Science Man and His Environment/EcologyIntro

Review

 * Environment : Everything that affects a living organism


 * Ecology : The branch of biology studying the relationships between living organisms and their environment

Abiotic/Biotic
We can divide the components of the environment into abiotic and biotic


 * Abiotic : non-living components


 * Biotic : living components

Definitions

 * Organism : Any form of life




 * Species : Groups of organisms which can reproduce and produce fertile offspring


 * Population : group of organisms of the same species interacting within a geographical area


 * Community : All populations of different species within an area


 * Ecosystem : A community and their non-living environment


 * Biosphere : All of the Earth's ecosystems put together

Factors Sustaining Life
Three science principles affect ecosystems:
 * One-way flow of high-quality energy
 * Cycling of chemicals (nutrients)
 * Gravity

Outline of Ecology
Outline of Ecology
 * Energy flow
 * Abiotic factors
 * Population ecology (habitat, niche)
 * Community ecology (food chains/webs)
 * Cycling of matter