Exploring Ecology: Interactions Within Ecosystems

Biology Grades High School 9:48 Video
Print Lesson Plan Watch Video

Lesson Description

This lesson introduces students to the fundamental principles of ecology, including biotic and abiotic factors, levels of ecological organization, and the interconnectedness of ecosystems.

Video Resource

Ecology introduction | Ecology | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 9:48
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Biotic and Abiotic Factors
  • Levels of Ecological Organization (Individual, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere)
  • Interdependence within Ecosystems

Learning Objectives

  • Define ecology and differentiate between biotic and abiotic factors.
  • Describe the different levels of ecological organization and provide examples of each.
  • Explain how living organisms interact with each other and their environment within an ecosystem.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they think of when they hear the word 'ecology'. Briefly introduce the video and its purpose: to provide a foundation for understanding ecology.
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video "Ecology introduction | Ecology | Khan Academy". Instruct students to take notes on key terms and concepts.
  • Discussion (15 mins)
    Lead a class discussion based on the discussion questions below. Encourage students to share their observations and interpretations of the video's content.
  • Interactive Exercise: Ecosystem Mapping (15 mins)
    Divide students into small groups and assign each group a local ecosystem (e.g., schoolyard, park, pond). Have them create a map of their assigned ecosystem, identifying and labeling biotic and abiotic factors, as well as potential interactions between them.

Interactive Exercises

  • Ecosystem Mapping
    Students create a map of a local ecosystem, identifying and labeling biotic and abiotic factors and their interactions.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some examples of biotic and abiotic factors in your immediate environment?
  • How do the different levels of ecological organization relate to each other?
  • How can changes in abiotic factors affect the biotic factors in an ecosystem? Give an example.
  • Why is it important to study Ecology?

Skills Developed

  • Critical Thinking
  • Observation
  • Collaboration
  • Scientific Communication

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of the following is the best definition of ecology?

Correct Answer: The study of the interactions between living things and their environment.

Question 2:

Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor?

Correct Answer: A mushroom

Question 3:

Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor?

Correct Answer: A rock

Question 4:

What level of ecological organization includes all the living things in a specific area?

Correct Answer: Community

Question 5:

What level of ecological organization includes both the living and non-living things in an area?

Correct Answer: Ecosystem

Question 6:

A group of zebras living together in the same area is an example of a:

Correct Answer: Population

Question 7:

Which of the following includes all ecosystems on Earth?

Correct Answer: Biosphere

Question 8:

Photosynthesis is an interaction between:

Correct Answer: Both biotic and abiotic factors

Question 9:

The amount of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is affected by:

Correct Answer: Only biotic factors

Question 10:

Which of the following is most directly impacted by the gravitational effect of the moon?

Correct Answer: Tides

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The study of how living things interact with each other and their environment is called ________.

Correct Answer: ecology

Question 2:

Living things in an environment are referred to as ________ factors.

Correct Answer: biotic

Question 3:

Non-living things in an environment are referred to as ________ factors.

Correct Answer: abiotic

Question 4:

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area is called a ________.

Correct Answer: population

Question 5:

All the populations of different species living in the same area make up a ________.

Correct Answer: community

Question 6:

A(n) ________ includes all the living and non-living things in an area.

Correct Answer: ecosystem

Question 7:

The ________ is the part of Earth where life exists, including all ecosystems.

Correct Answer: biosphere

Question 8:

________ is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

Correct Answer: photosynthesis

Question 9:

An individual organism is the most ________ level of ecological organization.

Correct Answer: basic

Question 10:

The sun provides ________ factors to Earth

Correct Answer: abiotic

Educational Standards

B.LS2:Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics (LS2) B.LS2.6:Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.

Teaching Materials

Download ready-to-use materials for this lesson:

Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz
Add to Google Classroom

User Actions

Sign in to save this lesson plan to your favorites.

Sign In

Share This Lesson

Related Lesson Plans