Ecosystems

The Ecosystem is composed of three things: plants, animals, and the environment they live in.

The Biosphere is all the ecosystems on our planet, every living and non-living thing in the hydrosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere. 

What is the difference between a hydrosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere? 

The atmosphere is all the air on our planet! Where clouds and birds are, but also much further above. 

The lithosphere is the land on earth. Where rocks, soil, and sand is. Also where many living creatures roam. 

The hydrosphere includes all the water on earth, in its evaporated form as well. The hydrosphere includes oceans, rivers, lakes, and even puddles. 

Biotic vs Abiotic factors 

The living components of an ecosystem are the biotic factors. Some examples of biotic factors are fish, birds, and grass. Biotic factors can also be microscopic living organisms such as bacteria. The non-living components of an ecosystem are the abiotic factors. These include wind, minerals, water, and dirt. 

Look at this picture below and identify the biotic and abiotic factors. 

Biomes 

Biomes are regions of the world with similar climates, animals, and plants.

There are forest biomes, grassland biomes, aquatic biomes, desert biomes, and tundra biomes. 

Watch this video to learn more about biomes!

look at the pictures below and identify which biome they are from the options listed above. 

Looking after our planet

Because everything is connected in an ecosystem, if something disappears, everything else is affected. Because these effects can be very detrimental, we have to be conscious of preventing them. How can we look after our planet and make sure the biodiversity stays diverse? 

To know how we can protect our planet, we must first know what is hurting it. Here are some things that humans are doing that hurts our planet, its ecosystems, and its biodiversity. 

Overpopulation

The number of people on this planet already puts stress on the environment and it is growing.

Overconsumption

The amount of resources such as food, water, and electricity that people use. 

Pollution

Energy production, agriculture, and modern transportation methods all create air pollution. Humans create so much trash from their overconsumption that invades our natural environments. This has harmed many ecosystems and lead to global warming. 

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing

The scale to which food is produced for humans not only causes extensive amounts of waste but also has dire effects on the environment where it is produced. Ecosystems are completely whipped out to create space for a farm. 

What are three ways you can help protect our environment? 

Watch this video to learn how in California the wildlife services are trying to undo humans' effect on forests.