Chapter 2: Problem 1

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

Short Answer

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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

Individual

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Individual

Population

Community

Ecosystem

Biome

Biosphere

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