Ecology: Study of Interactions Among Organisms and Between Organisms and the Environment
Ecology: study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and the environmentBiotic factor – living factorAbiotic factor – nonliving factorHabitat: where an organism lives (Biotic + Abiotic)Levels of ecology OrganismPopulation: all organisms of the same species in a given areaCommunity: all the population in a given areaEcosystem: all the biotic and abiotic factors in a given areaBiomes: ecosystems with similar organisms and climateBiosphere: anywhere that life existsPhysical and Chemical Factors1. Energy: all food chains start with Autotrophs-Sun = photosynthesis -Inorganic compounds = chemosynthesis2. Temperature: affects an organism’s metabolism- Enzymes control reactions3. Water4. Nutrients: cycle throughout ecosystem5. Aquatic factors: current salinity, temperature, pollution, tide, and depth6. Terrestrial factors: soil quality (pH), land formations, natural disastersWater Cycle[pic 1]Aquatic Biomes Pelagic Realm- includes all open water of the ocean. Benthic Realm- a seafloor or bottom of a freshwater lake, pond, river, stream.
Photic zone- The region of an aquatic ecosystem into which light penetrates and where photosynthesis occurs (0-200m) Continental Shelf- the part of a continent submerged by water, or the area surrounding the edges of continents. Phytoplankton- Algae and photosynthetic bacteria that float around in aquatic environments. It is a producer. Zooplankton- small drifting animals. It is a consumer. Aphotic Zone- The region of an aquatic ecosystem beneath the photic zone, where light does not penetrate enough for photosynthesis to take place (200m and below). Intertidal Zone- A shallow zone where waters of an estuary or ocean meet land. Estuary- The area where a freshwater stream or water. Wetland-. It is an area where water covers the land permanently or part of the year. An ecosystem intermediate between an aquatic ecosystem and a terrestrial ecosystem.Freshwater biomes include: 1. Lakes and Ponds- standing water 2. Rivers and Streams- water currents 3. Freshwater Wetlands