What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem consists of the plants and animals of an area, and all the things which make up their surroundings – like soil, water and air. It can be a small area such as a pond; a medium sized area such as a wood; or a large area such as the earth itself.

An ecological system (Ecosystem) is a natural system which involves the interaction of living things with their environment.

Animals

Soils

Vegetation

People

Climate

Soils People

Plants

Climate/Atmosphere

Animals

Soils People

Plants

Climate/Atmosphere

Animals

Ecosystems Concept Map

Soils People

Plants

Climate/Atmosphere

Animals

Ecosystems Concept Map

Weathering breaks dow

n rocks – into soil

Plants need heat

Components of an ecosystem• Abiotic – the non living

factors of an ecosystem – geology, water and soils

• Producers or Autotrophs – organisms which manufacture their own food eg green plants make their own food using the sun’s energy

• Consumers or Heterotrophs - organisms that cannot make their own food – they must obtain energy from other animals and organisms

• Decomposers – organisms that break down other organisms (eg Bacteria)

Being a Consumer/Heterotroph!

• Herbivore – Eats only plants (Primary)

• Detrivore – Eats dead plants and animals

• Carnivore – Eats other animals (Secondary)

• Omnivore – Eats both plants and animals

Food Chains!

Oak Leaf

Producer

Caterpillar

Herbivore

Hawk

Carnivore

Thrush

Carnivore

Food Webs

Links in Ecosystems

LINK 1 – Food Chains and Webs

This shows a food web in a woodland area.

What would happen if the RABBITS were removed from the ecosystem?

BIOMASS Weight of living

material (plants and organisms)

LITTERSurface layer of

vegetation

SOIL

Trees and Organisms die. Leaves Fall

Nutrients Taken up by Plants

Nutrients released As plants and leaves Decompose

Some additional nutrientsAdded by weathering of parent rock

Some nutrients lost due to leaching

The Nutrient Cycle