Module 3 Intro

Module 3—Ecosystem Diversity

Explore

Scientists have divided the aquatic environments on Earth into two categories: marine and fresh water. Perform a websearch to find out information about aquatic biomes. Complete ONE of the following activities.

Choose six aquatic biomes that you discovered in your research in Watch and Listen. Identify each aquatic biome as either marine or fresh water, and find a picture or create a diagram to represent the biome. Organize this information using a visual organizer.

OR

List the five marine zones that you discovered in your research in Watch and Listen. Find pictures of species that would live in each of these zones. How have the organisms adapted to the specific abiotic factor in each zone? Organize this information using a visual organizer.

Share your information with other students by posting it in the discussion area.

Read

Starting on page 95 of the textbook, read the section called “Habitats.”  Continue by reading about “Ecological Niche” and “Habitats and Niches within Ecosystems” on pages 97 and 98.

All organisms require specific abiotic factors in order to survive. For example, most animals can’t survive if the temperature is above 45°C. But some bacteria are found living in hot springs with temperatures greater than 100°C. These required abiotic and biotic factors determine a species’ habitat. The location of these habitats will determine a species’ range. An organism living in its habitat has a role to play—it has certain biotic and abiotic needs in order to survive. This is called the organism’s niche.

Self-Check

SC 6. How could you describe your niche?

SC 7. Why can many different organisms live in the same habitat?

SC 8.  An observed species of animal has a very restricted diet; it eats only two types of plants. Explain why this species may have a higher probability of becoming endangered than a species that eats ten species of plants.

SC 9. Give an example of a niche in an aquatic ecosystem and a niche in a terrestrial ecosystem.

Watch and Listen

As you watch the video titled “Survival of the Sea,” think about the ecological niche of the species in the marine ecosystem. What biotic and abiotic requirements do the species have? There are many species living in this same habitat, but each species has its own niche or role in the ecosystem. The niches may overlap but will not be the same. You will use this video to help answer Part B of Try This.

Try This

TR 1. Comparing Biomes and Niches

Part A: Comparing Biomes

You will do this activity in the Module 3: Lesson 4 Assignment.

Part B: Comparing Niches

You will do this activity in the Module 3: Lesson 4 Assignment. The Assignment information is also included here to aid you in doing an Extension activity.

Select two species from the “Survival in the Sea” video. You will create a new Venn diagram to show the ecological niches of the two species. For parts of their niches that are similar, place the information in the area where the two circles overlap. Remember that an organism’s niche includes the following:

• the abiotic factors needed for survival (e.g., shelter, environment, temperature, salt/fresh water, pH, and rocks for camouflage)

• the biotic factors affecting its survival (e.g., predators and prey)

Extension: Can you fit a third species into your Venn diagram? Try.

Click below for a marking guide for the Venn diagram.

TR 2. Thought Lab 3.2: Forest Habitat and Bird Biodiversity

You will do this lab in the Module 3: Lesson 4 Assignment.

Complete this Thought Lab, which is found on page 99 of the textbook. This study compares species richness and abundance in pure and mixed stands of trees. You will attempt to answer this question: How will communities of birds vary between a forest dominated by one tree species and a forest with a variety of tree species?

Biology 20 © 2008 Alberta Education