Download Understanding Ecosystems

Understanding Ecosystems
CECO Uganda
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is an area that is
made up of living and non-living
things that interact with each other.
Ecosystems are often categorized
by the amount of sunlight and
rainfall they get, and the condition of
the soil. Deserts, for instance, don’t
get much rain so they have very
little water. Each ecosystem has its
own community of plants and
animals that have adapted to its
surroundings.
Parts of an ecosystem
Everything in the natural world is connected. An
ecosystem is a community of living and nonliving things that work together.
The different parts of the ecosystem i.e. soil air,
heat & light, water, living organisms (plants &
animals), all work together to make a balanced
system!
Soil
Soil is a critical part of an
ecosystem. It provides
important nutrients for the
plants in an ecosystem. It
helps anchor the plants to
keep them in place. Soil
absorbs and holds water for
plants and animals to use
and provides a home for lots
of living organisms.
Air
The atmosphere provides
oxygen and carbon dioxide for
the plants and animals in an
ecosystem. The atmosphere
is also part of the water cycle.
Without the complex
interactions of elements in the
atmosphere, there would be
no life at all!
Heat & Sunlight
The heat and light from
the sun are critical parts
of an ecosystem. Without
heat and light from the
sun there would be no
plant and animal life on
earth.
Water
Water is the most abundant
resource of the Earth's system,
covering about 70 percent of
the planet.
Without water all life would
die!
Living organisms
The living organisms in an ecosystem can be
divided into three important categories.
1. Producers are the green plants. They make
their own food.
2. Consumers are animals of three types.
Herbivores that eat plants, carnivores that
eat meat and omnivores that eat plants and
other animals
3. Decomposers are plants and animals that
break down dead plants and animals into
organic materials that go back into the soil
How do we change ecosystems?
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Build structures like dams, or develop land on
the banks of rivers, it can cause flooding,
which can affect the species living there
Accidentally or knowingly start fires, which can
destroy entire ecosystems!
Cutting down trees and destroying habitats so
that they can make room for buildings, houses,
farms and roads
Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil, which can
pollute the air, soil, and/or water
Using certain farming practices which deplete
the soil of nutrients and cause pollution to run
off into water sources
When such things
happen, species that
depend on these
natural resources are
affected, and that can
lead to a change in
an ecosystem.
Why should we learn about this?
A healthy ecosystem has a
diversity of species and is less
likely to be seriously damaged
by human interaction, natural
disasters and climate changes.
Every part of the ecosystem
has a unique and special place
that helps keep the system
healthy.
By
understanding
and maintaining
this co-existence,
we help keep our
planet healthy.