Characteristics of Ecological SystemsUNIT FIVE, LESSON 5.1

BY MARGIELENE D. JUDAN

LESSON OUTLINELevels of Biological Organization: Focus on Ecology (Review)

Ecosystem

Life is complex, yet it is organized.

AtomMolecule

OrganelleCell

TissueOrgan

Organ System

OrganismPopulation

CommunityEcosystem

Biosphere

(usually lifeless but essential to formation of life)

(mostly living)

PopulationCommunity

EcosystemBiosphereBut on this unit,

we will focus our study on ecological systems.

1. Population

Definition Examples

A group of organisms of the same species, living in the same area

Coyotes in Yosemite Nat. Park, dogs in Baesa

Atom > Molecule > Organelle > Cell > Tissue > Organ > Organ System > Organism > Population > Community > Ecosystem >Biosphere

2. Community

Definition Examples

The interacting,living populations, that live in the same area

All the populations (plants, animals, fungi, bacteria) in Yosemite

Atom > Molecule > Organelle > Cell > Tissue > Organ > Organ System > Organism > Population > Community > Ecosystem >Biosphere

3. Ecosystem

Definition ExamplesA community of living organisms,and their non-living parts of the environment (energy, soil, etc.)

The Yosemite community plus its energy, soil, etc.

Atom > Molecule > Organelle > Cell > Tissue > Organ > Organ System > Organism > Population > Community > Ecosystem >Biosphere

4. Biosphere or ecosphere

Definition ExamplesThe zone of life on planet Earth. The sum of all ecosystems on Earth; largest ecosystem

The earth’s biosphere (it’s the only biosphere yet discovered)

Atom > Molecule > Organelle > Cell > Tissue > Organ > Organ System > Organism > Population > Community > Ecosystem > Biosphere

ComparisonPopulation same species + same area

Community different species + same area

Ecosystem different species + same area + non-living things

Biosphere all ecosystems (earth)

Example: Area - HousePopulation same species + same area

Population of rats, population of ants, population of humans

Community different species + same area

All the rats, ants, insects, and people in the house

Ecosystem different species + same area + non-living things

All the rats, ants, insects, people, non-living things like cabinet, cooking utensils, etc. at home.

Recitation: Classify whether it is a population, community, or an ecosystem.1. An aquarium filled with goldfish, koi, plants and rocks.

Answer: Ecosystem (An ecosystem consists of both living and non-living things)

Recitation: Classify whether it is a population, community, or an ecosystem.2. A species of rabbits in a cage

Answer: Population (A population is composed of the same species in the same area)

Recitation: Classify whether it is a population, community, or an ecosystem.3. All my pets (fishes, dogs, cats) in our house.

Answer: Community (A community consists of different species living in the same area. It cannot be a population since there are different species living in the area like fishes, dogs and cats)

Recitation: Classify whether it is a population, community, or an ecosystem.4. The zoo.

Answer: Ecosystem (An ecosystem consists of both living and non-living things. In the zoo, we can see different species of animals as well as non-living things like rocks, soil, etc.)

Recitation: Classify whether it is a population, community, or an ecosystem.5. Different plants in the park.

Answer: Community (A community consists of different species of living things including plants. It is not an ecosystem, although the park is mentioned, because only the plants are being referred to)

Recitation: Classify whether it is a population, community, or an ecosystem.6. A farm

Answer: Ecosystem (A farm consists of both living and non-living things like wheat, snails, soil, water, and sunlight)

The environment

consists of living and non-living

things.

Living things are called biotic

factors.

Non-living things are

called abiotic factors.

A habitat is any place where an organism

lives.

In a habitat, there can be

many populations

living.

For example, in a savannah, we

could see a population of

plants, elephants, and giraffes living.

In our biosphere (earth), there are a variety of smaller functional units called ecological

system. Examples are lake, forest,

grassland, savannah, tundra,

etc.

Conditions for a stable, self-sustaining, and self-regulating ecosystem:1. There is a constant supply of energy (via sun, food, etc.)

2. There is a living system capable of incorporating this energy into organic compounds (ex. plants, bacteria)

3. There is a living system capable of passing this energy from one organism to another (ex. plants, animals)

4. It carries the recycling of materials between the living and non-living components of the environment (ex. decomposers)

Can you guess what is the largest ecosystem aside from the

biosphere?

The oceans! Oceans occupy

more than three-fourths of the

earth’s surface. There are 700,000

to 1 million species living in

the oceans.

Different population

occupy the same area and live

there successfully

because each of them fills an

specific niche.

Niche pertains to the role of the organism

in the community.

It includes how and where they

eat, live, etc.

Imagine what would have happened if humans were the

only living organisms on earth.

We would die! Every living thing needs other living things to live. We need plants for

oxygen and animals for food,

etc. That’s called a symbiotic

relationship.

As a young citizen of the country, do you know what is

your niche?

Differentiated Summative Assessment Task: By groupRefer to pp. 184-185, product 3.

You’re going to make a poster promoting environmental awareness

Instead of using an LCD projector, bring your original artwork to the class next week.

You also need to post your artwork on Facebook.

50% of the criteria will come from the rubric on p.185, and another 50% for the number of likes on Facebook.

Total number of points = 40 pts

Differentiated Summative Assessment Task: By groupRubric for Facebook likes

Number of Likes Points

More than 400 20 pts

301 to 400 18 pts

251 to 300 16 pts

201 to 250 14 pts

151 to 200 12 pts

150 and below 10 pts

Differentiated Summative Assessment Task: By groupYou can post as early as tomorrow.

The total number of likes will be counted as of 9 PM on October 11 (Sunday).

Remember, 20 pts will come from the rubric on p. 185, another 20 pts on the Facebook Rubric.

Sources:Science Links 7

http://www.sciencemusicvideos.com/structure-and-function-levels-of-biological-organization-worksheet/

http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/successn/intro.htm