Abiotic and Biotic Factors

Biotic Factor

Bio means life.

Biology – study of life

Biosphere – life ball

So, a BIOTIC FACTOR is a living part of an ecosystem!

What are the BIOTIC FACTORS in this ecosystem?

Abiotic Factor A means not / without

Anonymous – without a name

Atheist – not believing in God

So, an ABIOTIC FACTOR is a non-living part of an ecosystem

What are the ABIOTIC FACTORS in this ecosystem?

Abiotic and Biotic factors can also change an ecosystem

How can ABIOTIC FACTORS change? Climate: Temperature, humidity, weather can all change from

season to season or over many years Water: Floods and droughts can change the amount of water Soil: Soil can be eroded, washed away or changed in other ways

How can BIOTIC FACTORS change? A new species can enter an ecosystem A population can grow in number, sometimes dramatically An existing species can leave, migrate, or go extinct

Unintended Consequences An unintended consequence is something you didn’t expect

to happen.

When a new ABIOTIC or BIOTIC factors are introduced into an ecosystem, there are often many unintended consequences.

Examples: Sinking of ships in shallow watersProhibition of alcohol in 1920’s

Invasive Species

An invasive species is an organism from a different part of the world that has been introduced into the ecosystem.

Invasive species are often very successful in their new environment. They do so well that they push out other organisms and disrupt the ecosystem

Invasive species are usually introduced into a new environment by humans, either by accident or on purpose.

Pop Quiz Is an invasive species an Abiotic or a Biotic factor? Why?

Was the DDT that killed the California Condors abiotic or biotic?

The Rocky Mountain Pine Beetle

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2008/11/18/science/1194833211431/america-s-disappearing-forests.html?scp=1

The Rocky Mountain Pine Beetle

What is an epidemic?

Which tree does the Pine Beetle attack?

What are two causes for the Pine Beetle outbreak?

Name 2 unintended consequences of the Pine Beetle epidemic?

Do you think that the Pine Beetle epidemic is caused

by ABIOTIC or BIOTIC factors?

Pair and Share

Read your article and answer the questions on your activity sheet.

Then, summarize your article to your partner.

Write down some notes about the invasive species your partner read about

Finally, brainstorm some ways of stopping these invasive species with your partner

Exit Slip

1. What is an invasive species? Give an example.

2. Explain the difference between an abiotic and a biotic factor. Give an example of each.