What is an Ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a complex network of interactions between living organisms and their environment. It includes both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.

Components of an Ecosystem

1. Biotic components: Plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. 2. Abiotic components: Soil, water, air, sunlight, and temperature.

Types of Ecosystems

1. Terrestrial ecosystems: Forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra. 2. Aquatic ecosystems: Oceans, lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Ecological Relationships

1. Predation: One organism (predator) hunts and consumes another organism (prey). 2. Mutualism: Both organisms benefit from the relationship. 3. Commensalism: One organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. 4. Parasitism: One organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (host).

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

1. Producers (plants) convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. 2. Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores) obtain energy by consuming other organisms. 3. Decomposers break down dead organisms and waste, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Human Impact on Ecosystems

1. Habitat destruction: Deforestation, urbanization, and pollution. 2. Invasive species: Introduction of non-native species that disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. 3. Climate change: Alters temperature, precipitation patterns, and sea levels, affecting ecosystems worldwide.

[Ecosystems] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• What are Ecosystems?Science • Third Grade
• Energy and ecosystemsScience • Fifth Grade