1. Abiotic and Biotic Factors

2. Biotic Factor Bio means life.
Biology – study of life
Biosphere – life ball
So, a BIOTIC FACTOR is a living part of an ecosystem!

3. What are the BIOTIC FACTORS in this ecosystem?

4. Abiotic Factor A means not / without
Anonymous – without a name
Atheist – not believing in God
So, an ABIOTIC FACTOR is a non-living part of an ecosystem

5. What are the ABIOTIC FACTORS in this ecosystem?

6. Abiotic and Biotic factors can also change an ecosystem
How can ABIOTIC FACTORS change?
Climate: Temperature, humidity, weather can all change from season to season or over many years
Water: Floods and droughts can change the amount of water
Soil: Soil can be eroded, washed away or changed in other ways
How can BIOTIC FACTORS change?
A new species can enter an ecosystem
A population can grow in number, sometimes dramatically
An existing species can leave, migrate, or go extinct

7. Unintended Consequences
An unintended consequence is something you didn’t expect to happen.
When a new ABIOTIC or BIOTIC factors are introduced into an ecosystem, there are often many unintended consequences.
Examples: Sinking of ships in shallow waters
Prohibition of alcohol in 1920’s

8. Invasive Species
An invasive species is an organism from a different part of the world that has been introduced into the ecosystem.
Invasive species are often very successful in their new environment. They do so well that they push out other organisms and disrupt the ecosystem
Invasive species are usually introduced into a new environment by humans, either by accident or on purpose.

9. Pop Quiz Is an invasive species an Abiotic or a Biotic factor? Why?
Was the DDT that killed the California Condors abiotic or biotic?

10. The Rocky Mountain Pine Beetle
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11. The Rocky Mountain Pine Beetle
What is an epidemic?
Which tree does the Pine Beetle attack?
What are two causes for the Pine Beetle outbreak?
Name 2 unintended consequences of the Pine Beetle epidemic?

12. Do you think that the Pine Beetle epidemic is caused by ABIOTIC or BIOTIC factors?

13. Pair and Share
Read your article and answer the questions on your activity sheet.
Then, summarize your article to your partner.
Write down some notes about the invasive species your partner read about
Finally, brainstorm some ways of stopping these invasive species with your partner

14. Exit Slip 1. What is an invasive species? Give an example.
2. Explain the difference between an abiotic and a biotic factor. Give an example of each.