ECOSYSTEMS

A system is a group of parts that work together as a unit.

OPEN SYSTEMSMost systems are

open systems. They take in things from outside the system. For example, a terrarium takes in energy from the sun.

Why do plants need the sun’s energy?

CLOSED SYSTEMSVery few systems

are truly closed. Most systems receive inputs and give off outputs.

A diver in a submarine is in an almost completely closed system.

Explain if these systems are open or closed.

An aquariuma foresta sports teamyour familyan astronaunt on the Space Shuttlean automobile

Stability

Stability comes from the word stable. The suffix “ity” forms nouns from adjectives and means “the condition or quality of”.

Stability in systems means that over time the changes in a system cancel each other out. For example if something is added, it is later taken out.

The system must remain in balance.How does the grass in your yard remain

stable?

Predict how this tool would help keep your yard stable.

What are the inputs in a yard system?

What are the outputs in a yard system?

A system that is in balance is said to have what?

Ecosystems

Groups of living things and the environment they live in make up an ecosystem.

Some ecosystems include forests, ponds, and streams.

Explain how some organisms can live in different ecosystems.

TYPES OF ECOSYSTEMS

POPULATIONSA group of the same

species living in the same place at the same time is a population.

Populations live in environments to which they are adapted.

COMMUNITIESA community of an

ecosystem is made up of all the populations that live in the same area.

The plants and animals that live together depend on each other to survive.

ACTIVITY

Organize charts that compare how your needs are met in your community to how plants’ and animals’ needs are met in their community.

ANALYZE THIS!

Sometimes plants and animals are introduced into ecosystems that are not native to the ecosystem.

Can you name a plant or animal that lives in an ecosystem that you are familiar with and is not native to that ecosystem?

Predict what might happen if an animal from the jungle were introduced into a forest ecosystem.

NONLIVING PARTS OF AN ECOSYSTEM

SUNLIGHTAIRTEMPERATURESOILWATER

LIVING THINGS IN ECOSYSTEMS

HABITATSThe environment

that meets the needs of an organism is called a habitat.

Read the book “A House is a House for Me” and discuss the different habitats listed.

NICHESA niche is an

organism’s role or job in the environment.

Name an organism from the forest environment and describe its niche in that environment.

LIVING THINGS

F ood C h a in

P rod u cersG reen p lan ts an d

som e p ro tis tsp rod u ce th e ir ow n food .

C on su m ersea t o th er livin g

th in g sfo r en erg y.

D ecom p osersfeed on was tes o f

p lan ts an d an im a ls o ron th e ir rem ain s a fte r th ey d ie .

N ich esor

R o les

SUMMARY

An environment that meets the needs of an organism is called a habitat.

An organism’s niche is its role within that habitat.

As organisms carry out their roles, they can affect both living and nonliving parts of that ecosystem.