What is ecology?

study of interactions between organisms and their environments

What is an organism?

A living thing that is composed of one or more cells and reproduces using DNA. It acquires energy from its environment to support metabolism

What is a community?

Multiple populations of different organisms that live together in an environment. A community lives in an ecosystem

What is included in an ecosystem?

Includes the living communities (biotic components) and physical environment (abiotic components)

What is a biosphere?

The part of Earths environment in which living organisms are found

What are some of the factors that influence the stability of an ecosystem?

1. Abiotic factors, such as temperature, humidity, geology also biogeochemical cycles. 2. biotic factors, A) intraspecific relations (individuals of the same species in a population). B) interspecific relations (between different species)

What can cause a crisis in an ecosystem?

Changes in abiotic or biotic factors. Such as climate change, eruptions, fires (abiotic factors). Or pressure from over-population, genetic mutations or increased predation (biotic factors).

What are some physiochecmical/environmental factors?

Topography, edaphic factors, temperature, light, precipitation.

What is an energy pyramid?

At the base the sun provides energy, so its 100% energy. Then primary consumers is at 10%. With each step to the next trophic level around 90% of energy is lost.

What are trophic levels?

They define the position of an organism within the foodweb. Primary producers are TL1, primary consumers TL2, and secondary consumers TL3. Organisms often feed at more than one trophic level.