Chapter 4

Section 4.1
Interactions within Ecosystems
 Ecology
• This field of biology that deals with ecosystems
and interactions between living things is known
as ecology.

• Ecology – the study of the interactions between

organisms and their living and non-living
environment.

• Recall that the abiotic factors are the non-living

factors that influence an organism and the biotic
factors are the living things that influence an
organism.
 Levels of Organization
• In this unit we will be more closely examining the levels
of organization within an ecosystem.
• For the purposes of this unit we will be adding one more
level.

Biosphere
Biome
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Organism

• A biome is a region that is characterized by the

dominant plant and animal life and the prevailing climate
conditions.
 Ecotones
• Ecosystems rarely have sharp boundaries,
and organisms can move back and forth
from one ecosystem to another.

• An ecotone is the transition area between

ecosystems.

• Because ecotones often contain species

from both bordering ecosystems they tend
to have greater biodiversity.
Ecotones

Ecotone
 Natural vs. Artificial
Ecosystems
• Artificial ecosystem – is an area that is
planned or maintained by humans.
Ex. Parks, farms and managed forests.

• Natural ecosystem – is an area where the living

community is free to interact with the physical
and chemical environment.
Ex. Lakes, rivers, forests and deserts.

Case Study Pg. 88-89 (#1-15)

 Roles in Ecosystems
• Each organism has a specific role that it fills in
its ecosystem.

• These roles are known as ecological niches.

• Examples of niches:
- It’s place in the food chain
- It’s habitat
- It’s breeding area
- It’s most active time of day
• Different species inhabit different ecological
niches.

• Species will adapt or change so that they do not

overlap niches.

• An example of adaption to niches is the

warblers.
 The Warblers
Competition for food is reduced
because each species of
warbler prefers to feed in a
different section of the tree.

This means that each warbler

is filling a different ecological
niche within the forest
ecosystem.
 Exotic or Introduced Species
• The introduction of a new species to an
ecosystem by humans is one of the main causes
of species depletion and extinction.

• These exotic or introduced species invade the

ecological niches of native species and compete
for food and other resources.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxxgflwX2Fg