Unit 1 – Diversity in Ecosystems

What is an ecosystem?a term used to describe the relationships

among the many species living in an environment and the relationship among those organisms and the non-living components of the environment.

Keyword: relationships

Science 10 – Unit 1: Ecology

Ecology Pre-unit warmup q’s

1) Convey what you believe an Ecosystem is, providing an example of one close to your house. Describe your ecosystem in detail.

2) Describe a food chain which exists within your ecosystem. How does energy cycle through this food chain?

Unit 1 – Ecoweather Why is this unit important?

Scientific literacy Protecting our environment It’s interesting!

Movie clip (

THE SILENCE OF THE FROGS

Chapter 1.1

The Silence of the frogs Frogs are amphibians, meaning they live

both in the water and on land. They have been around for more than

400 million years, surviving ice ages and mass extinctions.

Around the world, they can be found in most ecosystems that include water Wetlands, marshes, deserts, lakes, oceans,

forests.

Why are scientists concerned about frogs?

The frog is an indicator species, meaning their health is a good indicator of the health of the ecosystem in which they live.

Why is this? Frogs are sensitive to pH, Ultraviolet

rays, and pollution. They live both in the water and on land

(two different lives). Tadpoles in the water Adult frogs on land

Since they are in two ecosystems, they are also in two FOOD CHAINS.

Silence of the frogs cont...

FOOD CHAIN – a step-by-step sequence linking organisms that feed on each other, starting with a food source such as a plants (producers), and continuing with animals and other living things that feed on plants (consumers)

Parts of a food chain All food chains start with the sun as its

source of energy. Producer - an organism that can make

their own food to give themselves energy. Examples: Plants, Algae

Parts of a food chain cont...

Consumer - an organism that must get its energy by eating another organism (can not make their own food ) Example: animals

Parts of a food chain cont...

Food chains also involve Decomposers, which cycle nutrients back through food chains.

Decomposer – an organism which feeds on detritus to get nutrients for their own use, releasing other nutrients into surrounding soil and water in the process. Examples: Maggots, Bacteria

Parts of a food chain cont...

Detritus – waste from plants and animals, including their dead remains.

As decomposers break detritus down, the nutrients can then help plants to grow.

FROGS IN THEIR ECOSYSTEMS

What do adult frogs eat? Mostly insects, sometimes small fish.

What animals eat frogs? Large fish, predatory birds, reptiles, small

mammals.

FROGS IN THEIR ECOSYSTEMS

What do tadpoles eat? Algae (small, plant-like organisms) Detritus

What animals eat tadpoles? Water boatman, small fish

Both the adult frog and the tadpole are part of a food chain that includes Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores.

Parts of a food chain cont...

Herbivore – organism which eats only plants. Examples: Grasshoppers, Cows

Carnivore – organism which eats only other animals. Examples: Tigers, Frogs

Omnivores – organisms which eat both plants and other animals. Examples: Humans, Bears

WHY ARE FROGS DISAPPEARING?

The Last Frog Video

After viewing the video, respond to the following:

1. List 3 reasons cited in the video that helps explain the disappearance of the frogs.

2. What are some things that WE can do as a society to help prevent further declination of the frog species?

What are the four major factors for frog decline?

1. LOSS OF HABITAT

This is mentioned as the main cause We are destroying the water with pollution We are cutting down forests We are building highways and cities

between the two ecosystems.

2. AIR AND WATER QUALITY

Frogs have thin skin and no protection from the sun.

Frogs breathe through their skin and by lungs.

Acid rain therefore can go through their skin

This affects the ability to reproduce

3. ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

The thin skin is also susceptible to UV radiation.

Frogs have adapted by developing a black skin and laying black eggs.

Scientists don’t believe that frogs will adapt as fast as global warming.

Why not? They beat the ice age!!!

4. CLIMATE CHANGES

Human activities are causing changes in the climate.

Increased use of fossil fuels ( coal, oil, gas)

Climate changes affect the local ecosystems.

Class Work

P.

Section 1.1 Silence of the Frogs (Pg. 10-13 Wksheet)

Questions 1-11