Section 3.1

What is ecology?

Ecology is the scientific study of interactions among organisms between organisms and their physical environments.

Biome

A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms.

Species

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

Ecosystem

All the organisms that live in a place, together with their no living environment.

Biotic factor

Any living part of the environment with which an organism might interact.

Community

Assemblage of different populations that live together in a defined area.

What are biotic and abiotic factors?

Biotic factors: The biological influences on organisms are called biotic factors. Abiotic factors: Physical components of an ecosystem are called abiotic factors.

Population

Group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area.

Biosphere

Part of Earth in which life exist including land, water, and air or atmosphere.

Abiotic factor

Physical, or nonliving, factor that shaped an ecosystem.

What methods are used in ecological studies?

Regardless of their tools, modern in their work: observation, experimentation, and modeling. Each of these approaches relies on scientific methology to guide inquiry.

Ecology

Scientific study of interaction among organisms and between organisms and between organism and their environment.