Ecology is the study of the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors in environments. The Greek root eco means home and the Greek suffix ology means study of.

Biotic factors in an environment interact with each other in complex ways. For example, some organisms feed on other organisms as shown in the food chain below.

This image shows a food chain starting with grass, that is eating by the zebra. The zebra is eaten by the hyena and the hyena is eaten by the lion

Source: Grass, Zebra, Hyena, Lion, Ocal, Clker

Biotic factors also interact with the abiotic factors in the environment. A living organism’s survival is dependent upon water, minerals, temperature and light.

To study the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors in environments, scientists have created a hierarchyy of ecosystem organization that ranges from a single organism to the biosphere.

Video segment. Assistance may be required. Watch this video to learn more about the levels of organization in ecosystems. Take notes on your paper about each level or organization.

Source: Levels of Organization in Ecology, Brain Wallace, YouTube

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required. Practice what you have learned. Drag the appropriate term into the level column.