Ecosystems

Ecosystems

• Interacting populations of organisms with biotic and abiotic factors

Abiotic Factors

• Non-living factors that affect the ecosystem: light, space, temperature, shelter, water, soil composition

Biotic Factor

• Living factors that affect the ecosystem: food sources, other population members, other species

Competition

• More than one individual, or population in an ecosystem, relies upon the same limited resources

Niche

• Role in an ecosystem

Limiting Factor

• A biotic or abiotic factor needed as a resource for survival; depletion prevents growth or expansion of the organism or population

Summary

• Resources for an organism’s habitat, including space, food, shelter, and water, may be limited or depleted by competition. Two species cannot operate in the same niche in the same environment.

• Organisms rely on natural resources in their environment such as quantity of light, water supply, and suitable temperature.

• Competition occurs when niches overlap and organisms seek the same resources, especially when the population density is high.