1. 3 Laws of Nature Everything is interconnected.
Everything is always changing.
Everything must go somewhere.

2. Ecosystems
An ecosystem is an area where living things interact with the environment, functioning as an entire unit.
All ecosystems are "open" systems in the sense that energy and matter are transferred in and out.

3. Biological Organization

4. Biological Organization

5. Abiotic Parts (Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere)
Abiotic & Biotic
All ecosystems contain interacting abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) parts.
Abiotic Parts (Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere)
Climate - temperature precipitation
Soil - minerals
Landscape
Atmosphere
Water
Sun
Biotic Parts
(Biosphere)
Plants
Animals
Microbes
Fungi
Humans
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers

6. Energy Flow Through Food Chains
Producers
Consumers
Minerals
Decomposers

7. Energy for Life Photosynthesis (Plants)
Carbon dioxide + Water Glucose + Oxygen
Respiration (Animals & Plants)
Glucose + Oxygen Energy + Carbon dioxide + Water
Sun

8. Energy Pyramids
Energy Pyramid

9. Food Web – A more accurate picture

10. Symbiotic Interactions
Mutualism – both organisms benefit
Commensalism – one benefits, the other is
not harmed
Parasitism – one benefits, the other is
harmed

11. Invasive Species

12. Invasive Species
They thrive in their introduced environment because they:
have no natural enemies.
adapt well to their new habitat and find an abundance of food and shelter.
have good reproductive success.
have an extensive range of tolerance.
Hence, they have very few limiting factors.

13. Invasive Species continued…
They harm the existing ecosystem they are invading by:
out-competing native species for food and space.
upsetting the balance of interactions in the food web.
lowering the overall bio-diversity of the ecosystem since native species can eventually become extinct.
They can also become a pest to humans when they eat crops or become a nuisance in our homes, businesses and recreation areas.