Processes within an Ecosystem

LS2 (7-8)-5 Students demonstrate an understanding of equilibrium in an ecosystem by…. 5a Identifying which biotic and abiotic factors affect a given ecosystem. 5b analyzing how biotic and abiotic factors affect a given ecosystem. 5c predicting the outcome of a given change in biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. 5d using a visual model to track population changes in an ecosystem.

Living things and the Environment Vocabulary 1.Ecosystem-All the living things that interact with each other and their environment. 2.Habitat-The place where an organism lives and that provides the things it needs. 3.Biotic factor-A living part of an ecosystem. 4.Abiotic factor-A nonliving part of an ecosystem.

Vocabulary 5.Photosynthesis-The process in which organisms use water along with sunlight and carbon dioxide to make food. 6.Species-A group of organisms that are similar and reproduce to produce fertile offspring. 7. Population-All the members of one species in a particular area. 8. Community-All the different populations that live together in an area. 9. Ecology-The study of how living things interact with each other and their environment.

Habitat An organism obtains food, water, shelter, and other things it needs to live, grow, and reproduce from its surroundings. The place where it lives is an organism’s habitat.

Ecosystem and Habitat A single ecosystem may contain many habitats. A forest ecosystem may have mushrooms growing in the soil. Rabbits live on the forest floor. Termites live under the bark.

Biotic Factors Example: Prairie Dogs Grass and plants provide seeds and berries. Hawks, ferrets, badgers, and eagles hunt prairie dogs. Worms, fungi, and bacteria live under the grass. These organisms keep the soil rich in nutrients as they break down organic matter.

Abiotic Factors Water- All organisms require water for life processes. Sunlight- Most plants and animals are dependent on sunlight (directly or indirectly) for food. Oxygen- Most organisms require oxygen to carry out respiration.

Abiotic Factors continued. Temperature- The temperatures of an area determine the types of organisms can live there. Soil-Soil is a mixture of rock, nutrients, air, water, and decaying remains of living things. Type of soil influences the kinds of plants that can grow. Many microscopic organisms live in the soil.

Populations 400 million prairie dogs in a Texas local.

All the Pigeons in New York City.

Bluegill in a pond.

Communities Communities consist of a number of populations that coexist in a certain area. Prairie dogs live in an area with grasses, badgers, snakes, and hawks.

Levels of Organization Smallest unit is a single organism. The organism belongs to a population of the same species. Different populations make up a community. The community along with abiotic factors make up an ecosystem.

Ecology As a part of their work ecologists study how organisms react to changes in their environment. Example, Praire Dog. A hawk flies overhead. A fire burns the prairie.