ECOSYSTEMS

Science
Unit B
Chapter 1
A system is a group of parts that
work together as a unit.

OPEN SYSTEMS CLOSED SYSTEMS

Most systems are Very few systems are
open systems. They truly closed. Most
take in things from systems receive
outside the system. inputs and give off
For example, a outputs.
terrarium takes in A diver in a
energy from the sun. submarine is in an
Why do plants need almost completely
the sun’s energy? closed system.
Explain if these systems
are open or closed.

An aquarium
a forest
a sports team
your family
an astronaunt on the Space Shuttle
an 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

POPULATIONS COMMUNITIES
A group of the same A community of an
species living in the ecosystem is made up
same place at the of all the populations
same time is a that live in the same
population. area.
Populations live in The plants and
environments to animals that live
which they are together depend on
adapted. 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

SUNLIGHT
AIR
TEMPERATURE
SOIL
WATER
 LIVING THINGS IN
ECOSYSTEMS

HABITATS NICHES
The environment that A niche is an
meets the needs of organism’s role or job
an organism is called in the environment.
a habitat. Name an organism
Read the book “A from the forest
House is a House for environment and
Me” and discuss the describe its niche in
different habitats that environment.
listed.
 LIVING THINGS

Food Chain

Niches
or
Roles

Producers Consumers Decomposers

Green plants and eat other living feed on wastes of
some protists things plants and animals or
produce their own food. for energy. on their remains after they die.
 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.