Ecosystems and Habitats

Ecosystems When you walk in nature you see many things. Some of these things are alive, like animals and plants. Some of these things are not alive, like rocks, air, and water. An ecosystem is all the living and nonliving things interacting in an environment.

Habitats A habitat is the environment that meets an organism’s needs (or a home). In a habitat some needs are met by other living things. For example, a tree provides food and shelter for a woodpecker. In a habitat some needs are met by nonliving things. For example, plants need water, nutrients in the soil, carbon dioxide, and sunlight to grow.

Habitats A habitat has to provide for the organisms that live there. If there is not enough food and water animals will have to move somewhere else or they will die.

Habitats Different habitats provide the needs for different animals. A pond is a habitat for fish, frogs, and lily pads. Areas in Alaska are habitats for polar bears and arctic foxes.

Niche A niche is the role that an organism plays in its habitat.

Species A species is a group of organisms that can mate and produce offspring like themselves.

Populations All the organisms of the same species that live in the same place at the same time are a population.

Communities Populations that live in the same place at the same time make up a community.

Interactions in a community Populations within a community interact with one another. For example, sharks interact with the fish they eat. Populations also compete with each other for food and places for shelter. For example lizards and frogs both eat insects.

Questions

What is a habitat?

A habitat is the specific environment that meets an organism’s needs

What is a niche?

A niche is the role that an organism plays in its habitat