An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. All the living and nonliving things in an ecosystem are interdependent and work together to form a functional unit. Ecosystems exist at all scales, from small backyard gardens to large biomes like the African savanna. When a new organism is introduced or a disruption like a fire or storm occurs, it can destabilize the ecosystem by disrupting existing relationships between organisms.

1. Ecosystems
A look inside an animal’s neighborhood

2. Ecosystems
• An ecosystem is an interaction
between plants, animals,
microorganisms, and their
environment.
• All things in an
ecosystem, living
and nonliving, work
together to be
one functional unit.

3. Where are ecosystems?
• Ecosystems are everywhere!
• They can be as BIG as the Savanna in Africa!
Lions, gazelles, bonsai trees,
and shrubs all play a part in the
savanna ecosystem.

4. Where are ecosystems?
• Ecosystems can even be as small as a
garden in your back yard!
Grab a pen and paper!
Write down what kinds
of living and nonliving
things you think make
up an ecosystem in a
garden.

5. Ecosystems
• All living organisms in an ecosystem
depend on each other for survival.
• This means these organisms are
Everything is
connected in
an ecosystem.
interdependent.
To find out
more Click
HERE!
• Think of what would
happen to the birds
that live in the trees
in your yard if all
the worms in your
yard disappeared?

6. Ecosystem Facts
• Each component of an ecosystem
is a source of food for another.
• For example- In an arctic
oceanic ecosystem, seaweed
depends on the sunlight so
it can produce its own food.
Seals depend on the
seaweed for food, and orcas
depend on the seals for
food.

7. What is a healthy ecosystem?
• Scientists will call a healthy
ecosystem a sustainable ecosystem.
• This means there is a balance
between each of the components
in an ecosystem.
• This picture traces the balance
between the living things in a
woodland ecosystem.
To find out more about healthy ecosystems, click HE

8. Disruptions in Ecosystems
• Disruptions in ecosystems can be disastrous.
• Natural disasters like fires, tornados, and
hurricanes can ruin a whole ecosystem.
Think of what your family would have to do if a fire burned down
your house. Plants and animals also have to find and build new
homes too!

9. Foreign Invaders
• A foreign invader is a
new species introduced
into an ecosystem.
• Foreign plants and
animals can disrupt an
ecosystem also.
The cane toad is a famous
foreign invader of Australia.

10. Foreign Invaders Cont’d
• If a new species is
introduced into an
ecosystem, they can
upset the healthy
balance that
ecosystem once had.
What if a new species of jungle cat was
introduced into the rainforest? There would be
more competition for the black panther to find
food. This may result in the extinction of the
black panther.

11. Ecosystems
All living and
nonliving things are
involved in one
ecosystem or
another. All
organisms are
responsible for
their role in their
ecosystem. Our
ecosystem lesson
will move us into
our biome lesson
next week!

12. GLCE’s Used
• Ecosystems
• K-7 Standard L.EC: Develop an understanding of the
interdependence of the variety of populations, communities
and ecosystems, including those in the Great Lakes region.
Develop an understanding of different types of
interdependence and that biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living)
factors affect the balance of an ecosystem. Understand that all
organisms cause changes, some detrimental and others
beneficial, in the environment where they live.
• L.EC.E.1 Interactions- Organisms interact in various ways
including providing food and shelter to one another. Some
interactions are helpful; others are harmful to the organism and
other organisms.

13. Works Cited
• "Fourth Grade Science Grade Level
Content Expectations V.1.09." Michigan
Department of Education, 2009. Web. 14
Mar. 2010.

14. Pictures Cited
FROG-
http://bealbio.wikispaces.com/file/view/frog-on-plant-fingers-bulging-eyes-swiss-photographer-thomas-marent-rainforest-foundation-amazon-a
DIAGRAM-http://www.fws.gov/invasives/volunteersTrainingModule/images/invasives/ecosystem.jpg
BIRD AND WORM-http://api.ning.com/files/3r7tiGWsPn-gVbKOiB*Ya63x84hwvi8iSWOdsxXP1Cg_/bird_and_worm.jpg
ORCA- http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/IMAGES/Washington/orca_seaworld-380.jpg
LION-http://onlynatural.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/800px-male_lion_on_savanna.jpg
GARDEN-http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e209/ilovebugs123/25e41f81.jpg
DIAGRAM 2-http://susty.com/image/ecosystem-diagram-wedged-tailed-eagle-kookabur
ra-bird-rabbit-mouse-grass-snake-grasshopper-food-web-illustration-arrows-image.gif
FIRE-http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://gardenrain.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/forest_fi
re.png&imgrefurl=http://gardenrain.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/&usg=__fZQDReVqahE-
HS4BqnoVrpNjaSs=&h=305&w=448&sz=68&hl=en&start=1&itbs=1&tbnid=yYdoO-
YwGSZfqM:&tbnh=86&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dforest%2Bfire%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1
CANE TOAD-http://coolthingsinrandomplaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/cane-toad-4.jpg
PANTHER-http://c2.api.ning.com/files/QymItXEcIJWAwR6Z1g1VsvE13R6*-sp7HsZG6Ee2JYTd6a0SeEftra3Q1ktHpKeg4ofdzmc
yW9sMxGqwq10ySqPLNinJ5IO-/A_Dark_Mood_Black_Panther.jpg
PANDA-http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/3047/2757611580046091027S425x425Q85.jpg