Ecosystems and Habitats

SOL 2.5 ~ Ecosystems and Habitats
The student will investigate and understand that living things are part of a system. Key concepts include: interdependence of living and nonliving things (SOL 2.5a) influence of change on habitats and living things (SOL 2.5b) endangered species and extinction (PWC)
What is the system of interaction between living and non-living things called?
Living things depend on the other living things and on the parts of the environment that are not alive for food, water, air, space, shelter, and reproduction. All of the interactions between and among living things and their non-living surroundings are referred to as an ecosystem.

Ecosystem ~ all of the interactions among living things and their non-living surroundings Environment ~ surroundings Living Things ~ things that move, eat, grow and have children Ex. people, plants, animals Non-living Things ~ things that do not eat, move on their own, or grow. They do not have children. Ex. sun, clouds, snowflakes, houses, caves, sand, wood, glass, machines, water
Students should be able to: Classify objects as to whether they are living or non-living. Living or Non-Living Quiz The Living and Non-Living Things Quiz Resources
How are the living organisms dependent upon one another and on the non-living parts of their environment?
The shelter a living thing seeks may be living (such as a tree or coral) or non-living (such as caves or houses).

Shelter ~ the type of "house" someone or something lives in
Students should be able to: Describe the non-living components of an organism’s surroundings, including water, space, and shelter. (Shelter may be living or non-living.)
How are habitats influenced?
The earth is constantly changing, and change affects ecosystems. The habitats (places where animals and plants naturally live) of living things, such as forests, grasslands, rivers and streams, change due to many influences. Habitats change from season to season.

Some changes happen naturally such as flooding. Natural changes include environmental influences such as weather. Humans can also cause changes in a habitat (pollution, cutting down trees, building houses, setting fires, etc...) Since the parts of an ecosystem depend on each other, when one part is affected by a change, other parts are also affected. Habitat ~ places where animals and plants naturally live Animal Habitats
What causes living things to adapt to their environment?
Adaptation ~ a change an animal goes through to fit its environment

Another definition for adaptation ~ a part of an animal's body or way that an animal behaves that helps it survive. Adaptation and You Animal Adaptations Plant Adaptations Students should be able to: Describe how animals are dependent on their surroundings. For example, how are squirrels and other animals affected by the loss of forest habitat? Construct and interpret simple models of different kinds of habitats, including a forest and a stream. Predict and describe seasonal changes in habitat and their effects on plants and animals. For example, how do trees change through the seasons, and how do animals respond to changes in the seasons?
Why do some living things become extinct?
Sometimes the changes in habitats are so dramatic that living things cannot get the food, shelter, and water they need to survive. When this happens, the living things die out and none of its kind is found anywhere on Earth. This is called extinction. Living things that are in danger of becoming extinct are called endangered species. We can help endangered animals and plants by keeping the places where they live safe and clean.

Extinction ~ when living things die out and none of its kind is found anywhere on Earth Endangered ~ when living things are in danger of becoming extinct The Great Habitat Match-up
Review activities:
Flashcards ~ Matching ~ Concentration Rags to Riches