Ecosystem

Ecosystem

​An ecosystem is a system consisting of biotic and abiotic components that function together as a unit. 

Structure of Ecosystem

​The structure of an ecosystem consists of two major components:

(1) biotic components are all of the living things with which organisms interact

(2) abiotic components non – living  and physical things

​Together, biotic and abiotic factors determine the survival and growth of an organism and productivity of the ecosystem in which an organisms live

Multiple Choice

It is a system consisting of biotic and abiotic components that function together as a unit.

• Animal

• Ecosystem

• Environment

• system

Multiple Choice

What are the two ecosystem structures?

• Abiotic and biotic

• Plants and animals

• Environment and the system

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE: The ecosystem is entirely made up of abiotic components.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE: Abiotic components include producers, consumers, herbivores, and carnivores.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE: Abiotic components include soil, air, water and sunlight.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE: Kangaroo is an example of abiotic components

• TRUE

• FALSE

​Habitat is the area where and organisms interact. A habitat has both abiotic and biotic factors

​Niche includes all of the abiotic and biotic things in an organism’s habitat and the way the organism uses those things. A niche includes what an organism eats and how it gets its food

​ Community Interactions

(1) Competition when living things try to use the same resources. Competition often results in one organism dying out.

(2) Predation occurs when an organism (the predator) captures and eats another (the prey)

(3) Symbiosis occurs when two species live close together in one of three ways.

​(3) Symbiosis occurs when two species live close together in one of three ways.

a. Mutualism: Both species benefit from the relationship.

b. Commensalism: One species benefits. The other is neither help nor harmed

c. Parasitism: One species benefits by living in or on the other. The other specie is harmed.  

Multiple Choice

It is the area where and organisms interact.

• Niche

• Habitat

• Community

• Environment

Multiple Choice

It refers to all of the abiotic and biotic things in an organism’s habitat and the way the organism uses those things

• Niche

• Habitat

• Community

• Environment

Multiple Choice

It refers to living things attempting to use the same resources.

• Competition

• Predation

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

Multiple Choice

It occurs when an organism (the predator) captures and eats another (the prey)

• Competition

• Predation

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

Multiple Choice

The relationship benefits both species.

• Competition

• Predation

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

Multiple Choice

One species benefits. The other is neither help nor harmed

• Competition

• Predation

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

​Ecological succession is the series of predictable changes that occur in a community over time

a.Primary succession takes place on bare rock surfaces where no soil exists. Pioneer species are the first species to live in these areas.

b.Secondary succession occurs when a disturbance changes a community without removing the soil

Multiple Choice

One species benefits by living in or on the other. The other specie is harmed.

• Competition

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

Types of Ecosystems

(1) Terrestrial ecosystem

is one that occurs on land. Examples of land-based ecosystems are forest ecosystems, grassland ecosystems, tundra ecosystems, and desert ecosystems.

(2) Freshwater ecosystems

are the aquatic ecosystems that do not contain saltwater. They are home to algae, plankton, insects, amphibians, and fish.

Types of Ecosystems

(3) Marine ecosystem

is an aquatic ecosystem that contains saltwater. Examples are the ecosystems in the seas and oceans. The ocean ecosystems, in particular, are an important source of atmospheric oxygen due to the vast population of autotrophic algae that release oxygen through photosynthesis.

(4) Artificial ecosystem

is a man-made system, which can be further classified as terrestrial, freshwater, or marine. An example of an artificial ecosystem is a terrarium. Many man-made ecosystems are built for conservation purposes, aesthetics, and studying biology and ecology.

Processes of the Ecosystem

Food Chain and the Flow of Energy and Nutrients

Biogeochemical or nutrient cycling

Examples of Ecosystem

​is dominated by trees that shed leaves seasonally and then regrow their leaves at the start of the new growing season. They shed leaves as an adaptive mechanism against the cold season in temperate regions or to the dry seasons of the subtropical and tropical regions. The dominant trees in mid-latitude are oaks, beeches, birches, chestnuts, aspens, elms, maples, and basswoods.