Ecosystems: Understanding Our Natural World

What is an ecosystem?

• A group of buildings in a city

• A community of living and non-living things interacting in an environment

• A single animal living alone

• A type of weather pattern

Which of these is NOT alive, but is part of an ecosystem?

• A tree

• A bird

• A rock

• A fish

Why are plants important in an ecosystem?

• They eat animals

• They give us food and help us breathe

• They take up space

• They sleep all day

What do decomposers do in nature?

• They grow big flowers

• They break down dead plants and animals

• They build homes

• They chase other animals

What makes a healthy ecosystem?

• Only big animals live there

• Everything works together and all living things have what they need

• It rains every day

• There are no plants