Intro to Ecosystems Biotic vs Abiotic Factors Is

Intro to Ecosystems Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors

Is it Living? • Key Question: What do you think an ecosystem is? • Initial Thoughts

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

What factors both living and non living will affect my life? 3 minutes To THINK 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 Daylight

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

Definitions • Biotic: Living organisms in the • • • environment, such as plants or animals. Bio- life tic- pertaining to/ of Abiotic: Non-living physical features of the environment, such as soil and water. A- not Bio- life tic- pertaining to / of

Evidence 1: Card 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 (ecosystem), name as many biotic and abiotic factors as you can. • Where do you think the ecosystem boundaries are? (Where do they 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

Group Practice In your lab group, you will create a list of abiotic and biotic factors for each ecosystem.

River Ecosystem

Abiotic Biotic

River Ecosystem Biotic roots Trees Fish Moss Bugs Branches Algae Amphibians Birds Snails Plants Animals Leaves Abiotic River/water Rocks Oxygen Sand Dirt Sun Clouds Air/atmosphere Glacier?

Ocean Ecosystem

Ocean Biotic Human Fish Barnacles Coral Snails Skeletons Shells Algae Sharks Fish eggs Squid Abiotic Octopus Whales Dolphins Mold Plankton Seaweed/Kelp Sand Water Boat Oxygen CO 2 Sunlight Rock Metal Minerals

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 • Biodiversity is important for ecosystems to support life. • Abiotic and biotic factors work together to support life.