Ecology The study of ecosystems Levels of organization

Ecology The study of ecosystems

Levels of organization Ø Small to big

Atoms

Molecules

Macromolecules

Organelles

Cell

Tissue

Organ

System

Organism Ø One individual

Organization in ecosystem Ø Organism – one individual Ø Population – same species in one area

Levels of organization Ø Population – All the same species in one area Ø Community – All the populations in an area

Levels of organization Ø Community – All the species in an area Ø Ecosystem – All the communities and abiotic factors in an area

Levels of organization Ø Ecosystem – All the communities and abiotic factors in an area Ø Biome – A region of earth with similar ecosystems

Levels of organization Biome – A region of Ø Biosphere – Thin layer earth with similar surrounding earth that ecosystems contains ALL Biomes and ecosystems Ø Ø

Biotic factors Ø ALL plants, animals and other microscopic) in an area life (Even

Abiotic factors Non-living environmental factors Ø Temperature Ø Wind Ø Water Ø Sunlight Ø Rocks Ø Soil

Autotrophs – producers Ø Transform inorganic energy (light) into chemical energy

Heterotrophs - consumers Ø Organisms that must obtain their energy by eating other organisms

Niche Ø The role an organism fills in its community Ø Its “job”

Niche determined by Ø Habitat Ø Place in food chain Ø Specific food types Ø When they eat or hunt

Great horned owl and red tailed hawk have different niches Both eat small rodents Ø Both live in same area Ø BUT owls hunt at night, hawks hunt during day Ø