Unit 3 Lesson 3

Exploration 2
Notes & Big Ideas
Populations
Population- A group of organisms of the
same kind in an ecosystem, like this herd of
caribou
All members of a population-
◦ interact with one another
◦ have very similar needs.
◦ eat the same kind of food
◦ need the same kind of shelter
◦ need water and space to grow and find food
◦ interact as they meet their needs. 2
Community

◦ A community consists of all the

populations that live and interact in
an area.
◦ Different populations in a
community might not have all of the
same needs.
◦ The populations in a community
interact.

3
Limiting factors-

Limit how many living things of

a particular population an
ecosystem can support.
There are limited amounts of water and of
food, resources.

Space, water, and food are limited, in an

ecosystem they may be limiting factors.

Living things compete for these resources,

they must win to survive.
6
Predators are Prey are the
animals that animals they
hunt, catch, and catch and eat. In
eat other animals an ecosystem,
to get the food predator and
they need. prey populations
interact.

7
 “Vulnerability--
not hunger,
not anger, and
certainly not spite--
is the key to
predator-prey
relationship