Systems in the Environment

Systems in the Environment 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 a 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 Abiotic non-living factors Biotic Living organisms 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. Ex 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. (what the squirrel does)

BIOME A Biome is a large geographical region that contains similar ecosystems. 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 we divide them into terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water-based) biomes.

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

Where are the only marine biomes in Ontario 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 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. (O2, CO2, H2O)

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

Examining Ecosystems around HCC Activity We will take a walk outside to the field and near the pond area for you to examine the abiotic and biotic elements and their interactions within an ecosystem.

Spheres on Earth & Ecosystems Read pages 29-30 #2,4,5 Read pages 32-35 #1,2,4,7