3.2 What is an Ecosystem? NC

A. A New Ecosystem

The Burmese python’s home in the Everglades is a warm, wet ecosystem made up of swamps, marshes, and grassy wetlands. This ecosystem provides water, shelter, and lots of animals to hunt, helping the python survive and grow.

 

An ecosystem is where different plants and animals live. It’s a network of all the living and non living things in an area. Can you guess the name of these five ecosystems? Directions: Click each image to find the answer

A River

A river is an aquatic ecosystem of flowing water that moves from one place to another. 

Stop The Invasion_ 3.2.A Ecosystem Examples_ River

An Ocean

A large aquatic ecosystem made up of saltwater. 

Stop The Invasion_ 3.2.A Ecosystem Examples_ Ocean

A forest

A terrestrial ecosystem filled with trees.

Stop The Invasion_ 3.2.A Ecosystem Examples_ Forest

A pond

A small aquatic ecosystem that could be as small as larger than a track. 

Stop The Invasion_ 3.2.A Ecosystem Examples_ Pond

A Desert

A large, dry terrestrial ecosystem often filled with sand. They might be warm or cold. 

Stop The Invasion_ 3.2.A Ecosystem Examples_ Dessert

B. Ecosystems on Land and Sea

Can you guess which type of ecosystem is most common? Make your prediction, then click on the ecosystem examples below to check your answer.

Aquatic Ecosystems

Tropical Ecosystems

What does “aquatic” mean?
Aquatic means having to do with water.

An aquatic ecosystem is a place where plants and animals live in water.About 71% of Earth’s surface is covered by water or has aquatic ecosystems.

Word Origin (Where the word comes from). Aqua is a Latin word that means water.

When you see aqua in a word, it usually has something to do with water.

Other Words That Use “Aqua”
Aquarium – a tank or place where water animals live

Aqueduct – a structure that carries water from one place to another

Examples of Aquatic Ecosystems

Ocean – salty water where fish, whales, and coral live

Lake – freshwater where fish, frogs, and plants live

River – moving freshwater that many animals depend on

Stop The Invasion_ 3.2.B Aquatic Ecosystem

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Aquatic Ecosystems

What does “terrestrial” mean?

Terrestrial means having to do with land.

A terrestrial ecosystem is a place where plants and animals live on land.

About 29% of Earth’s surface is land or has terrestrial ecosystems.

Word Origin (Where the word comes from)

Terra is a Latin word that means land or earth.

When you see terra in a word, it usually means it is connected to land.

Other Words That Use “Terra”
Terrain – the type of land in an area (rocky, flat, hilly)

Terrarium – a container where land plants or animals are kept

Examples of Terrestrial Ecosystems

Forest – land with many trees and animals like birds and deer

Desert – dry land with plants and animals that use very little water

Grassland – open land with grasses and animals like bison or antelope

Stop The Invasion_ 3.2.B Terrestrial Ecosystem

C. Ecosystem Example

Exploring Ecosystems

Ecosystems are made up living and non-living things that work together and support each other. Let’s learn more about the things that make up aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. As you learn more, think about, which type of ecosytem do you think the Burmese Pyton lives in?

Directions: 
To help us learn more about aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. As you go through the slide show: write down key facts about ecosystems in your mission log. 

Be sure to notice:

  • Living things in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
  • Non-living things in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
  • Types of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

B. Ecosystem Example

Think Like a Scientist

Here’s a video of Everglades National Park. Act like scientists and observe.


  • What was the park like before pythons?
  • Count as many different species as you can.
  • Which species do you think might be threatened by the invasive Burmese pythons?

Think About It

The video says, “This is a combination platter of life.” A combination platter is what you get at a restaurant when you try lots of foods. Think about it – why might the Everglades be called a combination platter of life?

C. Read

Exploring Ecosystems

Fact Finder: Now we’ll read more about ecosystems. This will help us learn why and how invasive species can take over. As you read, write down any important information in the “Fact Finder” section of your mission log.

D. Ecosystem Challenge

Directions: There are many types of aquatic ecosystems and many types of terrestrial ecosystems. Each ecosystem has different species that live there. Here is one terrestrial and one aquatic ecosystem. See if you can identify which plants and animals live in each ecosystem. How can you tell?

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