Overview of Ecosystems Vocabulary

Learning Goals:

1.) We can identify biotic elements in an ecosystem.

2.) We can identify abiotic elements in an ecosystem.

3.) We can describe the interaction between biotic and abiotic elements in an ecosystem.

i.) Biotic

ii.) Abiotic

iii.) Producer

iv.) Consumer

Terms:

v.) Decomposer

vi.) Herbivore

vii.) Omnivore

viii.) Carnivore

A biotic element is a living thing that shapes an ecosystem.

Examples of biotic elements that can be found in ecosystems include producers, consumers and decomposers.

An abiotic element is a non-living thing.

Examples of abiotic elements that can be found in ecosystems include water, sunlight and temperature. They can also include rocks and soil.

Producer

a living thing that produces its own energy.

The most common example of a producer is plants. Plants convert the energy from photosynthesis into food. Plants then use this energy to help them grow. Other animals use the energy produced by plants for food.

Consumer

a living thing that consumes energy produced by producer.

The most common example of a consumer is animals. Animals depend upon producers for food. They might even consumer other consumers, if they are carnivores, rather than herbivores.

decomposer

a living thing that breaks down chemicals from producers and consumers.

Common examples of decomposers include fungi and bacteria. Decomposers break down usually dead producers and consumers into a simpler form that can be reused.

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