What Is Ecology?

Learning Objectives Describe the study of ecology. Explain how biotic and abiotic factors influence an

ecosystem. Describe the methods used to study ecology.

Ecology

The scientific investigation and analysis of interactions among organisms and their responses to external factors in their environment

Species and Populations

Species Population

Community

Population Community

Ecosystem

Community Ecosystem

Biome

Ecosystem Biome

Biosphere

Biome Biosphere

Biotic and Abiotic

EnvironmentBiotic Abiotic

Ecological Methods

• Observation• Experimentation

• Modeling

Levels of Organization

Biosphere

Ecosystem

Population

Organism

Community

Biome