Ecology: $\text{Levels}$ $\text{of}$ $\text{Organization}$ 🔬
**$\text{Ecology}$** is the study of the relationships between $\text{living}$ $\text{organisms}$ and their $\text{physical}$ $\text{environment}$.
$\text{Population}$
A $\text{group}$ of $\text{individuals}$ of the $\text{same}$ $\text{species}$ in the $\text{same}$ $\text{area}$.
$\text{Community}$
All the $\text{different}$ $\text{populations}$ of $\text{organisms}$ living in an $\text{area}$. ($\text{Biotic}$ only).
$\text{Ecosystem}$
The $\text{community}$ ($\text{biotic}$) $\text{interacting}$ with the $\text{abiotic}$ $\text{environment}$ ($\text{water}$, $\text{soil}$).
$\text{Biosphere}$
The $\text{sum}$ of all $\text{living}$ $\text{matter}$ on $\text{Earth}$ where $\text{life}$ $\text{exists}$.
Energy $\text{Flow}$: $\text{Trophic}$ $\text{Levels}$ ⬆️
$\text{Energy}$ $\text{flows}$ through an $\text{ecosystem}$ starting with $\text{solar}$ $\text{energy}$, and is categorized into $\text{Trophic}$ $\text{Levels}$.
1. $\text{Producers}$ ($\text{Autotrophs}$)
Organisms that $\text{make}$ their $\text{own}$ $\text{food}$ ($\text{e.g.,}$ $\text{plants}$).
2. $\text{Primary}$ $\text{Consumers}$ ($\text{Herbivores}$)
Eat $\text{producers}$ ($\text{e.g.,}$ $\text{deer}$).
3. $\text{Secondary}$ $\text{Consumers}$ ($\text{Carnivores}/\text{Omnivores}$)
Eat $\text{primary}$ $\text{consumers}$ ($\text{e.g.,}$ $\text{fox}$).
$\text{The}$ $\text{10}\%$ $\text{Rule}$
Only about **$\mathbf{10}\%$ $\text{of}$ $\text{the}$ $\text{energy}$** from one $\text{trophic}$ $\text{level}$ is $\text{transferred}$ to the $\text{next}$; the rest is $\text{lost}$ as $\text{heat}$.
Biomes: $\text{Climate}$ $\text{and}$ $\text{Life}$ 🌍
A **$\text{Biome}$** is a large $\text{regional}$ $\text{ecosystem}$ characterized by $\text{distinct}$ $\text{climate}$ $\text{and}$ $\text{plant}$ $\text{life}$. $\text{Climate}$ is the $\text{primary}$ $\text{factor}$ determining which $\text{biome}$ develops.
1. $\text{Temperature}$
The $\text{average}$ $\text{yearly}$ $\text{temperature}$ is critical. $\text{Determines}$ $\text{growing}$ $\text{season}$ $\text{length}$ and $\text{rates}$ of $\text{decay}$.
2. $\text{Precipitation}$
The $\text{total}$ $\text{yearly}$ $\text{rainfall}/\text{snowfall}$. $\text{Limits}$ the $\text{biomass}$ $\text{that}$ $\text{can}$ $\text{grow}$.
$\text{Examples}$ $\text{of}$ $\text{Biomes}$
$\text{Tundra}$ ($\text{low}$ $T$, $\text{low}$ $\text{P}$), $\text{Tropical}$ $\text{Rain}$ $\text{Forest}$ ($\text{high}$ $T$, $\text{high}$ $\text{P}$), $\text{Desert}$ ($\text{variable}$ $T$, $\text{very}$ $\text{low}$ $\text{P}$).
⚡ $\text{Ecology}$ $\text{Concept}$ $\text{Check}$!
Identify the correct $\text{Trophic}$ $\text{Level}$ for the organism described.
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