生态学的一些概念英文版.ppt

Ecology: the study of the interactions of living things with each other and their physical environment Ecological Organization: Population: all the members of a species inhabiting a given location Community: all the interacting populations in a given area Ecosystem: the living community and the physical environment functioning together as an independent and relatively stable system 4. Biosphere: that portion of the earth where life exists a. The biosphere is composed of numerous complex ecosystems. b. An ecosystem involves interactions between abiotic (physical) and biotic (living) factors. The members of the community in the ecosystem and environment must interact to maintain a balance. An ecosystem is self-sustaining if the following requirements are met: 1. A constant source of energy and a living system capable of incorporating this energy into organic molecules. 2. A cycling of materials between organisms and their environment. In all environments, organisms with similar needs may compete with each other for resources, including food, space, water, air, and shelter. Abiotic factors: those physical and chemical factors which affect the ability of organisms to survive and reproduce Some Abiotic Factors: 1. intensity of light 2. range of temperatures 3. amount of moisture 4. type of substratum (soil or rock type) 5. availability of inorganic substances such as minerals 6. supply of gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen 7. pH ** Each of the prior listed abiotic factors varies in the environment and, as such, may act as a limiting factor, determining the types of organisms that exist in that environment. Some examples: 1. A low annual temperature common to the northern latitudes determines in part the species of plants which can exist in that area. 2. The amount of oxygen dissolved in a body of water will help determine what species of fish live there. 3. The dry environment of