Minds On
What is an ecosystem?
In scientific discussions about the natural world, it is common to hear the terms “habitat” and “ecosystem.”
What do these terms mean?
A habitat is any place where an organism (a plant or animal) naturally lives and grows, but an ecosystem refers to something more complex.
An ecosystem is all the interacting parts of a biological community.
Some examples of ecosystems found around the world are rainforests, grasslands, plains, and freshwater areas – to name a few.
For each ecosystem, select the corresponding image.
Action
Elements of an ecosystem
The Earth has a vast range of different ecosystems, and each of these unique communities is made up of both biotic and abiotic elements.
Press the following tabs to explore each element.
Biotic elements are the living parts of an organism’s environment (i.e., plants, animals, fungi, micro-organisms).
Abiotic elements are physical but non-living features of an ecosystem (i.e. climate, rocks, sunlight, ice, topography, and non-living organic matter).
All ecosystems need a combination of both biotic and abiotic elements to stay healthy, balanced, and functional. These elements each play roles and interact in specific ways within the ecosystem to help it function.
Let’s explore the three main roles for organisms in an ecosystem:
The three types of organisms found within an ecosystem are producers, consumers, and decomposers.
Producers are organisms that produce new organic material from inorganic material with the help of sunlight.
Consumers are organisms that feed on other organisms.
Decomposers are organisms that break down the parts of dead plant or animal matter into smaller pieces (decay).
A carousel of four images. Image 1: A chart with three headings: 'Producers' they make their own food, below the text includes images of plants. 'Consumers' they eat other organisms for food, and below the text includes images of a rabbit and a cow. 'Decomposers' they break down dead material, and below the text includes images of a worm and fungi. Image 2: A small plant sprout and an adult tree with green leaves. Image 3: A rabbit and a cow are side-by-side. Image 4: A multi-coloured fungus grows on the side of a tree beside a separate illustration of an earthworm.
Check out the following examples of different organisms. Let’s sort the examples into the producer, consumer, or decomposer categories.
Limiting factors in an ecosystem
All ecosystems have limiting factors, which are conditions of the environment that limit the growth of a species.
Populations would continue to increase if they had all of the resources they needed, but there are always factors that limit their ability to increase and grow.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm
Let’s brainstorm the following prompts:
- What might be some of the limiting factors of an ecosystem?
- What do you think might happen if a small town developed near a stream? How would the ecosystem of that stream be affected?
Record your thoughts and ideas in a notebook or another method of your choice.
When you’re ready, press ‘Let’s Check!’ to access possible responses.
What might be some of the limiting factors of an ecosystem?
Some examples of limiting factors are sunlight (for plant growth), shelter, water, breeding or nesting sites, weather, and length/hardness of winter in some climates.
The carrying capacity is the number of species and animals that an ecosystem can support and/or sustain. Due to limiting factors, the number of species in an ecosystem is often well below carrying capacity.
What do you think might happen if a small town developed near a stream? How would the ecosystem of that stream be affected?
People could catch fish from the stream, use the water from the stream, or build houses near the stream. All of these activities would affect this ecosystem.
Impacts of human activity
While ecosystems have natural limiting factors that can restrict the growth of certain organisms, the impact of human activity and certain technologies on the environment places entire ecosystems under threat.
Your task will be to choose one of the following human activities and conduct independent research to better understand how it is affecting ecosystems, as well as any efforts that are being made to reduce the impact.
Consider any of the following human activities to further research:
- deforestation
- mining for fossil fuels and minerals
- contamination of resources
- soil erosion
- overconsumption of resources
- introduced species
- another human activity of your choice
Before beginning your research, explore this video to learn about the steps of the Scientific Research Process.
Consult the following checklist as you conduct your research:
Be sure to choose appropriate resources by:
You may record your research findings in the following organizer, or another method of your choice.
Complete Independent Research: Impacts of Human Activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
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Human Activity: |
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What is causing this? |
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How is it impacting ecosystems? |
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How does this issue impact the sustainability of a city? |
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What efforts are being made to reduce these impacts? What initiatives are seeking support for a positive change? |
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Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Independent Research: Impacts of Human Activity.
Global connection
The United Nations (UN) is a group of many countries from around the world that have come together to create a better future for people and the environment. They have created 17 goals called the Sustainable Development Goals.
This learning activity is connected to Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. This means that our cities and communities should be inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Communities that are not sustainable can lead to pollution, unrest, insecurity, lack of economic growth, and more.
The harmful impact of certain human activities and technologies on the environment poses a direct threat to sustainability, especially in areas with a higher human population, such as cities and communities.
Let’s explore examples of sustainable conservation efforts to reduce the harmful impacts on the environment.
Conservation efforts
In response to the harm caused by certain human activity and technology, conservation efforts and initiatives have emerged around the world.
The three main types of conservation efforts that are happening worldwide are:
- marine conservation
- environmental conservation
- animal conservation
Explore the following examples of a marine and an environmental conservation imitative: Oyster Worldwide and Re:wild.
Consider how each group addresses the harm caused by human activity and technology.
Press the following tabs to access each conservation initiative.
Oyster Worldwide is an organization dedicated to the conservation of animal welfare and ecosystems. Most recently, they participated in marine conservation projects around the world by cleaning up beaches, lobbying governments to improve regulations, and educating people about the importance of the marine world.
Currently, volunteers are working in Borneo to conserve the rainforest in New Zealand and to preserve natural habitats, and in South Africa to improve the ecosystem for wildlife.
Re:wild is a group of conservation scientists, Indigenous peoples, local communities, influential leaders, and companies that are dedicated to protecting and conserving over 45 million acres of wild places and threatened species.
Re:wild works to restore biodiverse areas that have been degraded, to provide a home for wildlife, and ensure humans can thrive and prosper. Re:wild also focuses on protecting some of the rarest, most threatened species in the world.
Investigate
Investigate
We previously explored how human activities and technological developments have a negative impact on the environment.
Using your research literacy skills, let’s investigate one example of an animal conservation project or initiative that is actively working to combat the harmful impact of human activities and technologies on Earth.
You may choose one of the following animal conservation efforts operating in Canada, internationally, or another project or organization of your choice.
Animal Conservation Efforts |
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Canada |
International |
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You may record your research findings in the following organizer or another method of your choice.
Complete the Animal Conservation Research Map in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Name of the conservation effort/organization: |
When was the effort/organization founded? |
Explain how human activity or technology cause the needs for this conservation effort. |
Describe the specific actions of the conservation effort (campaigns, events, programs, etc.): |
Which ecosystems are affected? |
Provide examples of biotic and abiotic elements found in the ecosystem(s): |
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List the websites/sources you used in your research: |
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Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Animal Conservation Research Map.
Consolidation
Call to action!
It can be shocking to learn about some of the environmental harm caused by human activity and technology. However, when this kind of sensitive information is shared with the public in an effective way, it can work as a “call to action” that motivates people to get involved and actively make a difference.
An image split into three sections, the first image is of a person holding a computer displaying a pie graph, the middle image is of person wearing headphones and speaking into a microphone, and the last image is of a video on a phone titled 'Stop Pollution'.
Calls to action can come in many forms.
Consider some of the formats that activists might use to call attention to their cause:
- Infographics communicate statistics-heavy information through visuals and text.
- Podcasts are a way to share the message through voice and discussion(s).
- Digital stories combine audio and video to package a call to action.
Each of these formats could be used to share information about an issue, build public awareness, and encourage an immediate response from an audience.
Try It
Your turn!
Every ecosystem needs a defender!
Consider some of the examples of threatened ecosystems that have been explored throughout this learning activity.
1. Choose an ecosystem near you, or an ecosystem of interest to you, and consider the following questions:
- How can you change the ecosystem for the better?
- What small (or big) action can you do right now to make a difference?
- Which call-to-action format (infographic, podcast, digital story, etc.) could you use to communicate the importance of this issue?
2. Using a method of your choice to record your thoughts, explore the following steps for your own call-to-action:
- First, describe the ecosystem you have selected and how it has been affected by human activity.
- Then, explain which call-to-action format you might use to promote awareness of this environmental issue.
Check out the following checklist to guide your call-to-action response.
Did you include…?
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel…
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.