Natural Science - Term 2 - Week 6

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their environment. It includes biotic factors, such as plants and animals, and abiotic factors, like water, soil, and climate. Each component plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. For example, plants produce oxygen and food through photosynthesis, while animals contribute to nutrient cycling through their waste.

Let's consider a forest ecosystem. In this ecosystem, we can identify various components: trees (biotic), soil (abiotic), insects (biotic), and sunlight (abiotic). When we think about how these components interact, we see that trees provide shelter for insects, while insects help pollinate flowers. This example illustrates the interconnectedness of ecosystem components.

In pairs, create a collage that represents a specific ecosystem of your choice, such as a desert, rainforest, or ocean. Use magazines, colored paper, and drawings to depict both biotic and abiotic components. Label each component with its name and a brief description of its role in the ecosystem. This task will help you apply your vocabulary and understanding creatively.

After completing your collage, write a short paragraph reflecting on the process. What was easy about creating the collage? What challenges did you face? How did you overcome them? This reflection will help you consolidate your learning and identify areas for improvement.

• Water
• Soil
• Plants
• Sunlight

Answer: Plants

Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem, such as plants and animals.

• Animals
• Bacteria
• Temperature
• Trees

Answer: Temperature

Abiotic factors are non-living components, like temperature and sunlight.

Answer: An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their environment.

This definition captures the essence of how organisms and their surroundings work together.

• Herbivores
• Carnivores
• Plants
• Decomposers

Answer: Plants

Plants are the primary producers in an ecosystem, converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.

Answer: Water and soil.

These are essential non-living components that affect living organisms in an ecosystem.

• They produce energy.
• They consume plants.
• They break down dead matter.
• They compete for resources.

Answer: They break down dead matter.

Decomposers recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem by breaking down dead organisms.

Answer: Interconnectedness refers to how different components of an ecosystem interact and depend on each other.

This concept highlights the relationships between living and non-living factors in maintaining ecosystem balance.