Name:__________________________ Date:____________ Earth is a system Unit 2 - Ch.4.1 - Ecosystem Notes

The narrow layer of Earth where life can exist. The Biosphere The narrow layer of Earth where life can exist. Life on Earth requires: A. Liquid water B. Temperatures between 10°C and 40°C C. Source of energy 1. Plants & algae use sunlight to make food 2. Most other organisms get energy from what they eat

Ecosystems: Everything is Connected

What is an ecosystem? An ecosystem is all of the organisms living in an area together with their physical environment. Ex: Forest, coral reef, your backyard The components of an ecosystem are constantly interacting with each other

Think – Pair - Share What are the components of the ecosystem pictured? 2) Identify possible interactions between organisms in this ecosystem.

Components of an Ecosystem All ecosystems need basic components in order to survive. 1) Biotic Factors – living and once living parts of the ecosystem Ex: plants, animals, leaves, organisms’ waste 2) Abiotic Factors – nonliving parts of the ecosystem Ex: air, water, rocks, sunlight Which parts of the coral reef are biotic? Which are abiotic?

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW… Think back to your stick figure… - Are we all part of the same ecosystem? - Is someone in China part of our ecosystem?

Organism – an individual living thing Ex: a fish What’s in an Ecosystem? Organism – an individual living thing Ex: a fish Species - a group of organisms that can mate to produce fertile offspring Ex: Catfish Population –members of the same species that live in the same area at the same time Ex: all catfish in a pond Community – different species living in the same place and interacting with each other. Ex: insects, fish, frogs, & plants in a pond. Habitat - the place where the community lives. Ex: the pond the catfish live in.

Think about it… Can an organism live outside of its habitat for a long period of time? Why/why not?

Stop… T-P-S Time 1) Classify the following pictures on your own using the terms: organism, population, community, or habitat. Pair up with your partner to compare your results.

organism, population, community, or habitat? (1)

organism, population, community, or habitat? (2)

organism, population, community, or habitat? (3)

organism, population, community, or habitat? (4)

Levels of complexity of living organisms on Earth

Everything is Connected You can think of an ecosystem as working like a car. The engine of a car is made up of hundreds of parts that all work together. **Think about it - What might happen to the car if one of these parts breaks?

Everything is Connected The same applies to an ecosystem. So, what might happen to an ecosystem if one part is changed or destroyed? Simpson’s clip

Model Ecosystem Create a model or blueprint for your given ecosystem. The blueprint should include the following and be labeled with: Habitat/location Biotic factors in the ecosystem (at least 3) Abiotic factors in the ecosystem (at least 3) The interactions among the ecosystem’s community and habitat (at least 1 per member of the ecosystem) A population A community A description of how the ecosystem may be threatened by human activities (how might the ecosystem be negatively impacted by human actions?).

Model Ecosystem Lab Station 1 – Desert Lab Station 2 - Forest Lab Station 3 - Pond Lab Station 4 - Beach Lab Station 5 - Garden Lab Station 6 - Fish Tank