28 UNIT 2
' Elements of an ecosystem '
N
Plants, animals, and other living organisms, including physical
components, such as the air and landscape, form an ecosystem. Y O Water is a vital
element in all
The physical components The living organisms ecosystems. Tell a
of an ecosystem include: of an ecosystem include: partner why it is
so important.
* sunlight * plants (flora)
* air * animals (fauna) Water (in lakes)
t . . provides shelter to ...;
. water . mlcroorgam?ms, _ Waker helps Geoch)
* soil (including rocks such as fungi, bacteria
and minerals) and protists.
* temperature
* climate
The place where a particular plant or animal species normally
grows, or lives, is called a habitat. A population is a group of
organisms that belong to the same species. Interactions
between populations form communities.
ECOSYSTEMS 33
Aquatic ecosystems
Aquatic ecosystems include marine and freshwater ecosystems.
* Marine ecosystems include the open ocean, the shoreline
and coral reefs.
The open oceanis the largest ecosystem on our planet. The
shoreline is where sea and land meet. We can find coral
reefs in warm, tropical waters.
* Freshwater ecosystems include standing water and flowing
water.
We can find flowing water in rivers and streams. We can
find standing water in lakes and ponds.
A Playa del Viejo Rey, Fuerteventura
Artificial ecosystems
Artificial ecosystems mimic @ Take turns with a
partner and describe
natural ecosystems.
an ecosystem. Ask
Aquariums and ponds in your partner to guess.
gardens are artificial aquatic
We can find this
ecosystems.
ecosystem in ...; This
Farmlands and greenhouses ecosystem is home
are artificial terrestrial to ...; It grows in ...
ecosystems.
) @ Listen to a scientist
Our towns and cities are
talking about the
artificial urban ecosystems. importance of trees.
They are made up of both What are some major
artificial and natural A Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest), threats to them?
elements. Porta Nuova, Milan
Types of ecosystems
Ecosystems can be terrestrial, aquatic, and artificial.
Terrestrial ecosystems
Forests
* Coniferous forests grow in cold areas. These ecosystems include savannahs and
They are home to evergreen trees and temperate grasslands. They are flat areas
mosses. with different types of grasses.
* Deciduous forests grow in temperate * We find savannahs in tropical areas.
zones. They are home to deciduous trees They are home to grazing animals
and shrubs. and large predators.
* Mediterranean forests grow in areas * We find temperate grasslands in
around the Mediterranean Sea. colder areas. They can be steppes
and prairies.
* Tropical forests grow near the Equator.
They are home to tall evergreen trees and
many insect species.
This ecosystem is near the North Pole. It is This ecosystem is the driest on Earth. It is
the coldest ecosystem on our planet. It is very sandy and rocky. Deserts have very
home to grasses and mosses. Trees do not little vegetation. Desert animals and plants
grow in tundra. To save energy during the have adapted to their environment.
long winters, many tundra species hibernate.
38 UNIT 2
Interspecies relationships
In an ecosystem, there are three types of organisms - producers,
consumers, and decomposers. They all need energy to survive.
The Sun is the starting point for all food chains.
chains
od chains show the feeding relationship of organisms in an ecosystem.
@ Producers make their own
food through photosynthesis.
@ Consumers feed on other living
organisms. Consumers can be:
—Herbivores: These are primary
consumers. They eat plants
and algae.
—Carnivores: These are secondary
consumers. They eat other animals.
There are two types of carnivores:
* Predators hunt and kill other
animals.
* Scavengers eat dead animals,
such as vultures.
—Omnivores: These secondary
consumers eat both plants and
animals.
() Ecosystems can also have tertiary
consumers. These are carnivores that
feed on other carnivores. Because no
other animals hunt or eat them, they
are considered top predators.
® Decomposers get the nutrients they
need from dead organic matter, such
as dead leaves or dead animals.
ECOSYSTEMS
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms that are present
in an ecosystem. Biodiversity creates balance in the ecosystem.
A single change in the ecosystem can have an impact on all of
the organisms within it. Its balance can be affected by invasive
species, human activity and global warming.
Human activity Global warming
The rapid growth in The greenhouse effect
the Earth's population, increases our planet 's
toxic pollutants and temperatures.
deforestation.
A deforestation
Loss of biodiversity can increase the risk of extinction.
Extinction happens when every single member of a species
dies out and they no longer exist.
There are some animals and plants that are extinct in the
wild. This means that they no longer exist in their natural @ Listen to the news
habitats. Examples include the Panamanian golden frog report. What are the
and the plant, Alula. consequences of the
invasion of a new
Benefits of protecting biodiversity species into an
Our planet depends on biodiversity. Plants give us oxygen, ecosystem?
food, medicines, fibre for clothing and construction material º 3 O With a partner,
Animals, plants and fungi keep soil healthy and water clean. take turns to name
what makes a healthy
ecosystem.