1. Ecosystems
Ecosystems definition- A community of organisms (plants, animals, and microbes) co-existing with the non living or inorganic things in their environment.

2. Ecosystem Components Four Components
Abiotic- inorganic (non living) and organic (living) substances found in the habitat.
Producers- Autotrophic organisms (grow on their own i.e. algea, plants)
Consumers- Heterotrophic organisms (depend on autotrophic producers i.e. animals)
Reducers or Decomposers- Break down waste and dead tissues (i.e. fungi, bacteria)

3. Waterways are easy to see how an Ecosystem Works.
Credit:

4. If any one of the four processes change…the entire ecosystem changes!!
Ecosystem Processes
Four Processes
Water Cycle
Mineral/Nutrient Cycle
Energy Levels
Community Dynamics or Succession
If any one of the four processes change…the entire ecosystem changes!!

5. Water Cycle Also known as the hydrologic cycle Water is always moving
Water is always changing between liquid, vapor, and ice.
Availability of water affects ecosystems

6. Nutrient Cycle Nutrients made available by the decomposers.
Consumed by the producers and consumers.
Then returns to the decomposers in the form of manure, deadfall, carcass decay, etc.

7. Energy Flow in Ecosystems
Energy (heat) is required for the water and nutrient cycles to effectively function.
Must be constant
Fluctuations cause the ecosystem to have major changes
This is why
“Global Warming”
is so worrisome…or is it?

8. Community Dynamics or Succession.
Community Dynamics- How ecological community evolves over time.
Succession- What happens after a series of events.
Bare Ground =>grass
=> shrubs => trees =>
mature forest => fire =>
bare ground…the cycle
continues.