Term

Ecosystems Ecosystems are complex and full of biotic (living or once living) and abiotic (non-living) factors that affect the diversity of the organisms that live there. Biotic (plants, animals, microorganisms) / abiotic (energy from the Sun, water, soil (not the microorganisms in soil), air, and temperature Components of an ecosystem affect each other in some way (animals rely on plants for food, plants need water to grow, etc.) There are many types of ecosystems such as deserts, the arctic, grasslands, wetlands, forests, and freshwater to name a few. The key characteristics of an ecosystem are climate, size, plant and animal life, geographic location in the world. Some ecosystems store greenhouse gases and prevent them from being released into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming such as wetlands, oceans, forests, and grasslands. Ecosystems can be explored in many different ways using digital tools like the one we used to explore forest ecosystems, non-digital tools such as taking measurements in the field, cameras to take photos or still images, video cameras to record the ecosystem, and magnifying devices like a microscope or magnifying glass. Some ecosystems have a larger diversity of organisms than others. The factors that affect this are geographic location and climate, water sources being available, size, how complex it is with the number and type of plants and animals. This is why the rainforest near the equator has more diversity than the arctic near the north pole. Plants and Photosynthesis Plants use light (collected by the chlorophyll in plants), water, and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and food in the form of sugar (glucose) and often stored as a starch, in a process that supports plants growing and surviving in different ecosystems. Plants and animals use food produced during photosynthesis to perform vital biological processes Plants and animals, including humans, use the oxygen that is released during photosynthesis for respiration. Plants benefit from animals, including humans, to help provide carbon dioxide, which they need to survive. The release of oxygen and the presence of starch indicate that a plant has been photosynthesizing. Plants have an important role in ecosystems as they photosynthesize, clean and filter water, reduce soil erosion, and provide shelter and food for animals. Humans rely on plants for food, clothing, paper, building materials, medicine, and fuel. Certain plants are considered sacred to First Nations and Métis, such as sage, sweetgrass, cedar, and tobacco. The offering of tobacco shows balance and harmony, giving back to the land, respect for plants, and a sustainable relationship with earth. Be able to: Identify abiotic and biotic and how they connect Know what tools could be used to explore ecosystems Know how ecosystems can be used and protected to address climate change Diagram an ecosystem and show its characteristics Compare two different ecosystems Determine which ecosystem is more diverse by looking at the biotic components Explain photosynthesis Find the dependent, controlled, and independent variables in an experiment Write a testable question and hypothesis for an experiment about plants Explain how plants and animals rely on each other to survive and meet their needs *adapted from the Alberta Grade 6 curriculum

Definition