1.1 Ecosystems pp

Learning Goals By the end of this lesson, you should know: –The difference between a biotic and an abiotic factor –The elements of an ecosystem: species, population, community, habitat, niche, etc. –What a biome is and some examples – The elements of the biosphere: lithosphere, hydrosphere & atmosphere

Systems in the Environment System A group of individual parts that interact as a whole to accomplish a task. Components The parts that make up a system

Systems in the Environment When we look at the environment we need to take an Holistic Approach. –Everything is important and the environment as a whole is emphasized.

Ecological systems are complex Ecology – The study of how organisms interact with each other as well as with their environment. –Someone who studies Ecology is known as an ecologist.

Elements of Ecology An Ecosystem is a complex, self-regulating system in which living things interact with each other and with non-living things. An ecosystem is said to be self-regulating if the interactions keep it healthy and sustainable.

Elements of Ecology In order to classify what is living and what is not living, ecologists use the following terms. Biotic Living organisms –animals, plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae. Abiotic non-living factors –Rocks, water, air, temperature, hours of light, or salt concentration.

Elements of Ecology The interaction of biotic and abiotic factors helps to keep the environment self-regulating

Ecosystems Have Communities A Species is a group of similar organisms in an ecosystem. Members of a species can reproduce with each other, and their offspring can reproduce. e.g. grey squirrels can reproduce when they mate with each other but not with a red squirrel.

Ecosystems Have Communities A Population is a group of members of the same species that live in the same area. The area that an organism lives is its habitat.

Ecosystems Have Communities A Community is made up of populations of different species that live and interact in an area. –Example: a park All of the interactions of a species with its ecosystem form the species niche. –A squirrel’s niche includes eating nuts and seeds, being hunted, etc.

BIOME A Biome is a large geographical region that contains similar ecosystems. Biomes are classified as terrestrial (land- based) or aquatic (water-based). On land, biomes are defined by the type of plants that grow in them, average temperature, and average rainfall. Ecosystems in a biome usually have similar biotic factors.

Aquatic Biomes have two main categories Marine – high salt concentration Freshwater – low salt concentration

Marine biomes exist in oceans, Coral reefs, the ocean floor, the Open Ocean and intertidal zones. Where are the only marine biomes in Ontario – Hudson and James bay. Freshwater biomes include lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands.

Biosphere The part of the planet including, water, land and air, where life exists. The biosphere is made up of 3 interacting parts.

Biosphere 1. Atmosphere The layer of gasses that surround the earth. The gasses are used to trap heat and moisture around the earth The gases are also necessary for life to exist. (Oxygen (O 2 ), Nitrogen (N 2 ), Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ), Water (H 2 O))

Biosphere 2. Lithosphere The Earths solid, outer layer. It is 100km deep and runs under the oceans. It contains soil which is home to many micro-organisms, plants, animals, and fungi.

Biosphere 3. Hydrosphere All of the water on the Earth. All living organisms need water, and so they depend on the hydrosphere.

Biosphere

Learning Goals By the end of this lesson, you should know: –The difference between a biotic and an abiotic factor –The elements of an ecosystem: species, population, community, habitat, niche, etc. –What a biome is and some examples – The elements of the biosphere: lithosphere, hydrosphere & atmosphere

Homework Read pp. 8 – 19 In your notes list Canada’s five main terrestrial biomes and their defining vegetation. Answer the following questions: –p. 21 # 1 – 9, 11, 13, 15