ES - Ecosystem

Introduction to Ecosystems

What is an ecosystem?

• An Ecosystem is a word used to describe all the living things and nonliving things living in an area (environment).

  
  

• They all depend on each other for their survival.

  
  

• Living Things in an ecosystem are known as biotic factors.

• Nonliving Things in an ecosystem are known as abiotic factors.

Abiotic and Biotic factors

Abiotic and Biotic factors

Producers

also called as Autotrophs as they produce their own food through photosynthesis. All other organisms rely on producers for food.

Consumers

are called Heterotrophs. These are organisms that depend on other organisms for food. Consumers are further classified into primary consumers, secondary consumers and tertiary consumers.

Decomposers

include saprophytes such as fungi and bacteria. They directly thrive on the dead and decaying organic matter.  Decomposers are essential for the ecosystem as they help in recycling nutrients to be reused by plants.

Biome vs Habitat vs Ecosystem

Terrestrial Ecosystem

• Tundra

• Taiga

• Desert

• Tropical Grassland (Savanna)

• Temperate Grassland (Prairie)

• Temperate Forest

• Tropical Rainforest

Multiple Choice

Guess that biome!! This biome has a low average temperature and very little precipitation (rain). It's found in the arctic and it's dark, cold, and windy during the winter. You can find this biome in Alaska.

• Tundra

• Savanna

• Rainforest

• Taiga

That's right, it's the Tundra!

Tundra

• Climate: Low temperatures (it's cold)

• Precipitation: Very little, but lots of snow

• Animals that live here: Polar Bears, Musk Oxen, Penguins 

• Plants that grow here: Mosses, Woody Shrubs (not a lot will grow here due to the permafrost)

• Found in the Arctic

Multiple Choice

Guess that biome!! This biome has low temperatures, but more rain. Its soil is thin and unhealthy but has coniferous/evergreen trees growing there. You can find this biome in Canada, Northern Europe, and Asia.

• Tundra

• Desert

• Savana

• Taiga

Right again! It's the Taiga!

Taiga:

• Climate: Low temperatures (it's cold)

• Precipitation: Moderate

• Animals that live here: Wolves, Owls, and Elk

• Plants that grow here: Coniferous Trees

• Found in Canada, Northern Europe, and Asia

Multiple Choice

Guess that biome!! This biome has very little precipitation (rain), rocky/sandy soil, and is very hot during the day.

• Tundra

• Desert

• Savanna

• Taiga

You're on fire! It's the desert.

Deserts

• Climate: Higher temperatures (hot)

• Precipitation: very little

• Animals that live here: Camels, Scorpions, Desert Coyotes, and Snakes

• Plants that live here: cactus, palm tree

• Found in SW North America, Africa, SW Asia

Multiple Choice

Guess that biome!! This biome is a grassland but has very little or no trees. It has high average temperatures and wet and dry seasons. It can be found in Africa.

• Desert

• Savanna

• Temperate Forest

• Tundra

Amazing!! It's the Savanna (or Tropical Grassland)

Tropical Grassland (Savanna)

• Climate: High temperatures (hot)

• Precipitation: Wet and Dry Seasons

• Animals that live here: Antelope, Zebra, Lions

• Plants that grow here: grass, pine trees, boabob trees

• Can be found in Africa

Multiple Choice

Guess that biome!! This biome has a lot of grass growing there and have a very nutrient-rich soil. It can be found in the prairie region of North America.

• Taiga

• Temperate Grassland

• Tundra

• Temperate Forest

Wahoo! It's the Temperate Grassland!

Temperate Grassland or Prairie

• Climate: Average temperatures

• Precipitation: Average

• Animals that live here: Bison, Antelope, Prairie Dogs, and Coyotes

• Plants that grow here: grass, flowers

• Can be found in central North America

Temperate Forest

• Climate: Moderate/Average

• Precipitation: Average

• Animals that live here: Songbirds, Chipmunks, Black Bears, Bobcats

• Plants that grow here: Deciduous trees like Oak Trees and Maple Trees

It's the Tropical Rainforest!

Tropical Rainforest

• Climate: Warm all year

• Precipitation: LOTS

• Animals that live here: birds, monkeys, sloths, jaguars, ants, snakes

• Plants that grow here: Very tall trees, Orchids, Cocoa Trees

• Can be found in South America and Africa

Aquatic Ecosystem