Unit 3 - Life on Earth Biodiversity and Investigating Ecosystems

Biomes Biome: are the various regions of our planet as distinguished by their similar climate, fauna and flora. Global distribution of biomes can be influenced by temperature and rainfall. Can you think of any examples of biomes?

Name the biomes... A B C D

Ecosystems All living organisms interact with other living things and their non-living surroundings. We call this interaction an ecosystem. living organisms + non-living= surroundings ecosystem

Soil Ecosystem What’s living? What’s non-living?

Fresh Water Ecosystem What’s living? What’s non-living?

Biodiversity Biodiversity: the variety of species in an ecosystem. Watch Natures Microworlds and see the amazing diversity of life on Earth!

An ecosystem is made up from different parts: Community Habitat Population Components of an Ecosystem

Habitat A habitat is the place where an organism lives.

What habitats are in this ecosystem?

Population In an ecosystem, a group of organisms made of one species is called a population. How many can you get right?

A population of dolphins...a school of dolphins

A population of sheep...a flock of sheep

A population of crows...a murder of crows

A population of lions...a pride of lions

A population of geese...a gaggle of geese

A population of ants...an army of ants

(My fave) A population of hodgehegs...a prickle of hodgehegs

Community A community is all the living organisms together in an ecosystem. This means that: Community + Habitat=Ecosystem

Find a habitat, a community and a population in this ecosystem

Components of an Ecosystem WordMeaningExample Habitat Population Community Ecosystem H______ + C_________ = ______________

Identifying Ecosystem Components Pond Ecosystem Glue In:

Identifying Ecosystem Components Think  What are three habitats in this ecosystem?  How do the communities in these habitats differ?  Why are organisms restricted to their habitats?

Biotic and Abiotic Factors Many factors can have an effect on ecosystems. Biotic factors – factors relating to living things, e.g. predation, competition. Abiotic factors – non-living factors which affect an ecosystem, e.g. temperature, pH

Biotic or Abiotic? Light intensity Temperature pH Moisture Predation Grazing Disease Food availability

Biotic or Abiotic? BioticAbiotic

Research an Ecosystem You will be allocated an ecosystem card. Your role is to find out the answers to the questions on the card. Prepare to produce a team poster about your ecosystem.

One stay, two stray When listening to the presentations, find out; The temperature and rainfall expected in this ecosystem. An example of a plant and animal found there. A human influence affecting that ecosystem.

Why can these birds all live happily on the Galapagos?

Ecological Niche A niche is the role an organism plays in its ecosystem. This includes where it lives and breeds, what it feeds on, and what feeds on it

Did these animals come from one species or two?

What is the best definition of a species? 1.A group of animals that can interbreed 2.A group of organisms that can have offspring of their own 3.A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring 4.A group of organisms that have characteristics in common

Now try… Wordbank WYSK

Bingo! Ecosystem Biome Habitat Community Population Biotic Biodiversity Abiotic Species Ecological Niche