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1.2 Ecosystems

This snake blends well with the ocean tidal zone that it was crossing through.
I thought it was a rather strange place to spot a snake.
Take note of the large amount of organisms in this picture: barnacles, various seaweeds, mussels to name a few.
Daniel Point, Sunshine Coast.
© July 2008, Ms. Loenen

Lesson Notes

Click the headings to expand each section of your lesson notes.

Ecosystem Definition

As your work through today’s readings be sure to note the difference between an ecosystem and a habitat.

Ecosystems have both abiotic and biotic interactions going on all of the time.

Scroll over the image below to reveal the definitions.

Biotic Interactions in Ecosystems

Symbiotic Relationships:

Commensalism
Mutualism
Parasitism

These relationships are defined well in today’s textbook readings; however, the following article has some really cool examples of symbiotic relationships in the rainforests of Peru. Scroll down to the paragraphs called, “Interdependence and complex symbiotic Relationships”.

Don’t be put off by the big title – it is truly worth the read.

http://rainforests.mongabay.com/0202.htm

Niches (page 44)

An organism’s niche is the way an organism contributes to and fits into its environment.
What role does that organism play?

Competition (page 45)

Resources within an ecosystem can be in short supply causing organisms to compete with each other. The weeds in my flower beds are competing with my perennials for sunlight, soil, and water. Sadly, the weeds will win until I get out there and do some much needed weeding!

Mouse over the following image to see what are plants and what are weeds. Then click the image to see the weeded result.

Predation (page 46-47)

The term used to describe predator-prey interactions where one organism benefits and the other is harmed (you think!).

To Do

	Today’s readings are from pages 34-44. In case you are wondering, it is assumed that you are reading the textbook selections for each day and updating your Foldable notes as you move along. All textbook readings are testable. The lesson notes for each day are meant to supplement the textbook not re-tell what the textbook already said.
	Build Your Own Virtual Ecosphere Click here to build an ecosphere without getting your hands dirty! How did it go? My first simulation resulted in a lack of oxygen and an over-abundance of CO₂ at about week 6 but things turned around surprisingly enough and the oxygen increased again. Very cool!
	Predator – Prey Interaction Virtual Lab Activity Predator – Prey Simulator In this applette you start by placing the small black dot on the graph to set the initial number of Foxes and Rabbits. Then, hit go and see what happens. Play around by changing the starting numbers of Foxes and Rabbits.
	Complete the L1D4 Brain Check assignment using your textbook to help you.