ECOSYSTEMSCHAPTER 10

WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM? An ecosystem is all the living things

and nonliving things in a given area Examples of ecosystems:

• Forests, deserts, grasslands, rivers, beaches, and coral reefs

Abiotic Vs. Biotic Factors Abiotic factors: the nonliving parts of

an ecosystem• Ex. Sunlight, temperature, air, water, soil

Biotic factors: the living OR once-living things in an ecosystem• Ex. Bacterium, dead organisms(fallen

leaves), decayed plant matter in soil, people, animals, trees, etc

Parts of an Ecosystem Habitat: the place within an ecosystem

that provides food, water, shelter, and other biotic and abiotic factors that an organism needs to survive and reproduce

Population: All the organisms of the same species that live in the same area at the same time

Community: ALL of the populations living in the SAME area at the SAME time

Too Many Fish in the Sea? How can you determine if an area contains

too much of something? You could calculate the population

density!

Population Density: the size of a population compared to the amount of space available• POPULATION DENSITY: number of individuals unit area or volume of space

Relationships Within Ecosystems

How does a niche differ from a habitat?

A habitat is a PLACE within an ecosystem that provides abiotic and biotic factors that an organism needs to survive and reproduce.

A niche is the WAY a species interacts with abiotic and biotic factors to obtain the needs to survive

Relationships within an ecosystem continued….

Competition: describes the demand for resources such as food, water, and shelter, in short supply in a community.

** Competition limits population size

Overpopulation: occurs when a population becomes so large that it causes damage to the environment

Relationships within Ecosystems

Predation: the act of one organism, a predator, feeding on another organism, its prey.

Ex. Dragonfly capturing a fly-Dragonfly is the ???? And Fly is the????

Symbiosis: a close, long term relationship between two species that usually involves an exchange

3 Types of Symbiosis Mutualism: a relationship in which both

organisms benefit

Commensalism: a relationship in which ONE organism benefits but NEITHER is harmed

Parasitism: relationship in which ONE organism benefits and the other is harmed

Matter & Energy in Ecosystems Producer: An organism that uses the sun to

produce its own food…ex. Plant

Consumer: An organism that cannot make their own food. Consumers obtain food by eating producers and other consumers… ex. Humans

Food Chain: A model that shows the flow of energy in an ecosystem through feeding relationships

Food Web: a model that shows the transfer of energy in food chains and communities that are interconnected

Design Your Own Ecosystem

REMEMBER! You are envisioning this ecosystem in your own head…

Some things to think about: • What biotic and abiotic factors can you

assemble to create a functioning ecosystem?• What types of organisms could live in your

ecosystem? (You will NEED to research this)• Would it be aquatic(water)? Terrestrial(land)?• What needs would have to be met for your

organisms in your ecosystem to survive?• What would your ecosystem look like?

Imagine and write about it!

IDEAS FOR YOUR ECOSYSTEM

DRAWING/ILLUSTRATION WITH EXPLANATIONS

MODEL (SHOEBOX?)

POWERPOINT WITH PICTURES/ILLUSTRATIONS

***YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PRESENTING AND EXPLAINING

DUE MONDAY, MARCH 4TH

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY, FEB 27TH

RESEARCH ABIOTIC AND BIOTIC FACTORS THAT COULD LIVE IN YOUR ECOSYSTEM. EXPLAIN WHY/HOW THEY SURVIVE THERE.

***QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROJECT ARE PAGE 338 & 339