ant population.
There is a wide variety of physical conditions present throughout the world, therefore, there are many different kinds of environments available to organisms. Many species, however, have a specific environment that is their "home." That specific environment is know as the species' habitat.
All the organisms of a species that live in the same area make up a population. For example, a human population, or an ant population.
All the different populations are combined to form a community.
All of Earth's ecosystems make up the biosphere.
*The fundamental concept of ecology is that all organisms are interdependent, and they interact with one another and with the physical environment.These interactions result in a flow of energy and a cycling of materials essential for life.
All of Earth's ecosystems make up the biosphere.
*The fundamental concept of ecology is that all organisms are interdependent, and they interact with one another and with the physical environment.These interactions result in a flow of energy and a cycling of materials essential for life.
