Ecosystems & Biomes
IMYC Geography
Theme: Responsibility
Grade 9.2
The Big Idea
Each of us is in charge of the actions
we choose.
Objectives
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Define and use correctly the following terms;
Ecosystems,biomes,community,niche,biomass, population, symbiosis,
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What are ecosystems?
Arrange the following statements in order to
define the term ecosystems.
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And non-living components
●
Interact
●
(plants and animals)
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A natural systems in which
●
An ecosystem is
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Water,air,soil,sunlight and rock
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The living components
Ecosystems
Ecosystems: A biological environment
consisting of all the living organisms
(biotic) within a particular area and the
nonliving (abiotic) that interact with the
organisms e.g. weather, soil, air and
water.
https://youtu.be/C6YrPt1ygX8
Identify living and nonliving components of an ecosystem.
Biomes
Biome: Is a major ecological community
with distinct climate, animals and plants.
A biome is made of many similar
ecosystems.
https://youtu.be/0fb8143ndo8
Geographical Terms to learn
❏
Biotic - Living components of an
ecosystem
❏
Abiotic - Non living components of an
ecosystem
❏
Flora - Plants and Trees
❏
Fauna - Animals
ActivityWrite these components of a small pond
ecosystem into its correct column.
Fish
Frogs
Light
Marigold
Water lily
Plants
Soil
Reeds
Temperature
Heron
Snail
Water
Ducks
Rainfall
Biotic Components of an ecosystem
Biotic components refer to all living
components in an ecosystem. Based on
nutrition, biotic components can be
categorised into autotrophs, heterotrophs and
saprotrophs (or decomposers).
●
Producers include all autotrophs such as
plants. They are called autotrophs as
they can produce food through the
process of photosynthesis.
Consequently, all other organisms higher
up on the food chain rely on producers
for food.
Consumers
●
Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms
that depend on other organisms for food.
Consumers are further classified into
primary consumers, secondary consumers
and tertiary consumers.
● Primary consumers are always
herbivores as they rely on producers
for food.
● Secondary consumers depend on
primary consumers for energy. They
can either be carnivores or
omnivores.
● Tertiary consumers are organisms
that depend on secondary
consumers for food. Tertiary
consumers can also be carnivores or
omnivores.
● Quaternary consumers are present in
some food chains. These organisms
Decomposers
● Decomposers include
saprophytes such as fungi and
bacteria. They directly thrive on
the dead and decaying organic
matter. Decomposers are
essential for the ecosystem as
they help in recycling nutrients
to be reused by plants.