The chapter focuses on the actual ecosystem and then the community in the ecosystem. The first section starts with identifying abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) parts of the ecosystem. In addition, more detail is given to the cycling of the elements inside the ecosystem that play an important role in the health of the ecosystem. The second section deals with the actual community of organisms found in the ecosystem. Students will identify their specific roles and the relationships that they have with one another.
Topics include a Concept Map of Abiotic and Biotic, Factors in an Ecosystem, Cycles of the Earth, the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle and water cycle, evaporation and precipitation, Mapping Community Roles, the Food Web, producers, consumers and decomposers.
Whole course with all units, or more individual units, available at https://www.teaching-point.net.