Ecosystems Herndon

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.

Niche How a certain species meets its needs for food and shelter, how and where it survives, and where it reproduces

Habitat Where an organism lives out its life Where you live

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

Questions What living things do you see? Give several examples of biotic and abiotic factors in a forest ecosystem Compare and Contrast the Characteristics of populations and communities Give examples that would demonstrate the difference between the terms niche and habitat What nonliving things help you survive?