Interactions within Ecosystems Interactions within Ecosystems

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems What is an Ecosystem? A unit that comprises organisms and their physical environment. A unit that comprises organisms and their physical environment. Ecology- the study of how organisms interact with their environment and with other organisms. Ecology- the study of how organisms interact with their environment and with other organisms.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems What is an Ecosystem? Places where organisms live are called habitats. Places where organisms live are called habitats. Everything that is needed for an organism to survive would be found in a habitat. Everything that is needed for an organism to survive would be found in a habitat.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems What are the Factors that can affect an ecosystem? Biotic Factors Biotic Factors –Living things that are found in an environment. Biotic Factors –Living things that are found in an environment. Ex. Animals Ex. AnimalsHow? -How do animals affect each other? -Feed each other -Compete with each other -Help each other Abiotics Factors- Non-living things that affect organisms. Non-living things that affect organisms. Ex. Water (salty/fresh), rocks, sunlight,,temperature, soil (compound/ minerals) Ex. Water (salty/fresh), rocks, sunlight,,temperature, soil (compound/ minerals)

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems Abiotic Factors: Abiotic Factors: –1. Light and light intensity –All plants need light to survive. –Some plants need more light than others. –Animals can survive in dark and light areas.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems –2. Temperature All animals and plants have a certain temperature that they need to survive. All animals and plants have a certain temperature that they need to survive.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems 3. Soil Plants get nutrients from the soil. Plants get nutrients from the soil. Plants grow roots into soil. Plants grow roots into soil. Animals form tunnels for air and water to move through. Animals form tunnels for air and water to move through.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems 4. Air and Wind Windy areas can affect plant growth since these areas tend to be dry. Windy areas can affect plant growth since these areas tend to be dry. Plants usually grow shorter than normal. Plants usually grow shorter than normal. Animals that fly can also be affected by the wind. Animals that fly can also be affected by the wind.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems 5. Water All organisms need water to survive. All organisms need water to survive. Some organisms can survive with smaller amounts of water. Some organisms can survive with smaller amounts of water.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems Class Work: Pages Describe how temperature, light and soil affect an ecosystem. (Copy & Answer in your ISN) Describe how temperature, light and soil affect an ecosystem. (Copy & Answer in your ISN) Be ready to share. Be ready to share.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems Activity- 1. Name the Ecosystem: 2. Identify 3 Biotic and 3 Abiotic factors that are part of this ecosystem.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems Laboratory Work 1. How much can temperature vary in one place? How much can temperature vary in one place?Procedure: 1. Choose different locations outside where you can measure the temperature. 2. Record the temperature for 2 minutes. 3. Record your data in your ISN.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems Data Format: Location:Temperature:

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems Analysis (Copy in your ISN) Which location was the warmest, which was the coolest? Which location was the warmest, which was the coolest? Describe what factors may have affected the temperature at each location. Describe what factors may have affected the temperature at each location.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION: 1. BIOSPHERE- The part of Earth where life exists. 2. BIOME-A large region with a similar climate, and specific plant and animal communities based on that climate 3. ECOSYSTEM 4. COMMUNITY-All of the living things (biotic factors) in an area. 5. POPULATION-A group of individuals of the same species that live together. 6. ORGANISM-A single living thing.

Grade 7 ScienceInteractions Within Ecosystems Activity: Explain how is this all tied together? (ISN)