1. Components of an Ecosystem “parts of the environment”

2. Habitat  An environment that provides the things the organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce

3. Biotic  “Bio”=life  All the living and once living parts of a habitat  List 2 examples.

4. Abiotic  Prefix “A”=not, or opposite  All the non-living parts of a habitat  Water, sunlight, oxygen, temperature, soil

5. Population  All the members of one species in a particular area  All the pigeons in NYC  Prairie dog town

6. Communities  All the different populations in an area  Must be close enough to interact  Prairie dogs, ferrets, grass, hawks

7. Ecosystems  All the living organisms and non-living surroundings in an area  Prairie, forest, stream

8. Example of Hierarchy  J:\8th Grade Lessons\Ecology\prairie dogs.pdf J:\8th Grade Lessons\Ecology\prairie dogs.pdf

9. Classwork/Homework  Write about the ecosystem that the animal you researched lives in.  Include:  Abiotic factors  Biotic factors  What is in its community  What is in its ecosystem  At least 2 paragraphs!

10. Grade for homework  8 points- Includes detailed descriptions all 4 items  6 points- Includes descriptions of 3 items  4 points- Include only 2 items  2 points- Includes only 1 item  2 points- Spelling and grammar  Total= 10 points