ECOSYSTEMS

Ecology is how living things interact with biotic and abiotic factors in their environment. Organisms eat and interact with other species in biomes. A habitat is the place where an organism lives that provides things the organism needs. An organisms surroundings allows it to obtain food, water and shelter to live, grow and reproduce. Biotic factors are the living parts of an ecosystem e.g. people, trees, animals, fungi, etc. Abiotic factors are the non-living parts of an ecosystem e.g. temperature, water, sunlight, rock, animals, oxygen and soil. Water and sunlight are two abiotic factors which are important to all organisms. All organisms need water. Plants need water and sunlight to make food in the process of photosynthesis. Adaptation is the alteration of bodies physically and behaviourally when an organism moves to a new habitat. When the food supply in a habitat becomes low, they must move to a new habitat. Weather, hurricanes and snow are some limiting factors that make them leave their home. Species is a group of organisms that are physically similar and can reproduce FERTILE offspring. Species group together. Population is all members of one species in a particular area. A community is the association of plants and animals living together, affecting each others lives and is made up of all the different populations that live together. The levels of organisation within an ecosystem: Organism Population Community Ecosystem (several communities) Biome (larger ecosystem) Biosphere (larger biome)

Niche is an organisms role in an ecosystem which includes how it interacts with all the abiotic and biotic parts of an ecosystem. Diversity depends on the variety of species that live within an ecosystem. Some ecosystems are very diverse, while others may only contain a few different species. Symbiosis is a close relationship between two species where one species benefits. There are three types of symbiosis: Commensalism- a relationship between two organisms where one is neither harmed nor benefitted and the other benefits. Mutualism- a relationship between two organisms where both organisms benefit. Parasitism- relationship between two organisms where one is harmed and the other benefits. The parasite lives on the outside or inside of its host.