Biology Ecosystem Notes
What Shapes an Ecosystem?
Ecosystems are made up of: * Biotic factors- all living parts of an ecosystem (plants, animals, bacteria) * Abiotic factors- all nonliving (but natural) parts of an ecosystem (soil, wind, water)
These factors together (biotic and abiotic) determine which types of organisms can live in that particular ecosystem.
A habitat- the place where an organism lives- includes both biotic and abiotic factors
A niche includes both the habitat of an organism and its unique place in that habitat: -its spot in the food web -its need for water, temperature, etc. -how it reproduces
No two species share the same niche in the same habitat
Community Interactions
How do organisms interact? * Competition: 2 or more species wanting to use the same habitat and competing for resources necessary for life * Predation: an organism (predator) captures and feeds on another organism (prey) * Symbiosis: any relationship in which 2 species live closely together.
There are 3 main kinds of symbiosis: 1. Mutualism 2. Commensalism 3. Parasitism
Mutualism: a situation when both organisms benefit from a relationship
Examples: a bee and a flower; a sea anemone and a clown fish Commensalism: a situation when one species benefits and one is not affected
Example: a shark and a remora
Parasitism: a situation in which one organism lives in or on another organism and harms it.
Example: a tick and a deer
Ecological Succession
Ecosystems are constantly changing in response to natural and human disturbances.
Changes that occur in a community over time is called ecological succession.
Succession can be a slow and gradual response to physical changes such as a change in rainfall or temperature.
Succession can also be abrupt due to such things as fires or volcanoes.
There are two kinds of succession: 1. Primary succession 2. Secondary succession
Primary succession occurs on surfaces
Ecosystems are made up of: * Biotic factors- all living parts of an ecosystem (plants, animals, bacteria) * Abiotic factors- all nonliving (but natural) parts of an ecosystem (soil, wind, water)
These factors together (biotic and abiotic) determine which types of organisms can live in that particular ecosystem.
A habitat- the place where an organism lives- includes both biotic and abiotic factors
A niche includes both the habitat of an organism and its unique place in that habitat: -its spot in the food web -its need for water, temperature, etc. -how it reproduces
No two species share the same niche in the same habitat
Community Interactions
How do organisms interact? * Competition: 2 or more species wanting to use the same habitat and competing for resources necessary for life * Predation: an organism (predator) captures and feeds on another organism (prey) * Symbiosis: any relationship in which 2 species live closely together.
There are 3 main kinds of symbiosis: 1. Mutualism 2. Commensalism 3. Parasitism
Mutualism: a situation when both organisms benefit from a relationship
Examples: a bee and a flower; a sea anemone and a clown fish Commensalism: a situation when one species benefits and one is not affected
Example: a shark and a remora
Parasitism: a situation in which one organism lives in or on another organism and harms it.
Example: a tick and a deer
Ecological Succession
Ecosystems are constantly changing in response to natural and human disturbances.
Changes that occur in a community over time is called ecological succession.
Succession can be a slow and gradual response to physical changes such as a change in rainfall or temperature.
Succession can also be abrupt due to such things as fires or volcanoes.
There are two kinds of succession: 1. Primary succession 2. Secondary succession
Primary succession occurs on surfaces