BIOTIC & ABIOTIC FACTORS

Lesson Question: How are organisms and populations affected by biotic and
abiotic factors?

MS-LS2-1 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource
availability on organisms and populations or organisms in ecosystems.
LS2.A Organisms, and populations of organisms, are dependent on their
environmental interactions both with other living things and with nonliving factors.
In an ecosystem, organisms and populations with similar requirements for food,
water, oxygen, or other resources may compete with each other for limited
resources, access to which consequently constrains their growth and production.
Growth of organisms and population increases are limited by access to resources.

Assign students to read reading passage. Sand Dune: Ecosystem at the Edge

Students create a chart in which they:

1. Name two types of sand dune ecosystems described

2. Cite examples of the important biotic and abiotic factors in each ecosystem
3. Show how the biotic and abiotic factors are interconnected

Ask students to think and write about how humans can affect biotic and abiotic
factors in sand dune ecosystems, noting cause and effect.

We will conclude by having a class discussion in which students share their findings
and explain their responses.

Alternative Directions/ Accommodations

Students with special needs will be given the same reading passage. Instead of
creating their own chart, the teacher will provide a blank chart for students to fill in
as they read. We will read together in a smaller group. We will stop together as a
group after key points in order to check for understanding. Together, we will use the
key information in order to fill in the chart they were given.