Ecosystems

Ecosystems

What is an ecosystem?

• An ecosystem is...
• All the organisms living in a particular area and all non-living (abiotic) conditions found there.
• Ecosystems are dynamic systems as they are constantly changing.
• An ecosystem includes both biotic and abiotic factors.
• 

Biotic Factors

• Biotic factors are living things within a ecosystem.
• Biotic factors of an ecosystem can include:
• Humans
• Disease
• Competition
• Predator/prey
• Invasive species
• 
• Caption: Duck, Duck, Goose.

Abiotic Factors

• 
• Abiotic factors are the non-living features of an ecosystem.
• Abiotic factors include:
• PH of soil
• Climate
• Temperature
• Nutrients

Food Chains

• 
• Food chains show how energy is transferred through an ecosystem.
• Energy mainly enters an ecosystem through photosynthesis in plants. Energy is transferred through the living organisms of an ecosystem.
• An organism that produces organic molecules using sunlight energy is a producer. An organism that eats other organisms is a consumer. Producers are eaten primary consumers. Primary consumers are eaten by secondary consumers. Secondary consumers are eaten by tertiary consumers.