Tuesday September 26 - Introduction to Ecosystems




Learning Goals:

1) Understand what an ecosystem is.
2) Explain what biotic and abiotic factors are, give examples, and explain how they influence ecosystems.
3) Understand the role of producers, consumers and decomposers in an ecosystem.
4) Explain the difference between herbivores, omnivores and carnivores.
5) Understand the terms individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome and biosphere.
6) Discuss some negative human impacts on the balance of ecosystems and suggest ways to limit this impact.

Questions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJEToQ49Yjc



1.Define, in your own words, what an ecosystem is.
2.List the most common ABIOTIC (non-living) parts of an ecosystem (at least five).
3.List the most common BIOTIC (living) elements of an ecosystem.
4.How do the ABIOTIC (non-living) factors impact the BIOTIC (living) things in a ecosystem? (Hint - 1:30)
5.What are the three main groups of living things in an ecosystem?
6.Define producer. Give at least one example.
7.What do producers make their food from?
8.What is the name of the process producers use to create their own food?
9.Define consumer.
10.The three types of consumers are called: _________, _________ and __________.
11.Define herbivore. Give one example.
12.Define carnivore. Give one example.
13.Define omnivore. Give one example.
14.Define decomposers.
15.Which two groups of organisms are the most common decomposers?
16.Explain why are decomposers important in an ecosystem.
17.Explain the difference between a population and community.
18.Organize the following terms from smallest to largest: population/species, biome, community, individual, ecosystem, biosphere.
19.Explain why the idea of “balance” in an ecosystem is so important.
20.List at least four factors that can lead to “imbalanced” ecosystems.
21.Describe at least five human activities that can lead to imbalance in ecosystems.
22.Describe at least three ways to help take care of your “local ecosystem.”

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