CHAPTER 12 ECOLOGICAL ROLES LESSON 1 ABIOTIC BIOTIC

CHAPTER 12 ECOLOGICAL ROLES LESSON 1: ABIOTIC & BIOTIC FACTORS Objective: To know that living and nonliving factors, such as air, water, sunlight, and soil, interact in Earth’s ecosystems.

What is an Ecosytem? AN ECOSYSTEM…. Consists of living things, called organisms, and the physical place they live. Ex: Coral reefs, woodlands, and ponds.

Abiotic Factors NON LIVING PARTS OF AN ECOSYSTEM. THE SUN: Most life depends on its energy, which is an abiotic factor. Without it, Earth would be a frozen wasteland Temperature is one of the abiotic factors that affects plant growth. CLIMATE: The Sun influences climate. Remember that climate is a pattern of weather that occur over many years and can change day to day.

Abiotic Factors continued…. THE WATER CYCLE Water is important all life on Earth. Water helps organisms absorb nutrients and is important in getting rid of an organism’s waste. More organisms survive in places with a lot of water. In the water cycle, water moves from Earth to the atmosphere and back.

SOIL: AN ABIOTIC FACTOR CONTAINING MINERALS THAT CAN AFFECT THE CHEMISTRY OF THE SOIL. Dead plants and animals decay in the soil and provide nutrients for other plants, called hummus Hummus helps hold water in soil. AIR: IF AIR DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH OXYGEN, HUMANS AND OTHER ORGANISMS CANNOT SURVIVE. Many organisms use oxygen to help their cells release energy. Some organisms take oxygen from air and release carbon dioxide (CO 2).

Biotic Factors LIVING PARTS OF AN ECOSYSTEM. Every organism in an ecosystem depends on other organisms. Species: group of organisms that share similar characteristics and can reproduce among themselves to produce fertile offspring. Populations: In ecosystems, it refers to all organisms of that species living in a given location. Communities: All populations of species occupying an area.

Limiting Factors An environmental factor that limits how large a population can grow. If populations get too large, competition for resources (food and water) will cause some individuals to die. Limiting factors can change over time. Food: Can change a population if there is plenty or scarce. Water: All living things need water. Some have adapted to life with little water to survive.

Limiting Factors continued… Shelter: Is important for protection from abiotic factors and predators. Space: All organisms need space to live and grow.