Biotic Factors
Living components of an ecosystem (plants, animals, bacteria).
Abiotic Factors
Non-living physical and chemical components of an ecosystem (sunlight, temperature, water, soil).
Predators (e.g., wolves)
Prey (e.g., rabbits)
Producers (e.g., plants, algae, some bacteria)
Consumers (e.g., animals, humans)
Decomposers (e.g., fungi)
examples of biotic factors
Light intensity
pH levels
Water Availabilit
Temperature
Soil Composition
examples of abiotic factors
Light intensity
Abiotic factor that Influences photosynthesis rates in plants.
pH levels
Abiotic factor that Influence the chemical reactions in the soil and water, affecting plant and animal life.
Water Availability
Abiotic factor that Essential for all living organisms, influencing their distribution and behavior.
Temperature
Abiotic factor that Affects metabolic rates and enzyme activity in organisms.
Soil Composition
Abiotic factor that Affects plant growth and the types of organisms that can inhabit an area
Acidic
_____ soils can limit plant growth
Sandy
_____ soils drain quickly
neutral pH
_________ soils supports diverse plant life
clay
____ soils retain water.
abiotic
Organisms often adapt to their ______ environment
antifreeze proteins
fish in colder waters may have _____________ in their blood to prevent freezing
adaptations
Organisms have specific __________ that help them survive in their particular environments
Cacti
_____ in deserts have thick, fleshy stems that store water and spines that reduce water loss and deter herbivores.
Polar Bears
____________ have thick fur and a layer of fat to insulate against cold temperatures in Arctic regions.
depth
In aquatic environments, light availability decreases with _____, influencing the types of plants and animals found at different depths.
Ectotherms
cold-blooded animals
Endotherms
warm-blooded animals
reptiles
________ rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. They bask in the sun to warm up and seek shade to cool down.
sphagnum moss
Acidic waters (low pH) in some bogs and swamps support specialized plant species like ___________, which can tolerate low pH levels.
stability
The balance between biotic and abiotic factors contributes to ecosystem’s _______
shifts
Changes in abiotic factors like climate change can disrupt this balance, leading to _____ in species composition and ecosystem function.
succession
Over time, ecosystems can undergo ___________, a process where the structure and composition of a community change due to biotic and abiotic factors. For example, after a forest fire (abiotic), pioneer species (biotic) like grasses and shrubs quickly colonize the area, followed by trees and larger plants as the ecosystem matures.
Ecosystem
A community of living organisms interacting with one another and their physical environment.
Community
Different populations of organisms living and interacting in a particular area.
Producers
Organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants via photosynthesis)
Consumers
Organisms that eat other organisms
herbivores
Animals that eat plants
carnivores
Animals that eat other animals
Primary Consumers
Secondary Consumers
Tertiary Consumers
3 types of consumers
Decomposers
Organisms that break down dead material, returning nutrients to the soil.
bacteria, fungi
example of decomposers
Food Chains
Linear sequences showing who eats whom.
Food Webs
Complex networks of interlinked food chains. They provide a more realistic representation of how organisms in an ecosystem interact.
biodiversity
High _________ increases ecosystem stability and resilience. It ensures that there are multiple species that can perform essential ecological functions.
Sunlight
Primary source of energy for most ecosystems
Photosynthesis
Process by which plants convert solar energy into chemical energy.
Equation:
6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
Trophic Levels
Levels in a food chain or food web.
10
Only about __% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, with the rest lost as heat. This energy loss limits the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem
Pyramids of Biomass
Show the relative amount of living organic matter available at each trophic level. They typically have a broad base (producers) and a narrow top (top predators)
trophic levels
The efficiency of energy transfer affects the number of ______ ____ an ecosystem can support. They typically have a broad base (producers) and a narrow top (top predators).
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Decomposition
Combustion
Nitrogen Fixation
Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form by bacteria.
Nitrification
Conversion of ammonia into nitrates
Assimilation
Plants absorb nitrates
Denitrification
Conversion of nitrates back into atmospheric nitrogen
Nutrient
_________ cycles ensure the availability of essential elements for life. They maintain ecosystem productivity and support life processes.
eutrophication
Excessive use of fertilizers can lead to nutrient runoff, causing ___________ in water bodies.
Carbon Cycle
What cycle?
A tree absorbs CO2 during photosynthesis. When the tree dies, decomposers break it down, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere. If the tree is burned, CO2 is released rapidly.
Nitrogen Cycle
What cycle?
Legume plants have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules. These bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is then used by the plant.
Pollution
Sources: Industrial processes and waste disposal contribute to air, water, and soil pollution.
Air Pollution
Water Pollution
Soil Pollution
types of pollution
Air Pollution
Emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere (e.g., sulfur dioxide from industrial processes).
Water Pollution
Contamination of water bodies (e.g., oil spills, plastic waste).
Soil Pollution
Degradation of soil quality (e.g., heavy metals from industrial waste).
Health Problems
Ecosystem Damage
Climate Change
effects of pollution
Climate Change
Increased greenhouse gases from human activities lead to rising temperatures and changing weather patterns.
Conservation Strategies
______ ______ like protecting natural habitats and sustainable resource use aim to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Reforestation
Planting trees in deforested areas to restore ecosystems and sequester carbon.
Reforestation
Protected Areas
conservation examples
Great Pacific Garbage Patch
A massive collection of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean, affecting marine life
Deforestation in the Amazon
Leading to habitat loss, reduction in biodiversity, and increased CO2 levels