Ecosystems 4/5th Grade Science Marilyn King

An ecosystem is all living and nonliving things in an area. Ecosystems An ecosystem is all living and nonliving things in an area.

Ecosystem is derived from the Greek word oikos, for “house,” eco-is the combining form meaning “environment or habitat.”

An Ecosystem may be very small such as: A backyard A pond A playground

Some may be very large like: The deserts of Africa The rain forest of Brazil The saltwater oceans                                                                

All ecosystems have the same parts: Abiotic Factors Biotic Factors

Abiotic Factors The nonliving parts of an ecosystem. They include water, minerals, sunlight, air, climate, and soil.

Biotic Factors The living parts of an ecosystem. They include animals, plants, fungi, protists, and bacteria.

All organisms of a species living in the same area make up its population. All the populations living in an area make up a community.

Describe your own community and the population you will find there.

Focus on your school What living things do you see? What nonliving things help you survive?