What happens when ecosystems change?

Unit Standards 5.L.4A.1 Analyze and interpret data to summarize the abiotic factors (including quantity of light and water, range of temperature, salinity, and soil composition) of different terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems. 5.L.4A.2 Obtain and communicate information to describe and compare the biotic factors (including individual organisms, populations, and communities) of different terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

What happens when ecosystems change? Some changes are permanent. These changes affect the organisms within that ecosystem. Organisms must respond to changes in order to survive. Some respond by migrating to a place where they are more likely to survive.

What happens when ecosystems change? When a species cannot respond to ecosystem changes, individual members of that species begin to die.

What happens when ecosystems change? Extinct species- when the last member of the species dies and the species is no longer on earth.

What happens when ecosystems change? Some extinct organisms include all species of dinosaurs, saber-toothed cat and the dodo bird.

What happens when ecosystems change? Thousands of species are expected to become extinct each year. Pollution, global warming, habitat destruction, and hunting all threaten organisms.

What happens when ecosystems change? The Tasmanian wolf became extinct about 65 years ago as a result of human actions. These wolves once lived in Australia. Farmers saw the Tasmanian wolf as a threat to their livestock and hunted the animal to extinction.

What happens when ecosystems change? Endangered species- When a species is in danger of becoming extinct

What happens when ecosystems change? Endangered species today include the pitcher plant, the hawksbill sea turtle, the Karner blue butterfly, the flying squirrel, and many others.

What happens when ecosystems change? Threatened species- species with low numbers that could become endangered. Stag-Horn coral Red Wolf Rabb’s Fringe Limb Tree Frog Pygmy Racoon

What happens when ecosystems change? The grey wolf, the manatee, and many other animals are threatened species.

What happens when ecosystems change? Each endangered and threatened organism is at risk for different reasons. pollution over-hunting or over collecting disease competition from newly introduced organisms habitat loss (biggest threat to the survival)