1. Unit A Interactions and Ecosystems

2. Overview
Ecosystems are maintained by natural processes and are impacted by human action.
Students will:
* learn that all living things depend on each other
* learn about interactions that take place in ecosystems
* investigate human impacts and consequences

3. Defining an Ecosystem & Learning about Basic Needs
An ecosystem is a biological community occurring in a specific location.
-Lethbridge
-Canada
-Schoolyard

4. Activity Take out a piece of loose left
Write Question 1: What are the basic needs of a living organism in order to survival
Write Question 2: What are some things you could do without and still have all of your basic needs?
Partners or Individual/5 minutes/Discuss

5. Definitions
Ecosystems – a system formed by interaction of a community of organisms with their environment. Ecosystems vary in size and involve groups of living and non-living things.
Biotic – a living or once living component of a community (Plants/Animals)
Abiotic – are non-living chemical and physical factors in the environment which affect ecosystems (weather)
Species: is often defined as a group or organism capable of interbreeding and producing offspring.
-Need same characteristics
- Humans/Dogs/Cats

6. Definitions Cont.
Population: the assemblage of a specific type or organism living in a given area
Community: is a group of interacting living organisms sharing a populated environment
Nutrients: providing nourishment; mineral substance that are absorbed by the roots of plants
Adaptation: any alteration in the structure or function of an organism or any of its parts results from natural selection to help better survival

9. Needs of Living Things What do all living things need to survive?
Hint: there are five of them

10. Water
Food
Energy
Oxygen
Suitable Living Conditions

11. Check and Reflect Turn to page 15
Complete the Check and Reflect for homework or in tutorial!