Ecosystems

Interactions of Organisms

I can define a population as a group of organisms (plants or animals) of the same species living in a particular area at a particular time.

I can define a community as populations of organisms living in a general area.

I can define an ecosystem as an area whose communities are determined by the environmental conditions of the area.

I can distinguish between populations, communities, and ecosystems.

I can describe some local or regional populations, communities, and ecosystems of Michigan – forests, wetlands, and lakes.

I can explain that the Earth supports diverse populations.

Biotic and Abiotic Factors

I can identify the living (biotic) and the nonliving (abiotic) components of an ecosystem.

I can identify the biotic factors that may influence changes in populations (for example, invasive species).

I can identify the abiotic factors that may influence changes in populations (for example, temperature and rainfall).

Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers

I can identify producers as organisms (like plants) that obtain their food by trapping light energy to make food and supply their energy needs, photosynthesis.

I can identify consumers as organisms (like animals, including humans) that obtain their food directly from another organism by eating it or being a parasite on or in it.

I can identify decomposers as organisms that use plants and animals as well as animal waste products as their food source (like bacteria and fungi). They also release chemicals into the soil and water to break down these materials which allows them to take in small particles and release minerals back to the environment to be recycled into plants.

I can classify plants, animals (including humans), bacteria and fungi based on their source of energy into the categories producer, consumer, and decomposer.

I can explain that consumers obtain their energy directly from another organism by eating it or being a parasite on or in it.

I can explain that decomposers obtain their energy as they play a more fundamental role in the process of decomposition and nutrient recycling. Other decomposers help decomposition by breaking down larger particles of organic matter.

Energy Flow and Roles

In the above image, the arrows are not a food web, but a thinking map. In a food web, the arrows point, from the producers to the consumers, in the direction the energy flows!!

Environmental Impact of Organisms

I can identify humans as part of ecosystems.

I can describe examples of how humans can intentionally destroy ecosystems (by building cities or roads, deforestation, or by filling wetlands).

I can describe examples of how humans can accidentally destroy ecosystems (by introducing invasive species or raising average global temperatures).

I can describe the possible consequences of overpopulation of organisms in an ecosystem.

I can describe the possible consequences of human overpopulation on species extinction, resource depletion, climate change, and pollution.

I can explain how overpopulation of invasive species often displaces native species, possibly leading to localized extinction.