1. Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors
Intro to Ecosystems
Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors

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

3. Is it Living? /18/13
Key Question: What are some living and non-living things in the environment?
Initial Thoughts

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

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

6. Would the same factors affect this flower?

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

8. Definitions
Ecosystem: A community interacting with the non-living parts of its environment.
Biotic: Living organisms in the environment, such as plants or animals.
Abiotic: Non-living physical features of the environment, such as soil and water.

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

10. 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.

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

12. What are the Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Image?

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

14. River Ecosystem

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

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

17. Mountain Valley

18. Prairie

19. Ocean Ecosystem

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

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

22. 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?

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

24. 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?

25. Reflection

26. Big Idea
Abiotic is non-living things, and biotic is living things.