Levels of Ecosystems
An individual form of life
Organism
Prefix meaning life
Bio-
When resources are scarce, fewer organisms can survive. When resources are plentiful, greater numbers can survive.
Competition for food
Availability increases photosynthesis; plants compete for this by growing taller than those around them.
Sun
Name one way organisms compete for abiotic factors in an ecosystem.
1. Growing taller to get more sunlight
2. Adapt to living with less water
3. Adapt to living in nutrient poor soil
4. Temperature - organisms either migrate away from or to different climates
All the individuals of given species in an area at a given time
Population
Prefix meaning not or without
A-
Development, damming rivers, and clear cutting forest destroy animal habitats.
Human activities
Warm lush areas support greater numbers of populations with less competition occurring. Cold harsh areas support limited numbers with greater competition.
Temperature
Name one way organisms compete for biotic factors in a forest ecosystem.
1. Wolf and bear (or two carnivores) hunt for the same prey
2. Sunflower and rose bush face disease and one lives while the other dies off
the populations of organisms of different species in a given area and time
Community
Living or once living organisms in an ecosystem
Biotic Factors
When an organism lives off a host organism sometimes killing the host.
Parasitism
Produces carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus and supports larger populations with less competition and smaller populations with more competition.
Nutrient rich soil
Name one way organisms compete for biotic factors in the ocean.
Answers will vary
The levels of organization in ecosystems in order from largest to smallest
1. Community
2. Population
3. Organism
Limits the number of individuals that can live in an ecosystem
Greater the number of prey the greater the number of predators. Fewer prey, the fewer predators.
Predator-prey relationships
Availability, movement, temperature, saltiness, and chemical components (quality) of this all affect competition and ability to survive in populations.
Water
Name one way organisms compete for abiotic factors in the ocean.
Answers will vary
Made up of ALL living and non-living factors in an area
Ecosystem
The largest number of individuals of the same species that an area can support
Carrying Capacity
When outbreak kills off most or all of a population.
Disease
Drought, flood, volcanic eruption, and earthquakes bring about this that reduce populations.
Changing conditions
Is wood an abiotic factor or a biotic factor?
Both