Exploring Amazing Ecosystems Around Us

Discovering Nature's Communities Grade 5 Science Adventure

What Do You Think?

What is an ecosystem? Think about your neighborhood - what living and non-living things do you see?

What is an Ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a community where living and non-living things work together Living things: plants, animals, insects, bacteria Non-living things: water, air, soil, sunlight, rocks Everything is connected and depends on each other

Living vs Non-Living in Ecosystems

{"left":"Plants (trees, flowers, grass)\nAnimals (birds, fish, mammals)\nInsects and spiders\nBacteria and fungi","right":"Water (rivers, lakes, rain)\nAir and wind\nSoil and rocks\nSunlight and temperature"}

Forest Ecosystem Food Web

Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem

Hot and wet all year round More species than any other ecosystem Four layers: forest floor, understory, canopy, emergent layer Home to jaguars, toucans, poison dart frogs, and millions of insects

Ocean Ecosystem

Covers 70% of Earth's surface Different zones from surface to deep sea Coral reefs are like underwater cities Home to whales, dolphins, sharks, and tiny plankton

The Biosphere: Earth's Living Layer

The biosphere is where all life on Earth exists Includes land, water, and air where living things are found Stretches from deep ocean floors to high in the atmosphere All ecosystems are parts of the bigger biosphere Like Earth's living blanket that covers our planet

Desert Ecosystem

Very little rainfall each year Plants and animals adapted to save water Cacti store water in their stems Animals like camels, lizards, and desert foxes have special adaptations

Ecosystem Detective Game

Look at the clues and guess the ecosystem! Clue 1: I'm very cold and covered in ice Clue 2: Polar bears and penguins live here Clue 3: There are no trees, just ice and snow

Remember This Important Message

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than they seek." - John Muir Every ecosystem is important and needs our protection!