It is derived from French word “environs” meaning around, encircle or encompass.

is the totality or patterns of relations between organisms and their environment”.

is the academic field that takes physical, biological and chemical sciences to study the environment and discover solutions to environmental problems

A social movement or an ideology focused on the welfare of the environment, environmentalism seeks to protect and conserve the elements of earth's ecosystem.

The 2 Main Components of an Ecosystem

an ecosystem consist of the nonorganic aspects of the environment that determine what life forms can thrive.

an ecosystem are the life forms that inhabit it. The life forms of an ecosystem aid in the transfer and cycle of energy.

MAJOR TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM

An ecosystem situated near the North Pole in the Arctic Circle; thus, the coldest and driest of all terrestrial ecosystems. ❖ Winters are extremely cold with temperatures typically below -34° C

is located within the Arctic Circle

is the area high in the mountains above trees.

The largest animal that lives in the tundra ecosystem is the

The largest terrestrial ecosystem and extends across Europe, North America and Asia. ❖ It is also known as coniferous forest or boreal forest. ❖ It has short, wet summers and long, cold winters. It gets plenty of snow during the winter and plenty of rainfall during the summer.

It experiences all four seasons- winter, spring, summer, and fall. ❖ The four seasons are easily recognizable and each lasts about 3 months. ❖ It is located in the United States, Canada, Europe, C

Black bears and wolves are very common animals that live in the _________ and The growing season of the ________ lasts about six months.

An ecosystem that covers about 7% of the Earth’s surface. ❖ Majority of the tropical rain forests lies in South America in Brazil. ❖ Tropical rainforests are one of the oldest ecosystems on Earth.

also known as prairies and savannas.

surround every desert in Asia. ❖ Twenty-five percent of the Earth is covered by the grassland ecosystem.

experience warm weather all year long

are warm part of the year and very cold during the other part.

are located in the Southern Hemisphere

are located in the Northern Hemisphere.

cover about 20% of the Earth.

is the largest desert in the desert ecosystem. It covers over 300 million square miles.

is an ecosystem located in a body of water.

Two major aquatic ecosystems exist:

The largest ecosystem with coverage of nearly 71% of the Earth’s surface and containing 97% of the planet’s water.

The largest ocean in the ecosystem is the

The ocean ecosystem is the home to the largest known mammal

It is located in a shallow, clear portion of the ocean in mostly tropical areas. These areas include the coasts of East Africa, South India, Australia, Florida, the Caribbean, and Brazil.

is the largest coral reef ecosystem and is located in Australia. It can actually be seen from outer space.

Covers only 0.8% of the Earth’s surface and contain 0.009% of its total water.

There are two basic types of freshwater ecosystems

are also called standing waters. ❖ It includes lakes, ponds, swamps, marshes, and vernal pools

are also called flowing waters. ❖ It includes rivers, streams, creeks, brooks, and springs.

The process where the Sun’s energy is converted into chemical energy (Glucose/Sugar).

The process where sugar is converted into carbon dioxide, water and energy.

Make their own food (usually through photosynthesis)

Can’t make its own food – Gets energy from eating other organisms

Break down waste and dead organisms to return raw materials to the environment

shows one path of the flow of energy in an ecosystem

a model that shows the energy flow through different organisms in an ecosystem. consists of many overlapping food chains in an ecosystem

describes the feeding relationship between a producer and a single chain of consumers in an ecosystem.