13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors Updates: Unit guide 13.3 # 1-3, 13.2 #1-3 due Homework: –Read 4.1, 27.3 –Unit guide 4.1/27.3 #1 – 4 due Thursday Unit 4 quiz 1 Friday Last call for unit 3 work Friday!

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors LEQ: What factors shape ecosystems? Activator: –Each group will be assigned an ecosystem –List at least 5 things that come to mind when you think about this ecosystem. –Create a group definition of an of what an ecosystem is. Key term – ecology, biotic factor, abiotic factor, limiting factor

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors An ecologist studies the “house” in which an organism lives and the interactions that take place in it. Ecology – is the study of organisms and how they interact in the environment in which they live –Interactions between organisms, the environment

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors An ecosystem includes both biotic and abiotic factors. Biotic factors are living components in ecosystems. –Microbes: nutrient cycling, disease –Fungi: decomposition –Plants: production –Animals: predation, herbivory

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors Abiotic factors influence the type and distribution of organisms includes: –rainfall, temperature, sunlight, Soil/water chemistry

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors Abiotic factors can limit the abundance of certain organisms –Limiting factors limit growth, development, reproduction “optima mismatch” –Encourages competition, adaptation

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors Ecological relationships handout

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors

1) Which of the following is a biotic factor in a forest? A) temperature B) tree species C) rainfall D) soil chem. 2) Which of the following is an abiotic factor in a desert? A) rainfall B) sunlight C) temperature D) predator species 3)Which of the following is a limiting factor for plant growth on a well-shaded forest floor? A) rainfall B) sunlight C) temperature D) soil chemistry

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors Discussion: Grassland ecosystems How does the phosphorus content of grassland soils influence how large grazers behave? In your opinion, does this behavior support grassland health or harm it? Explain.

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Summary: Urban deer herd mini-case study

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors Analyze the read-aloud from the viewpoint of a professional biologist. –Is the director right that they need to continue to hunt deer? –Is she correct that they are only killing young ones? –predict the long-term consequences of a controlled hunt.

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors Producers transform non-living matter and energy into life. Producers get their energy from non-living resources. –autotrophs make their own chemicals for food (left). –Chemotrophs use chemosynthesis to produce chemicals as an energy source (right).

13.2 Biotic and Abiotic Factors Consumers get their energy by eating the carbon molecules of organisms; alive or dead –heterotrophs - feed off of different things.