Intro to Ecosystems Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors

Key Question: What do you think an ecosystem is? Initial Thoughts Is it Living? 9/15/15

Biodiversity The variety of organisms in a specific environment or on earth.

What factors both living and non living will affect my life? 3 minutes To THINK PAIR SHARE

Factors affecting mouse Predators Food Shelter Temperature Weather Competitors Pathogens Parasites Clean Water

Would the same factors affect this flower?

Factors Affecting Plant Predators Food Shelter Temperature Weather Competitors Pollinators Soil Nutrients Wind Daylight

Definitions Ecosystem: A community interacting with the non-living parts of its environment. Eco- means environment -system interacting parts

Definitions Biotic: Living organisms in the environment, such as plants or animals. Bio- life tic- pertaining to/ of Abiotic: Non-living physical features of the environment, such as soil and water. A- not Bio- life tic- pertaining to / of

Evidence 1: Card Sort Sort the cards into 3 columns. Record your answers in a table like below: BioticAbioticUnsure (or both/can’t agree)

Evidence: Sort contd… Look at those that are in the unsure column. Why were those confusing? Write down the rule that you used to decide if something is biotic or abiotic.

Let’s Practice! For each picture (ecosystem), name as many biotic and abiotic factors as you can. Where do you think the ecosystem boundaries are? (Where do they begin and end?)

What are the Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Image?

Check Yourself Biotic Trees, cactus, shell, scorpion, grass/seaweed Abiotic Sun, clouds, sand, water, ice, snow

Group Practice In your lab group, you will create a list of abiotic and biotic factors for each ecosystem.

River Ecosystem

Abiotic Biotic

River Ecosystem Biotic Trees Fish Moss Bugs Branches Algae Amphibians Birds Snails Plants Animals Leaves roots Abiotic River/water Rocks Oxygen Sand Dirt Sun Clouds Air/atmosphere Glacier?

River Ecosystem Biotic Moss Trees Algae Bacteria Fish Frogs Squirrels Twigs, Leaves, debris Dead animals Micro-organisms Birds Insects Abiotic Sand Water Dirt Rocks Sun Oxygen Bubbles Clouds Gold Mud

Mountain Valley

Ocean Ecosystem

Ocean Biotic Human Fish Barnacles Coral Snails Skeletons Shells Algae Sharks Fish eggs Squid Octopus Whales Dolphins Mold Plankton Seaweed/Kelp Abiotic Sand Water Boat Oxygen CO2 Sunlight Rock Metal Minerals

Ocean Biotic Bacteria Co2 Coral Corpses Fish Scuba diver Whales Seaweed Aquatic plants Sea urchins Blood Abiotic Sand Ship Airtank Planes Plastic litter Bubbles Sun Rocks treasure Glass Ice Suit

Evidence 2: Courtyard Ecosystem Your group will be assigned an area in the courtyard. List as many biotic and abiotic factors as you can. Write down the boundaries of your assigned ecosystem. What are the Inputs? The Outputs?

Analysis Questions 1. You’re on the beach and find a piece of driftwood. Is it biotic or abiotic? Why? 2. Is a patch of lawn an ecosystem? Explain. 3. What are some biotic & abiotic factors that would affect a plant but not a rabbit?

Summary What did you think about ecosystems before this lesson? What did you learn about ecosystems from this lesson? (Minimum of 3 sentences!!!) What are some further thoughts or questions you have about ecosystems?

Reflection

Big Idea Biodiversity is important for ecosystems to support life. Abiotic and biotic factors work together to support life.

Prairie (entry task)

All of one species ex. Dog fish All the biotic factors in a given area ex. Dog Fish, squid, crabs All the abiotic and biotic factors in a given area ex. Dog fish, squid, crabs, rocks, water Same climate features over large areas with Similar plant features ex. Artic All the ecosystems in a given area. ex. Earth Ex. One dog fish