Interdependence of Life: Ecosystems
Ka Hana ΤImi NaΤauao ΠA Science Careers Curriculum Resource Go to: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana
Adapted from BioEd Online
Discuss this Ecological Terminology
Which of these words do
you know?

Environment

Ecology

Biotic vs. Abiotic

Population & Community

Ecosystem

Biosphere

Biomass
Banded Spiny Lobster
– Ula –
Panulirus marginatus
Geez, I can’t
even pronounce
my own name!
PART I: Class Activity Time!
How can we learn a whole lot of new stuff without a
whole lot of effort?
EASY - just try memorize (or take quick notes) on 3
of the next 10 slides! Do this with 1 or 2 partners if
you like. Your effort will be rewarded in a game
afterwards!
The next 10 slides are about:

Ecosystems (3 slides)

Zonation (3 slides)

Energy (4 slides)
READY?
1. Ecosystems are …

All members of a community, along with
their physical and chemical environments.
Dude! Am
I biotic or
abiotic or
wut?!
They …
 Vary greatly in size
 Are Dynamic


energy flow

chemical cycling
Change over time
(called succession)
Coral Reefs are rich, diverse and
productive ecosystems
2. Aquatic Ecosystems (types)

Freshwater

Flowing Water

Lakes

Wetlands

Estuaries

Oceans
(see next slide)
Kawainui Marsh
I’m looking for
waterfront,
quiet kine
‘hood … l’dat!
3. Ocean Ecosystems

Ocean Zones
 Intertidal or
littoral
 Coastal or neritic
 Coral Reefs
 Open Ocean
 Benthic
Queen’s Bath
Kalapana
4. Zonation in Lakes
5. Zonation in a Marine Environment
6. Zonation in a Loko Pu‘uone

(type of Hawaiian fishpond)
All ponds are in the Photic Zone
 Ponds include Intertidal &/or Littoral Zones
 Benthic zone of ponds has many organisms living
off decomposing organic matter
 Eurtrophic lakes are more shallow & have rich
nutrients
7. Primary Production (Light Energy)



The conversion of light
energy to chemical energy is
called photosynthesis.
Plants use the energy
captured in photosynthesis
for maintenance and growth.
The energy that is
accumulated in plant biomass
is called “net primary
production.”
8. Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Producers of Energy (Autotrophs)

Consumers of Energy (Heterotrophs)

Trophic Levels
 Ecological Pyramids of Energy
 Ecological Pyramids of Biomass
 Ecological Pyramids of Numbers
9. Ecological Pyramid of Energy
Mm-mm … I
could really go
for some
kilocalories…
10. Ecological Pyramid of Biomass
Hey…. Not
me brah I am way
low cal!
Get Ready for the Game!
Make a sheet with 2 columns & 8 rows like this:
Name:
1.
Name:
2.
Name:
3.
Name:
4.
Name:
5.
Name:
6.
Name:
7.
Name:
8.
Bring on the game!
On the next slide 8 tasks will appear. Do not write
them down. Just read them & get ready to go look
for 8 different people who can do these tasks. You
can only write your own name beside one task.
Each person must PROVE they can do the task before
they can sign your paper.
The first person with their sheet filled in with 8
different names WINS!
Get it?
Good …
GO!
Hurry! The clock is ticking!
Name:
1. Recite 3 types of aquatic ecosytems from
memory.
Name:
2. While standing on 1 foot, read aloud from
your notes for 20 seconds.
Name:
3. Put these photic zones in order as seen
from shore: neritic, oceanic, intertidal.
Name:
4. Recall a dream you have had about water &
relate it to 1 fact you learned in this class.
Name:
5. State the mathematical pattern of
kilocalories of energy between primary
producers & all 3 consumer types.
Name:
6. Make up & sing a 10 second song about
zonation.
Name:
7. In less than 30 seconds state 3 facts
about an aquatic ecosystem.
Name:
8. Draw one of the diagrams you’ve just seen.
PART 2: Biogeochemical Cycles
Coming up next …



Cycling of materials between the
environment and organisms
Chemical and biological processes
Examples
 Water cycle
 Nitrogen cycle
 Phosphorus cycle
 Carbon cycle
Plants obtain nitrogen
from nitrogen-fixing
bacteria and pass it to
other organisms through
the food chain.
Biogeochemical Cycles
“Bio” means life. “Geo” means earth. Tell us about the chemical
cycles of life on Earth in … Group Activity Time!



Get into groups of 2-4
Study the diagram on the handout you are given (water cycle,
nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle or carbon cycle)
Choose 1-2 people to prepare to do each of these tasks in front
of the class (everyone must help present):
 Choose, state and explain a title for your diagram
 Pronounce and define new words or terms
 Explain in simple language how many steps are shown in your
diagram and what is happening at each step
 Guess who this information is important to and why (not
just “scientists” or “nature” … be specific & think deeply!)
Group Activity Time! Biogeochemical Cycles

Water Cycle Group - You’re Up!
Nitrogen Cycle Group - You’re Up!
Carbon Cycle Group - You’re Up!
Phosphorus Cycle Group - You’re Up!