Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Office of the Vice President for Campuses
BANSUD ORIENTAL MINDORO CAMPUS

Lesson 7
Ecosystem
Introduction

Living organisms cannot survive away from their non-living environment, as the latter
provide essential materials and energy needed for survival. This complex relationship
between the biotic community and abiotic components forms a balanced interconnected
system known as an ecosystem. In this module we will delve into the complex system that
works together to sustain the bubble of life; ranging from the living organisms to the
nonliving components that helps maintains the balance on earth. As you delve deeper, you
will be guided through the vital roles played by biotic and abiotic factors, the levels of
ecological organization, as well as the various ecosystems found in both land and water.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, the learners’ are expected to:
a. Identify and differentiate the levels of organization and different factors affecting the
ecosystem
b. appreciate the various types of environments and ecosystems, and
c. demonstrate understanding of ecological relationships by illustrating the interactions
between biotic and abiotic components within various ecosystems.

Related Terms:
 Biology - in general is the study of living things.

 Ecology - The word eco comes from the Greek word oikos, which means house.
Scientists who study ecology are called ecologists. The branch of biology that deals with
the study of the interactions among organisms and with their environment is known as
ecology. It explains how living organisms affect each other and the world they live in.

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals and other organisms, as well
as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life. It varies greatly in size from
a small pond to a large forest or a sea. The term “Ecosystem” was first coined by
[Link], an English Botanist, in 1935.

Levels of organization

Ecologists have organized the interactions an organism takes part in into different levels
according to complexity.

1. Organism
is any form of life. An individual living organism that is made of cells, uses
energy, reproduces, responds, grows, and [Link] organism can also be thought of
as an individual member of a species. A wide range of variety of organisms is present on
the earth—from single celled amoeba to huge sharks, from microscopic blue green algae
to massive banyan trees.

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2. Species
A group of organisms that resemble one another in appearance, behaviour,
chemistry and genetic structure form a species. Organisms of the same species can breed
with one another and produce fertile offspring under natural conditions. For instance, all
human beings (Homo sapiens) resemble one another in their body structure, body
systems and they all have similar genetic structure. They are thus grouped together under
the species sapiens.

3. Population
A group of organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the
same given area at the same given time.

4. Community
all the populations in an ecosystem. Populations of various species occupying a
particular area and interacting with each other make up a [Link], a community
comprises several species interacting with each other.

5. Ecosystem
is a community of organisms involved in a dynamic network of biological,
chemical and physical interactions between themselves and with the nonliving
components. Such interactions sustain the system and allow it to respond to changing
[Link] an ecosystem includes the community, the nonliving components and
their interactions.

6. Biosphere
Biosphere is the area of earth that supports living organisms. Biosphere supports
living organisms in a large variety of situations such as various climatic conditions, soils,
plants, and animals.

FACTORS INFLUENCING PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE

Two major components in the ecosystem:
 Biotic
 Abiotic

ABIOTIC
Abiotic factors are the non-living components of a habitat which include amount of
water and oxygen, temperature, amount of sunlight and water pressure. It also includes light,
acidity, radiation, humidity, temperature and all organic and inorganic components of the
ecosystem.

List of abiotic factors

1. Soil
Soil filters our water, provides essential nutrients to our forests and crops, and helps
regulate the Earth's temperature as well as many of the important greenhouse gases.

2. Light

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Light is the primary source of energy to almost all ecosystems.

3. Temperature
Temperature influences the distribution of plants and animals.

Example:
 The blooming of flowers either in the day or night is due to the temperature difference
between day and night.
 Some fruit trees require cold temperature so as to blossom in the spring.

4. Water
Water is essential for life and all the biotic components of the ecosystem are directly
dependent on water for survival.

5. Atmospheric gasses
Oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide:
 All organisms require oxygen for respiration.
 Carbon dioxide is used by green plants to make food by the process of photosynthesis.
 Nitrogen is necessary for all plants and atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by nitrogen fixing
bacteria through the action of lightning.

BIOTIC

Biotic are all the living organisms that inhabit an [Link] biotic factors of an
ecosystem are all the living organisms that affect other organisms in an ecosystem and
include animals, plants, microorganisms, dead organisms, and even animal waste.

TYPES OF BIOTIC ORGANISM:

1. Producers (autotrophs)
They are also known as autotrophs; the prefix auto- means ''self''. This is indicative that
producers make their own energy, which is aided by the use of inorganic materials and an
energy source. It is an organism that gets its energy from an abiotic source is called a
producer.

Photosynthesis - the process by which plants change the energy in sunlight to kinds of
energy that can be stored for later use.

Example: Plants, Algae, Phytoplankton

There are two major classes of producers

a. Photoautotrophs
They use sunlight for energy and carbon dioxide for carbon, mainly using
chlorophyll to capture photons.
 Examples: Green plants, green algae, and some bacteria.
b. Chemoautotrophs

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They use chemical agents like hydrogen, iron, and sulfur for energy, often found
where plants can't grow, like ocean bottoms or acidic hot springs, and are involved in
nitrogen fixation.
 Examples: Methanogens. They are the microorganism which are capable of making the
methane gas.
SUN
The primary source of energy, which is utilized by plants to produce food and is
required for productivity and energy flow in the ecosystem.

2. Consumers
 Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other organism for energy.
They directly or indirectly depend on food provided by producers.

4 types of consumers
1. Herbivores - are plant eating animals
2. Carnivores - are animals that only eat other animals thus they are also known as meat
eaters
3. Omnivores - eat both plants and animals.
4. Decomposers (detritivores) - are organisms that feed on waste products or dead organic
material. They can be thought of as the recyclers of the ecosystem. Examples are bacteria,
fungi, and mites.

Types of ecosystem
1. Artificial Ecosystem
 Man made ecosystem – operated and maintained by man himself
2. Natural Ecosystem
a. Terrestrial Ecosystem - are exclusively land-based ecosystems. The word “biome”
may also be used to describe terrestrial ecosystems which extend across a large
geographic area
b. Aquatic Ecosystem - are ecosystems present in a body of water.

4 Major types of Terrestrial Environment

1. DESERT
A very dry, either hot or cold, found predominantly to the north and south of the
tropical band. Deserts are ecosystems with hardy inhabitants, able to survive in an
environment that receives less than 25cm of rainfall annually. The desert is home to plants
that lie dormant until it rains, and then they bloom and spread their seeds, which then lie
dormant until the next rainfall. It is also home to plants capable of storing their own water,
such as cactus.

Some plants have developed tap roots. These tap roots can extend to thirty meters below
the surface to draw water out of the water table. Other plants have shallow roots to catch
water as soon as it lands. Desert sand is well drained and water does not sit around on top.
This means water can soak into the ground very fast. Many desert animals survive the
searing heat by burrowing or living in caves. These animals are largely nocturnal, staying
underground during the heat of the day and foraging for food at night when it is cool.

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2. FOREST ECOSYSTEMS
These ecosystems have an abundance of flora or plants and hence in these ecosystems
a large number of organisms live in a small space. This means that these ecosystems have a
high density of living organisms. These ecosystems are classified according to their climate
type as tropical, temperate or boreal i.e; tropical evergreen forest, tropical deciduous forest,
temperate evergreen forest, temperate deciduous forest and taiga.

EXAMPLE:
a. Tropical Rainforest
 Tropical rain forests are home to a great diversity of animals. The climate is hot with
excessive rainfall, and vegetation grows in several layers from the forest floor to the
canopy. Rare plants and animals like the largest orchid, largest butterfly, the longest
lizard, largest pigeon and the smallest parrot ever registered live in these forests.
Tropical rainforests receive 160 to 400 inches of rainfall per year and the rain can be
very heavy. To adapt to this, most leaves of trees have pointed tips and are very
slippery. This is to help the rain glide off the leaves so they do not cause damage.

b. Deciduous Forest
 Vegetation composed primarily of broad-leaved trees that shed all their leaves during
one season. Found in three middle-latitude regions with
a temperate climate characterized by a winter season and year-round precipitation
Snails, slugs, insects, and spiders are common inhabitants of the deciduous forest,
and many cold-blooded vertebrates, such as snakes, frogs, salamanders, and turtles,
are also present. Birds are represented by warblers,
flycatchers, vireos, thrushes, woodpeckers, hawks, and owls. Prominent mammals
include mice, moles, chipmunks, rabbit, weasels, foxes, bears, and deer.

3. GRASSLANDS
Windy, partly dry sea of grass with few trees, including tropical savanna, prairie,
steppe, pampas. Found throughout the Indian sub-continent, and surrounding the areas of
tropical rain forest in equatorial Africa, South America and Australia. In a grassland
ecosystem, many stands of trees are eradicated by brush fires and dry periods (though single
trees and a few tree stands do survive). Fire is a common occurrence in grassland ecosystems.
Because of this, the grassland biome is characterize by short or tall grasses and some small
shrubs, but no trees. For example, though the parts of plants that are above ground, such as
stems and leaves, are destroyed by fire, their root systems are able to sprout following the fire
event. In addition, some plants produce seeds that require a fire event to begin the
germination process. Many animals that are found in grassland biomes are grazers such as
pronghorn antelope. Other animals, such as prairie dogs, live in underground burrows that
allow them to spend time in a cool environment rather than in the hot and windy conditions
above ground.

4. TUNDRA
 Cool, treeless, and dry. Found between the coniferous forest and the permanent ice-
cap of the North polar region.
 The term “tundra” most commonly denotes polar areas, but at lower latitudes, tundra-
like communities known as alpine tundra may be found at high elevations.

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 As with deserts, a harsh environment characterize ecosystems in the tundra. In the

snow-covered, windswept, treeless tundra, the soil is frozen year-round, a condition
known as permafrost.
 Many lichens, mosses, and small shrubs flourish in the arctic tundra. You might find
polar bears, lemmings, caribou, and arctic hares in the tundra.

Major types of Aquatic environments

1. FRESHWATER
 Freshwater biomes are large communities of plants and animals which survive on water
with less than 1% salt concentration. 3% of the earth's water is fresh and they are very
important for survival on Earth. Types of freshwater biomes include ponds, lakes,
streams, rivers, and some wetlands.

3 basic kinds of freshwater ecosystems

1. Lentic
2. Lotic
3. Wetland

a. Lentic
 The lentic ecosystems are slow-moving or still water like ponds or lakes. Deeper
waters, such as lakes, may have layers of ecosystems, influenced by light. Ponds,
due to their having more light penetration, are able to support a diverse range of
water plants.

b. Lotic
 A fast-moving water. Examples include rivers, streams, brooks and springs. Here,
the oxygen level is higher due to the continually moving waters of the current and
the water is clearer.

c. Wetlands
 Wetlands are areas of standing water that support aquatic plants. Marshes, swamps,
and bogs are all considered wetlands.
 Hydrophytes - Plant species that adapt to the very moist and humid conditions.
These include pond lilies, cattails, etc.
 Wetlands have the highest species diversity of all ecosystems. Many species of
amphibians, reptiles, birds (such as ducks and waders), and furbearers can be
found in wetlands.

2. MARINE WATER
 Marine regions cover about three quarters (3/4) of the Earth's surface and include oceans,
coral reefs, and estuaries. Marine algae supply much of the world's oxygen supply and
take in a huge amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The evaporation of the seawater
provides rainwater for the land.
 They encompass not only the ocean floor and surface but also tidal zones, estuaries, salt
marshes and saltwater swamps, mangroves and coral reefs.

Examples:

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a. Estuaries
 Estuaries are areas where freshwater streams or rivers merge with the ocean.
 Microflora like algae, and macroflora, such as seaweeds, marsh grasses, and
mangrove trees (only in the tropics), can be found here. Estuaries support a diverse
fauna, including a variety of worms, oysters, crabs, and waterfowl.
 Some of animals in estuaries have a very unique ability to survive in both fresh water
and salt water

b. Mangrove
 refers to both a habitat in the intertidal zone and to the specialized, salt-tolerant trees
and shrubs that grow there.

c. Coral Reefs
 A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Reefs
are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. Most
coral reefs are built from stony corals, whose polyps cluster in groups.

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ATIVITY

ECO-Match

The class will be divided into four groups. Each group will choose an ecosystem (e.g.,
forest, desert, freshwater). Identify as many biotic and abiotic components within it as you
can. On a yellow paper, create a labeled illustration showing how these components interact.
Use arrows and brief descriptions. Make sure your work is clear, creative, and organized.
You will be given only three (3) minutes to finish the activity. Be ready to present and
explain your output to the class. Clap your hands once you have finished the activity.

Criteria Excellent(5) Good(4) Satisfactory (3)

Correctly identifies 5
Identifies 4 biotic Identifies 3 biotic
or more biotic and 3
Accuracy and 2 abiotic and 1 abiotic
or more abiotic
components correctly correctly
components
The group finishes The group finishes
The group finishes
the activity within the activity JUST
Time Management AFTER the time
the time limit of 3 AFTER the time
limit
minutes. limit
Teamwork & All members actively Most members Some members
Collaboration participate and actively participate participate.

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collaborate well. well.

ASSESSMENT
Instruction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. What is an ecosystem?
a) A group of organisms of the same species
b) A community of organisms and their interactions with non-living components
c) A single living organism
d) A specific area inhabited by a single species
Answer: b) A community of organisms and their interactions with non-living components
2. Who coined the term “ecosystem”?
a) Charles Darwin
b) A.G. Tansley
c) Carl Linnaeus
d) Alfred Wallace
Answer: b) A.G. Tansley
3. Which of the following best describes a species?
a) A group of organisms that cannot interbreed
b) A group of organisms that resemble one another in appearance and behavior
c) A community of interacting organisms
d) An individual organism
Answer: b) A group of organisms that resemble one another in appearance and behavior
4. Which is an example of a biotic factor?
a) Temperature
b) Soil composition
c) Plants
d) Water pressure
Answer: c) Plants
5. What do producers do in an ecosystem?
a) They consume other organisms for energy
b) They produce their own energy using sunlight or chemicals
c) They break down dead organisms
d) They interact with the abiotic components
Answer: b) They produce their own energy using sunlight or chemicals
6. Which of the following is a characteristic of herbivores?
a) They only eat meat
b) They consume both plants and animals
c) They primarily eat plants
d) They decompose organic material
Answer: c) They primarily eat plants
7. What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
a) To produce energy from the sun

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b) To break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients

c) To eat plants
d) To consume other animals
Answer: b) To break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients
8. Which of the following is a feature of a desert ecosystem?
a) High annual rainfall
b) Dense vegetation
c) Limited water and extreme temperature fluctuations
d) Constantly warm temperatures
Answer: c) Limited water and extreme temperature fluctuations
9. Which type of forest is known for having broad-leaved trees that shed their leaves
each year?
a) Tropical rainforest
b) Deciduous forest
c) Coniferous forest
d) Taiga
Answer: b) Deciduous forest
10. What is the primary source of energy for producers in an ecosystem?
a) Water
b) Sunlight
c) Oxygen
d) Nitrogen
Answer: b) Sunlight

VALUES OF INTEGRATION
University Core Value: Respect for Biodiversity

Explanation:
Respect for Biodiversity means recognizing every species—from microscopic algae
to towering trees—as irreplaceable threads in Earth’s tapestry of life. It involves
understanding that each level of biological organization has its role: individual organisms
form populations, populations interact in communities, and communities plus their
environment make up ecosystems.

Connection
By respecting biodiversity, students will be motivated to accurately distinguish
organisms, species, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere—seeing each
as a vital component of ecological complexity.A respect-based mindset also encourages
learners to value ecosystems not merely as “biomes,” but as unique homes of countless
interdependent species.

Reflection:
1. Which local ecosystem do you feel most connected to, and how can you show respect for
its biodiversity?

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2. What small research or citizen-science project could you undertake to deepen your
understanding of biotic–abiotic interactions?
3. How does valuing biodiversity at every organizational level (from organism to biosphere)
influence your choices as a consumer, student, or community member?

REFERENCES

• Ecology (12.1-Ecology) [PDF].

• National Geographic Education. Terrestrial ecosystem.
• Reinbold, J. (2018, March 13). Lentic & lotic ecosystems. Sciencing.
• Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology. SAR1614 [PDF].
• Singh, A. K., & Singh, D. Ecosystem. Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi.
• [Link]. What is a terrestrial ecosystem? Definition, examples & types.
• WonderWorks Online. Freshwater ecosystems.

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