ACTIVITY: BIOTIC and ABIOTIC FACTORS
OBJECTIVE
Students will identify the characteristics and interactions of biotic and abiotic
components of several ecosystems, and describe the importance of these components
in a sustainable ecosystem.
Introduction:
This activity asks students to categories factors within ecosystems as either biotic or
abiotic. Although these two categories are being segregated, students will likely notice
relationships between each of the factors. In a tundra ecosystem, for example, the very
cold temperature results in permafrost and very pool soil, limiting the amount of
vegetation and, consequently, the diversity of primary consumers.
Directions:
1. Organize each picture/term into the correct category (Biotic or Abiotic) for
each ecosystem.
1. Answer the table and the questions on the recording sheet.
1. Save document and upload to Canvas.
4. Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have had a substantial impact on their
surrounding ecosystems. Discuss how a single human action can have ramifications
that affect an entire ecosystem. How can human activity can impact each biotic or abiotic factor?
Humans have also learned how to intentionally alter the abiotic factors of the environment. For instance,
every time you turn on the air conditioning or sprinkle salt on a road to help snow melt, you are changing
abiotic factors.