2.

1 Ecosystem Structure

Structure of the biosphere

Species

Individuals of one
type of organism
that can interbreed
and produce fertile
offspring.

Image from http://www.wonderquest.com/Offspring.htg/Offspring1.jpg

Population

A group of
organisms of the
same species
living the same
place at the same
time.
Image from http://www.duiops.net

Habitat

The part of the

environment
where a species
or population
typically lives.

Image from http://www.temeyerguideservice.com/images/pheasant2.jpg

Ecological niche
1. The species physical home.
2. The environmental factors necessary for
the species survival.
3. All the species interactions with other
organisms
How an organism makes a living.

Fundamental niche

The niche a
viable population
of a species
occupies in the
absence of
competition from
other species.
Image from http://io.uwinnipeg.ca/~simmons/ysesp/images/niche.jpg

Realized niche

The niche a viable

population of a
species occupies in
the presence of
competitor species.

Image from http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/images/niche.gif

Community

A group of
populations living
and interacting
with one another
in a common
habitat (the same
place).
Image from http://www.wildflower.org/clearinghouse/slide_shows/Rocky_Mountains/images/02.jpg

Ecosystem

A community of
organisms and
their interactions
(biotic factors) and
the physical
environment
(abiotic factors)
they inhabit.
Image from http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/data/media/1/river-ecosystem_1752.jpg

Structure of an ecosystem

Which parts of
the pictured
ecosystem are
biotic?

Image from http://www.rowesanctuary.org/Family_Hike.jpg

Biotic

The living
parts of the
environment,
Organisms or
their products,
interactions or
wastes
Image from http://plantphys.info/plant_biology/images/dionaeatrap.jpg

Characteristics of living things

Are made of cells;

Obtain and use energy;
Grow and develop;
Reproduce;
Respond to their environment; and
Adapt to their environment.
Image from http://media.photobucket.com/image/made%20of%20cells/sterlingsroll/Helianthus_whorl.jpg

Interactions

Competition is a relationship in which

different individuals or populations
attempt to use the
same limited
resource.

Image from http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1647/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1647R-26804.jpg

Interactions

Indirect competition occurs when

species that dont come in direct
contact with one another compete for
the same limited resource.

Images from http://www.njwildlifetrails.org/Portals/9/SiteImages/SKYLANDS/Photos/Short-earedOwl.jpg and

http://www.digital-images.net/Images/Flight/Harrier_Hunting_5117.jpg

Interactions

symbiosis
predation
parasitism
mutualism
commensualism

Image from http://z.about.com/d/gocentralamerica/1/0/y/3/-/-/AmbushBug.jpg

Symbiosis

A relationship in
which two
organisms live in
close
association.

Image from http://qarrtsiluni.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/asmyth4_dsc_9821-symbiosis.jpg

Predation

One organism the

predator feeding
on another organism
the prey.
In some food chains a predator may
become the prey of another species.

Parasitism

An organism lives in or on another

organism and feeds.
The parasite benefits,
the host is harmed,
but not necessarily
killed.
Image from http://www.purplemartin.org/update/92nestrep1.jpg

Mutualism

A close relationship
between two
species in which
each species
provides a benefit
to the other.
Image from http://schaechter.asmblog.org/.a/6a00d8341c5e1453ef0111685d9c11970c-800wi

Commensualism

A relationship in
which one
species benefits
and the other is
neither helped
nor harmed.
Image from http://animalpicturesarchive.com/Arch02/1106045088.jpg

Structure of an ecosystem

Which parts of
the pictured
ecosystem are
abiotic?

Abiotic
The non-living or formerly living
chemical and physical parts of
the environment.

Images from http://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/information/PublishingImages/GoldNug01.jpg and

http://www.otherpower.co.uk/Energytypes/conventionalsources/Coal.jpg

Limiting factors

Factors biotic or
abiotic that prevent a
community, population
or organism growing
larger.

http://www.spsbiology.info/Learning%20exercises/Photosynthesis%20mulitchoice/CO2%20limiting.gif

Biome

A collection of ecosystems sharing similar

climactic conditions similar average
temperatures
ranges and
precipitation.

Image from http://www.hickerphoto.com/data/media/172/desert_biomes_t2291.jpg

Biosphere

The thin layer on Earths

surface inhabited by
organisms; extending
from the deepest part of
the ocean to the lower
layers of the atmosphere.
Image from http://www.core.org.cn/sofia/gallery/geography/images/alh-biosphere.gif

Big idea

Ecosystems have biotic and abiotic

components.

Big idea

Populations of organisms interact in

different ways.

Big idea

Different biotic and abiotic factors

influence population size.