Ecology Basics
The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
Ecology.
A single living thing interacting with its environment.
Organism.
Ecology is considered these two types of sciences because ecologists collect observations and test hypotheses.
Observational and experimental science
This field applies ecological principles to solve practical human problems.
Environmental science
A clownfish adapting to life in a coral reef would be studied at this ecological level.
Organismal ecology
Ecology studies interactions between organisms and this part of their surroundings.
Their physical environment.
A group of individuals of the same species living in the same place at the same time.
Population.
The central goal of ecology is to develop these that explain and predict the distribution and abundance of populations.
Models.
This branch of ecology focuses on conserving biodiversity and natural resources for present and future generations.
Conservation biology
Counting clownfish living in one reef every year is an example of studying this ecological level.
Population
Ecology provides information that helps humans make informed decisions about preserving this.
The environment (or the biosphere)
All populations of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing viable offspring.
Species.
Before accepting an explanation, ecologists test these.
Hypotheses.
Wildlife species are considered this type of part of a functioning biosphere.
An integral part
Studying how fewer algae affect fish and crustaceans is studying this ecological level.
Community.
The largest level of ecological organization, including all life on Earth.
Biosphere.
All the different populations living in one area.
Community.
Ecologists compared forests before and after fires to understand the role of this natural event.
Fire.
Human overconsumption of resources threatens this global life-supporting system.
The biosphere.
A coral reef plus sunlight, water, rocks, and nutrients together form this level of organization.
Ecosystem.
Put these levels in order from smallest to largest: ecosystem, organism, biosphere, community, population, species.
Organism → Population → Species → Community → Ecosystem → Biosphere
Explain the difference between a community and an ecosystem.
A community includes only living populations, while an ecosystem includes the community plus the nonliving physical environment.
Explain why ecology is considered both an observational and experimental science.
Ecologists observe organisms and ecosystems, then test hypotheses through experiments (such as comparing ecosystems before and after controlled burns).
Explain why conservation biology is important for humans.
It protects biodiversity and natural resources that humans depend on for survival now and in the future.
A scientist measures how suspended particles reduce sunlight reaching algae and how that affects fish populations. Which two levels of organization are being studied?
Ecosystem and community