Last week we learned about habitats. This week we go deeper. An ecosystem is a habitat plus all the living things in it. It also includes non-living things like sun, water, air, and soil.
In an ecosystem, everything works together. Plants use sunlight to make their own food. We call plants producers because they produce, or make, food.
Animals cannot make their own food. They must eat plants or other animals. We call animals consumers because they consume, or eat, food.
Living things in an ecosystem depend on each other. A rabbit needs grass to eat. A bee needs flowers for nectar. Flowers need bees to spread pollen. A bird needs a tree for its nest. Everything is connected!
1. What is an ecosystem?
2. Why are plants called producers?
3. Why are animals called consumers?
4. Name one way two living things depend on each other.
Write what each word means in your own words.
Sort these into the chart: oak tree, sunlight, rabbit, rock, grass, water, fox, soil, flower, air
| Producers (plants) | Consumers (animals) | Non-Living Things |
|---|---|---|
| Statement | T | F |
|---|---|---|
| An ecosystem has living and non-living parts. | T | F |
| Animals are producers. | T | F |
| Plants use sunlight to make food. | T | F |
| Living things depend on each other. | T | F |
| Soil and water are living things. | T | F |
| A consumer eats plants or other animals. | T | F |
Draw one example of each ecosystem part.
A producer
A consumer
A non-living thing
How does a bee depend on a flower? How does a flower depend on a bee?
Word Bank:
ecosystem producers consumers sunlight depend non-living
1. A habitat plus all its living things is an ________________.
2. Plants are ________________ because they make their own food.
3. Animals are ________________ because they eat food.
4. Plants need ________________ to make food.
5. Sun, water, air, and soil are ________________ things.
6. Living things ________________ on each other to survive.
Finish each sentence in the chart.
| Living Thing | What It Depends On | Why |
|---|---|---|
| rabbit | ||
| bird | ||
| flower | ||
| YOU |
What are two ways you depend on plants every day?
Write one new thing you learned about ecosystems today.