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Chapter 2: Problem 1

List the six ecological organizational categories from small to large, starting with individual.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The six ecological organizational categories from small to large are: 1. Individual: single organisms of a particular species. 2. Population: a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area. 3. Community: all populations of different species that interact within a specific area. 4. Ecosystem: organisms in a community and the abiotic factors with which they interact. 5. Biome: a large geographical area characterized by a specific climate and its adapted plants and animals. 6. Biosphere: the sum of all the planet's ecosystems, including all life on Earth and their physical environments.

Step by step solution

01

Individual

Individuals are single organisms of a particular species. At this level, we study the physiology, behavior, and life history of a single organism.
02

Population

A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area or habitat. At this level, we study the size, distribution, and growth rate of the population, along with factors that affect these characteristics.
03

Community

A community consists of all populations, or different species, that interact within a specific area or habitat. At this level, we study species interactions, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis.
04

Ecosystem

An ecosystem includes all the organisms in a community, as well as the abiotic (non-living) factors with which they interact, such as sunlight, temperature, and soil composition. At this level, we study energy flow, nutrient cycling, and the structure and function of the ecosystem.
05

Biome

A biome is a large geographical area characterized by a specific climate and the plants and animals adapted to live in that climate. Examples of biomes include deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests. At this level, we study the factors that determine the characteristics of each biome and how the biomes are distributed across the planet.
06

Biosphere

The biosphere is the sum of all the planet's ecosystems, including all life on Earth and the physical environments in which they live. At this level, we study global patterns and processes, such as climate change, biodiversity, and the movement of energy and matter throughout the Earth's systems.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Think about the many roles played by the alligator in the Everglades. For each of the relationships listed here, identify an example of the alligator and another species that illustrates that relationship: predation, competition, mutualism, and commensalism.

Distinguish between primary and secondary ecological succession.

Using the example of spring wildflowers and the critical factor of rainfall, explain the term range of tolerance (in terms of the distribution of wildflowers within their range).

Which species are more negatively affected by habitat fragmentation: edge or core species? Explain.

What is resource partitioning, and how does it reduce competition?
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