3.1 Introduction to Global Systems

Biosphere

Part of earth where life exists

• Land

• Water

• Air on atmosphere

Ecology

Studies of interactions between organisms

• Significant correlation between economics (human populations) and ecology

  • Healthy ecological system

    • Drinkable water

    • Fertile soil 

Species

Group of organisms that can breed

Population

Individuals that are part of the same species and live in the same area

Community

Group of different populations that live together in a defined area

Ecoystem

All organisms that live in a place together with physical environment

Biome

Group of ecosystems sharing similar climates and organisms

Earth

Houses all biomes

Scientific approaches

• Observation

• Experimentation

• Modeling

Observation

First step in asking ecological question

• Develops into testable hypothesis

Experimentation

Support or reject hypothesis through experimentation and gathering data

• Can create artificial environments

Modeling

Scientists use data and formulas to create smaller or simpler version of how nature functions

• Can develop into further hypotheses

Biotic factor

Living part of environment which organisms interact with

• Predators

• Prey

Abiotic factor

Non-living organisms in a given environment

• Sunlight

• Heat

• Precipitation

• etc.

Environment

Combination of biotic and abiotic factors

Atmosphere

All gasses which surround Earth

Biosphere

All living organisms and environments they live in

Hydrosphere

All Earth’s water

Geosphere

All solids

• Rocks

• Continents

• Ocean Floor