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Unit 3 - Life on Earth
Biodiversity and Investigating
Ecosystems
Biomes
Biome: are the various regions of our
planet as distinguished by their similar
climate, fauna and flora.
Global distribution of biomes can be
influenced by temperature and rainfall.
Can you think of any examples of biomes?
Name the biomes...
A
C
B
D
Ecosystems
All living organisms interact with other living
things and their non-living surroundings.
We call this interaction an ecosystem.
living
organisms
+
non-living
surroundings
=
ecosystem
Soil Ecosystem
What’s living?
What’s non-living?
Fresh Water Ecosystem
What’s living?
What’s non-living?
Biodiversity
Biodiversity: the variety of species in an
ecosystem.
Watch Natures Microworlds and see the
amazing diversity of life on Earth!
Components of an Ecosystem
An ecosystem is made up from different parts:
• Habitat
• Population
• Community
Habitat
A habitat is the place where an organism lives.
What habitats are in this ecosystem?
Population
In an ecosystem, a group of organisms made of
one species is called a population.
How many can you get right?
A population of dolphins
...a school of dolphins
A population of sheep
...a flock of sheep
A population of crows
...a murder of crows
A population of lions
...a pride of lions
A population of geese
...a gaggle of geese
A population of ants
...an army of ants
(My fave) A population of hodgehegs
...a prickle of hodgehegs
Community
A community is all the living organisms
together in an ecosystem.
This means that:
Community + Habitat =
Ecosystem
Find a habitat, a community and a
population in this ecosystem
Find a habitat, a community and a
population in this ecosystem
Components of an Ecosystem
Word
Meaning
Example
Habitat
Population
Community
Ecosystem
H______ + C_________ = ______________
Identifying Ecosystem Components
Glue In:
Pond Ecosystem
Identifying Ecosystem Components
Think
 What are three habitats in this ecosystem?
 How do the communities in these habitats differ?
 Why are organisms restricted to their habitats?
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Many factors can have an effect on
ecosystems.
Biotic factors – factors relating to living
things, e.g. predation,
competition.
Abiotic factors – non-living factors which
affect an ecosystem,
e.g. temperature, pH
Biotic or Abiotic?
Light intensity
Disease
pH
Grazing
Temperature
Predation
Moisture
Food availability
Biotic or Abiotic?
Biotic
Abiotic
Research an Ecosystem
• You will be allocated an ecosystem card.
• Your role is to find out the answers to
the questions on the card.
• Prepare to produce a team poster about
your ecosystem.
One stay, two stray
When listening to the presentations, find
out;
• The temperature and rainfall expected
in this ecosystem.
• An example of a plant and animal found
there.
• A human influence affecting that
ecosystem.
Why can these birds all live
happily on the Galapagos?
Ecological Niche
• A niche is the role an organism plays in its
ecosystem.
• This includes where it lives and breeds,
what it feeds on, and what feeds on it
Did these animals
come from one
species or two?
What is the best definition of
a species?
1. A group of animals that can interbreed
2. A group of organisms that can have
offspring of their own
3. A group of organisms that can
interbreed to produce fertile
offspring
4. A group of organisms that have
characteristics in common
Now try…
• Wordbank
• WYSK
Bingo!
Ecosystem
Community
Biome
Biotic
Population
Abiotic
Ecological Niche
Biodiversity
Species
Habitat