Ecosystems

What is an Ecosystem?
• An ecosystem is made up of three parts:

• a place and its physical conditions - the biotope

• the living things that live there - the biocoenosis

• the many relationships that exist between the living things

and the place
The Biotope
• The biotope is formed by the NON-living parts of the
ecosystem.

• These include: rocks, water, air, light, the temperature, and

altitude

• Depending on the biotope, an ecosystem can be one of

three types: aquatic, land, and mixed
The Biocoenosis
• The biocoenosis is the community of living things in an
ecosystem.

• There are many different species of living things in an

ecosystem. Including both plants and animals.

• Population is the all of the living things from the same

species in an ecosystem.
Relationships in Ecosystems
• All parts of the ecosystem are related and depend on
each other.

• When there are no changes in an ecosystem, it is

balanced.

• this balance is created by the relationship between

producers (plants), consumers (animals), and
decomposers (insects)

• Without balance, it becomes more difficult for some

living things to live.
What are some parts of the
biotope in this picture?
What are some parts of the
biocoenosis in this picture?
 The Classification of
Ecosystems
• Ecosystems can be classified according to their Size

• Small - for example a small pond

• Big - for example a desert

 The Classification of
Ecosystems
• Ecosystems can be classified by their Origin

• some ecosystems are Natural, which means they

were not created by people

• other ecosystems are Artificial, which means they

were created by people

Natural Ecosystem Artificial Ecosystem

 The Classification of
Ecosystems

• Ecosystems can be classified by the characteristics of

the biotope.

• Aquatic - underwater (oceans or rivers)

• Land - not covered by water (forests or deserts)

• Mixed - aquatic and land (beaches)

 How We Alter Ecosystems

• The way many humans live causes many ecosystems

to deteriorate or be destroyed.

• Humans overexploit, or use too much of, natural

resources found in ecosystems, including plants,
animals, water, and minerals

• Sometimes, human activities can create pollution in an

ecosystem.

• This creates an imbalance in an ecosystem, which can

lead to extinction of one or many species.
 Protecting Ecosystems

• If humans can change some of their activities to be

sustainable development, ecosystems (and all the
resources they hold) will be protected.

• We must not waste the resources in ecosystems

• We can reduce pollution in our cities

 Individual Responsibility
• Individual Responsibility: we can all adopt individual
habits to help protect ecosystems

• Save water - turn off the water when brushing your

teeth

• Recycle materials

• Save energy - turn off the lights when you leave a

room

• Respect Nature
The End