ecology: the interaction of organisms with the environment
Post on 25-Dec-2015
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Community:
-only living organisms – all populations together
- all living things
Ecosystem:
- living (organisms) with the non-living (water, soil oxygen, carbon dioxide, sunlight)
Abiotic Factor – Not living
Biotic Factor - Living
Habitat:
- organisms home – where an organism lives
Niche:
- an organisms role in the environment
****organisms can occupy the same habitat , but not the same niche
Competition:
- two different organisms living in the same environment utilizing the same limited resources will compete (fight)
An ecosystem is made up of abiotic and biotic factors.
An ecosystem is self-sustaining if:
- constant source of energy
- cycling of materials
Abiotic Factors (NON_LIVING):
- physical and chemical factors which affect an organisms ability to survive
- the non-living factors
- ex. Intensity of light - pH levels
- range of temperatures - supply of gases
- amount of moisture
Limiting Factors (Abiotic or Biotic):
- determine the types of organisms which may exist in an environment
- ex: abiotic factors are limiting factors
ex. If a body of water’s dissolved oxygen level is low, fish that need higher oxygen levels could suffocate and die.
Carrying Capacity:
- maximum size of a population that can be sustained in a given area.
- limited resources affect populations: food, water, shelter, etc.
- members of a species compete for these things.
Autotrophs or Producers:
- synthesize their own food (inorganic to organic)
- ex. Photosynthesis and chemosynthesis
Decomposers:
-break down organic wastes and dead organisms to simpler ones. (Recycle nutrients in an ecosystem)
Types of Heterotrophs:
1- Saprophytes: heterotrophic plants, fungi and bacteria which live on dead matter.(Decomposers)
Food Chains and Food Webs
-Show the pathway of energy through living components
Food Chain:
- Transfer of energy from green plants through a series of organisms. Shows predator – prey relationships
Food (Energy) Pyramid:
Producers: (plants) autotrophs – photosynthesis
Primary consumers: herbivores
Secondary consumers: carnivores
**omnivores can be primary or secondary
Decomposers: Recycle nutrients in ecosystem (Bacteria & Fungi)
**There is a decrease in the overall energy in each level as you move up the food chain, web or pyramid.
**There is more energy in the producer level than at the consumer level
Biomass:
- amount of organic matter
**Total mass of carnivores in a particular ecosystem is less than the total mass of the producers**
Symbiotic Relationships:
Symbiosis: Living together
1. Commensalism: (+,0) one organism is benefited and the other is unaffected. Ex. Barnacles on a whale
Succession:
- Replacement of populations/communities until a stable community is reached – takes a very long time
Pioneer Organisms:
- First organisms to inhabit a location (lichens & mosses)
Climax Community:
- Community in which populations remain stable
Biodiversity-
- wide variety of species
- a climax community contains a great deal of biodiversity
• Succession of a climax forest
• Living things modify the environment one community makes it more suitable for the next
• Pioneer organisms Climax Forest
• Climate changes, natural disasters, and human activity can alter this process, but succession will continue and restore the climax community
In a self-sustaining ecosystem, materials must be cycled among the organisms and the abiotic environment
**Materials are reused**
1. Carbon-Hydrogen-Oxygen Cycle:
- Involves the process of respiration and photosynthesis
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