Lesson: Earth and the Ecosystem

What is Earth and the Ecosystem?

Earth is the third planet from the Sun and is the only known planet to support life. The ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, including air, water, and soil. Ecosystems can range from small ponds to large forests and even the entire planet.

Parts of an Ecosystem

An ecosystem consists of two main components:

• Biotic components: These are the living organisms, such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.
• Abiotic components: These are the non-living parts, including sunlight, temperature, air, and minerals.

Types of Ecosystems

There are two main types of ecosystems:

• Terrestrial ecosystems: These are land-based ecosystems, such as forests, deserts, and grasslands.
• Aquatic ecosystems: These include both freshwater ecosystems (like lakes and rivers) and marine ecosystems (like oceans and coral reefs).