Levels of Organization in Ecosystems

Mrs. Haley explains the four levels of organization in an ecosystem: organism, population, community, and ecosystem. Each level adds complexity and interactions. Using a pond as an example, she describes how individual organisms form populations, which together create communities, and finally, how these communities interact with non-living elements to form ecosystems.

What is the smallest level of organization in an ecosystem?

• Organism

• Population

• Ecosystem

• Community

Which level of organization includes just one living thing?

• Ecosystem

• Population

• Organism

• Community

What does the population level include?

• All living things in an ecosystem

• All non-living things in an ecosystem

• All organisms of one species

• All plants in an ecosystem

In the context of a pond ecosystem, what would the population level include?

• All trees in a forest

• All birds in the sky

• All fish in the ocean

• All turtles in the pond

What does the community level encompass?

• All non-living things

• All plants

• All living things

• All living and non-living things

In a pond ecosystem, which of the following would be part of the community level?

• Producers, consumers, and decomposers

• Temperature and soil

• Sun and air

• Water and rocks

What is included in the ecosystem level?

• Both living and non-living things

• Only non-living things

• Only living things

• Only plants

Which of the following is an example of an abiotic component in an ecosystem?

• Turtles

• Frogs

• Raccoons

• Water

In a pond ecosystem, which of the following is NOT part of the ecosystem level?

• Only turtles

• Sun

• Air

• Rocks

Which level of organization is the largest in an ecosystem?

• Organism

• Ecosystem

• Population

• Community