Introduction to Ecosystems El Paso Independent School District 6th Grade Science

Objectives In this presentation we will: Name and describe some of the biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. Understand some of the interactions within an ecosystem. Visualize the levels of organization in an ecosystem.

What is an ecosystem? An ecosystem is a place or area where living and non-living factors interact in complex ways. The living parts of an ecosystem are called BIOTIC FACTORS. The non-living parts of an ecosystem are called ABIOTIC FACTORS. Examples of ecosystems include: forest, lake, desert, stream, etc.

Ecosystem Factors Biotic Factors (living) Abiotic Factors (non-living) Animals Vertebrates invertebrates Plants Flowering Non-flowering Fungi Mushrooms mold Protists Animal-like Plant-like Fungus-like Bacteria Helpful Harmful Sun Heat Light Temperature Rocks Soil Water Air Clouds Wind Precipitation Mountains

How do you know if something is living? It is made of cells. It can grow and develop. It can reproduce and repair. It can respond to surroundings. It uses energy and chemicals.

Look at the picture below Look at the picture below. Make a list in your journal/notebook of all the biotic and abiotic factors that you see (answers on next slide.)

Answers Biotic Factors Abiotic factors Sunlight Heat Clouds Dirt/soil Trees Grass Insects Algae Protozoans Bacteria Plankton Rotting log Fungi Kangaroo Termites Snail Frog Bird Fish Snake Lilly Bushes Cattail plants Sunlight Heat Clouds Dirt/soil Water Termite mound (the mound is not alive) Rocks Air

Make the graphic organizer below in your interactive notebook

On the inside of the flaps add these titles

Determine if the following factors are abiotic or biotic and list them on the inside flaps of your graphic organizer. Sun Deer Grass Rock Mouse Snake Dirt Water Hawk Temperature Cactus Oxygen Carbon Coyote Your teacher will have your share your lists with your shoulder partner once the class is done.

Check your answers and complete the center of your graphic organizer.

Why do the majority of desert animals come out at night? Is the answer to question #1 an abiotic or biotic factor? Do biotic factors need abiotic factors or do abiotic factors need biotic factors? Explain your choice. Give 3 examples from your desert ecosystem of how abiotic and biotic factors interact.

Make the graphic organizer below to take notes and add pictures on the levels of organization in an ecosystem

Levels of Organization in an Ecosystem. The smallest unit of an ecosystem is an organism. An organism is an individual living thing that belongs to a certain species. Two or more organisms of the same species living in an area make up a population. organism population

Organism to Population All the red-eared sliders in a pond. All the bald eagles in a mountain range. All the pine trees in a forest.

Communities A community is two or more organisms belonging to different species living in an area.

What does this picture best represent? Species Organism Population Community Click for answer

Answer It represents a community because there is a population of deer, a small population of geese, and a large tree in the background. Since there are many different species of organisms, the picture best represents a community.

An Ecosystem Once the abiotic factors are added to the community, you have an ECOSYSTEM!

Ecosystem Summary Ecosystems are areas where complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors occur. Biotic factors are living; abiotic factors are non-living. All living things: Are made of cells Can grow and develop Reproduce, repair, and respond to surroundings Uses energy and chemicals The levels of organization in an ecosystem are: organism  population  community  ecosystem