Intro to Ecosystems

Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors

Biodiversity

• The variety of organisms a specific environment or on earth.

• Key Question: What are some living and non-living things in the environment?

• Initial Thoughts

Is it Living? 9/18/13

What factors both living and non living will affect my life?

3 minutes ToTHINK PAIR SHARE

Factors affecting mouse

• Predators

• Food

• Shelter

• Temperature

• Weather

• Competitors

• Pathogens

• Parasites

• Clean Water

Would the same factors affect this flower?

Factors Affecting Plant

• Predators

• Food

• Shelter

• Temperature

• Weather

• Competitors

• Pollinators

• Soil

• Nutrients

• Wind

• Aspect

• Daylight

Definitions

• Ecosystem: A community interacting with the non-living parts of its environment.

• Biotic: Living organisms in the environment, such as plants or animals.

• Abiotic: Non-living physical features of the environment, such as soil and water.

Evidence 1: Card Sort

Sort the cards into 3 columns. Record your answers in a table like below:

Biotic Abiotic Unsure (or both/can’t

agree)

Evidence: Sort contd…

• Look at those that are in the unsure column. Why were those confusing?

• Write down the rule that you used to decide if something is biotic or abiotic.

Let’s Practice!

• For each picture, name as many biotic and abiotic factors as you can for each ecosystem

• Where do you think the ecosystem boundaries are? (Where does it begin and end?)

What are the Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Image?

Check yourself

Biotic

Trees, cactus, shell, scorpion, grass/seaweed

Abiotic

Sun, clouds, sand, water, ice, snow

River Ecosystem

River EcosystemBiotic Abiotic

River/water

Rocks

Oxygen

Sand

Dirt

Sun

Clouds

Air/atmosphere

Glacier?

River EcosystemBiotic

Moss

Trees

Algae

Bacteria

Fish

Frogs

Squirrels

Twigs, Leaves, debris

Dead animals

Micro-organisms

Birds

Insects

Abiotic

Sand

Water

Dirt

Rocks

Sun

Oxygen

Bubbles

Clouds

Gold

Mud

Ocean Ecosystem

OceanBiotic Abiotic

Sand

Water

Boat

Oxygen

CO2

Sunlight

Rock

Metal

Minerals

OceanBiotic

Bacteria

Co2

Coral

Corpses

Fish

Scuba diver

Whales

Seaweed

Aquatic plants

Sea urchins

Blood

Abiotic

Sand

Ship

Airtank

Planes

Plastic litter

Bubbles

Sun

Rocks

treasure

Glass

Ice

Suit

Evidence 2: Courtyard Ecosystem• Your group will be assigned an area in the

courtyard.

• List as many biotic and abiotic factors as you can.

• Write down the boundaries of your assigned ecosystem.

• What are the Inputs? The Outputs?

Analysis Questions

1. You’re on the beach and find a piece of driftwood. Is it biotic or abiotic? Why?

2. Is a patch of lawn an ecosystem? Explain.

3. What are some biotic & abiotic factors that would affect a plant but not a rabbit?

Summary

What did you think about ecosystems before this lesson?

What did you learn about ecosystems from this lesson? (Minimum of 3 sentences!!!)

What are some further thoughts or questions you have about ecosystems?

Reflection

Big Idea

• Abiotic is non-living things, and biotic is living things.