1. Unit: Ecology Chapter 11: Ecosystems and Biomes
Chapter 12: Interactions Within Ecosystems
11.1:Ecosystems support life
11.2: Matter cycles through ecosystems
11.3: Energy flows through ecosystems
11.4: Biomes contain many ecosystems

2. Concept Overview Temperature can vary from place to place
1. It surrounds all living things
2. All living organisms need it
3. It gives Earth most of its energy
A. organism
B. energy
C. the ocean
D. environment
E. the sun
1. d, 2. b, 3. e

3. Living things depend on the environment
Ecology: the scientific study of how organisms interact with their environment and all the other organisms that live in that environment
Ecosystem: describes a particular environment and all the living things that are supported by it
Ex: pond, desert
Important: how the living parts of the ecosystem relate to the nonliving parts

4. Living things depend on the environment
Pond:
Biotic factors: living parts
water, fish, plants in and around, animals feed on the plants, fish feed on microorganisms in the water
Abiotic factors: nonliving parts
Air (carbon dioxide and oxygen), soil (nutrients), water, sunlight

5. Biotic factors interact with an ecosystem
Living things depend upon an ecosystem, and also have an impact on the ecosystem in which they live
Plants (biotic) affect biotic and abiotic parts of ecosystems
Biotic:
An important source of food – help determine types of animals that can live there
Abiotic:
affect temperature by blocking sunlight
Roots hold soil in place
Photosynthesis - Carbon dioxide and oxygen
Animals (biotic) affect ecosystems
Ex: beaver builds a dam which changes the flow of a river and affects the surrounding landscape
Ex: herds of cattle can overgraze a grassland – causing soil erosion, and climate impacts
Ex: corals form giant reefs that provide food and shelter for marine organisms
Other examples?

6. Many abiotic factors affect ecosystems
Physical parts:
You can see or feel: temperature, rainfall, water level, sunlight, etc.
Chemical parts:
Minerals and compounds in the soil and water
Fresh/salty water
Abiotic factors determine what organisms the ecosystem will support

8. Abiotic Factor: Temperature
Affects types of plants that will do will in an ecosystem, which determines the types of animals that can live there
Ex: Rainforest: temperatures affect the plants that can grow and support a variety of monkeys, birds, and others
Ex: musk oxen have at hick coat of fur for survival in very cold environments (-40F), water buffalo has a light coat better for warmer temperatures

9. Abiotic: Light Sunlight and temperature are related
Sunlight is also used for energy: photosynthesis
The food from plants supports almost all other living things on Earth
Strength and amount of sunlight are important
Desert: cacti can survive where sunlight is strong
Forest: mosses and ferns do well with less light
Ocean Ecosystems: deeper water, less light
Photosynthesis only performed to the first hundred meters below the surface

10. Euphotic (or photic) zone - the depth of the water in a lake or ocean, that is exposed to sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis to occur.

11. Abiotic: Soil Soil: mixture of small rock and minerals
Organisms in the soil can break down the remains of dead plants and animals
This decay provides important raw materials to living plants and animals
Soil types vary and affect plant growth
Lots of decaying, or organic, matter: holds water well and allows air to reach plant roots
Sandy soil holds water poorly
Clay soil: small packed particles, does not aerate well
Minerals

12. Abiotic: Water
“All living things need water to carry out life processes”
Plants need water for photosynthesis
Animals need water to digest food and release energy stored in the food
Desert Oasis: forms when underground water comes to the surface
Ecosystesm with lots of water can support a large number of different types of plants, which in turn support a variety of types of animals
Rainforest vs desert
* “the types and number of living things in a land ecosystem will always be related to the amount of fresh water available for its inhabitants”