Ecosystems

Ecosystems and Life• Ecology – is the scientific study of

how organisms interact with their environment and all other organisms that live in that environment.

• Ecosystem – is a particular environment and all the living things that are supported by it.

Ecosystems and Life

Can be as small as a Pond Can be as large as a Desert

• All the living and nonliving things that make up an area.

What makes up an ecosystem?

Biotic Factors Abiotic Factors

• Plants – are an important source of food in any ecosystem. They also have an effect on temperature and atmospheric gases.

• Animals – are important to ecosystems for they can be ever changing the environment in which they live.

Biotic Factors in an ecosystem

Biotic Factors in an ecosystem

2.)How do the living factors in this ecosystem depend on one another?

1.) What are the Biotic factors in this ecosystem?

• Physical factors – you can see or feel, such as the temperature or the amount of water or sunlight.

• Chemical Factors – the minerals and compounds found in the soil and whether the ecosystem’s water is fresh or salty.

ABiotic Factors in an ecosystem

• Temperature– Affects the type of plants that will grow there– The plants available for food and shelter,

determine the types of animals that can live there.

ABiotic Factors in an ecosystem

Musk Oxen – can survive in very cold temps. due to its thick coat of fur.

Water Buffalo – survives in warmer temps. due to its light thin coat.

• Light– The strength of sunlight and the amount of

sunlight available in a ecosystem determine the types of plants and animals in that environment.

ABiotic Factors in an ecosystem

Moss – can survive with little light as it is often found on the floors of forest.

Cacti – can survive in environments where light is very strong.

• Soil – Different ecosystems have different make up in

their soil, this affects what type of plants and animals that can survive in this environment.

ABiotic Factors in an ecosystem

Sandy soil – do not hold water well, allows water to flow easily through it.

Clay soil – will not allow water to move through easily at all

• Water– The amount of water available in an ecosystem

depends on what life can be found there.– All living things need water to survive.

ABiotic Factors in an ecosystem

Rainforest – the wettest of all land ecosystems, are the most diverse.

Desert – the driest land ecosystems, have far fewer types of plants and animals.

ABiotic Factors in an ecosystem

1.) What are the Abiotic factors in this ecosystem?2.)How do the nonliving factors in this ecosystem depend on one another?

• Energy Pyramid – a model that shows the amount of energy available at each feeding level of an ecosystem.

Energy and Ecosystems

The available energy gets smaller and smaller the farther up the pyramid you go!

• Is an organism that captures energy and stores it in food as chemical energy.– How does Energy enter into the ecosystem?– What process is this?

• Job of Producers: Is to make energy available to all the other living parts of an ecosystem.

Producers

•Producers Job – make energy available to all the other living parts of an ecosystem.

• Plants are the most common producers found in land ecosystems.

Producers

• Photosynthetic bacteria and algae are the most common producers found in water ecosystems.

• Organisms that get their energy by eating producers!– What is the relationship between a producer-consumer

in terms of energy?

• First link between the producers and the rest of the consumers in an ecosystem.

Primary Consumers

• Land – Rabbits, Antelopes, Grasshoppers, Caterpillars, Insects, Horses, Cows, Deer

Primary Consumers

• Water -Small fish, eel, snail, Water Beetles, Turtles

• Secondary consumers eat primary consumers and will sometimes also eat producers.

Secondary Consumers

Land – Frogs, Snakes, Birds, Venus Fly trap, Spider

Water – Tuna, dolphins, big sea turtles, striped bass

• A carnivore at the topmost level in a food chain that feeds on other carnivores; an animal that feeds on all levels of the pyramid.

Tertiary Consumers

Land – Lion, Humans, Wolves, Bears, Tigers , Hawks

Water – Alligator, Bigger Fish, Sharks, Whales

• Are organisms that break down dead plant and animal matter into simpler compounds

• “Clean Up Crew”

Decomposers

• A model of the feeding relationships between many different consumers and producers in an ecosystem.

Food Web

FOOD WEB CREATION•4 Producers•4 Primary Consumers•4 Secondary Consumers•3 Tertiary Consumers