Ecosystem Facts for 5th Graders

What Is an Ecosystem? – Ecosystem Definition for Kids

The word ecosystem is defined as an area where organisms interact with their environment to create a system of life. Ecosystems involve both living (animals, plants and organisms) and non-living factors (sun, temperature, rocks etc). Ecosystems support food chains and biodiversity, which are principal to our survival. 

Did you know that ecosystems are of various sizes? They can be found in huge areas like the ocean and small areas like a rock in your garden. 

Ecosystem Facts for 5th Graders

Parts of an Ecosystem – Living and Non-living Components

There are 2 parts of an ecosystem that heavily rely on one another:

1. Biotic components of an ecosystem are living organisms like humans, animals, plants and algae. An ecosystem is interconnected, with organisms providing sustenance to one another through different processes.
2. Abiotic components of an ecosystem are known as the non living things. They are very important to the biotic components, for example living things rely heavily on water, wind, weather, sun, and soil. Without these factors living things would not be able to survive on this planet. 

Types of Ecosystems – Examples of Ecosystems for Kids

There are various types of ecosystems that exist on land, for example:

1. Grassland ecosystem: This ecosystem is found in areas with abundance of rain and large animals.
2. Forest ecosystem: This ecosystem consists of forests with a diverse range of animals and plants, with heavy rainfall mostly all around the year, due to diversity of plants that thrive in wet conditions. Globally forests contain close to 220,000 vascular plants. 
3. Desert ecosystem: This ecosystem has low rainfall and is home to few species of plants and animals that can tolerate the high temperature of this habitat.  
4. Mountain and Tundra ecosystem : this ecosystem has cold temperatures and the biodiversity living there is scarce in number due to the harsh environment. 

Aquatic ecosystems have different types as well:

1. Freshwater ecosystem: This ecosystem consists of lakes, ponds, and river streams. They are very important to provide sustenance and drinking water to animals and humans alike. 
2. Marine ecosystem: This is the largest ecosystem that exists in salt water. It covers roughly 70% of the earth and the biodiversity present is versatile from coral reefs to the world’s largest mammal, the blue whale, to small creatures like shrimps.

How Do Ecosystems Work? – Food Chains and Balance

The food chain is an interlinked process in which the transfer of energy from one living thing to another occurs, while a food web is all the food chains that are present in an ecosystem. To understand this concept, let’s break it down: 

• First, plants and algae are producers that utilise non-living sources like water and the sun’s energy to go through a process called photosynthesis. This process creates energy inside plants that is later on consumed by herbivore animals. 
• Second, animals do not make their own food so they are classified as consumers. They either eat plants or animals to obtain nourishment and energy. They also use non-living sources like water and the sun for sustenance. 
• Third, organisms like bacteria and fungi are decomposers. They break down dead matter like plants and animals into carbon and nitrogen which are important for life.

Changes in Ecosystems – What Can Affect an Ecosystem?

There are various reasons that can change an ecosystem:

1. When climate changes, so does the ecosystem present on earth. For example, due to global warming animals like the polar bears become endangered, this animal lives in cold temperatures and its body is made for the environment. When the weather starts to become warmer, the ecosystem present in cold areas starts to die. Melting ice caps mean lesser habitat for polar bears to hunt and live, while the water level increases threatening the species survival.

2. Extinction through hunting or removal occurs when humans extensively hunt species of animals or destroy their habitat. For example, the dodo bird faced extinction between 1662-1681 after being massively hunted in its habitat. The consequence of an entire species being removed from the food web is that predators that relied on dodo birds had to find new sources of food. Considering that this bird was native to the area and huge in number, many predators would face the difficulty of finding new resources while trying to survive human hunting.

3. Natural disasters like floods, fires, droughts, tsunamis etc. can fundamentally alter an ecosystem. Major natural disasters can wipe entire food webs and habitats endangering life. Ecosystems can recover from minor disasters and the environment adapts to circumstances, trees grow back and animals repopulate eventually. 

Why Are Ecosystems Important? – Why Should We Care?

Ecosystems are important because they provide us with food sources, raw materials and  the ability to survive on this planet. Without non-living factors of an ecosystem we would not exist, without living factors of an ecosystem, humans would not have food supply. Ecosystems provide us with clean air and regulate the climate, which is vital for our survival. 

How Can We Protect Ecosystems? – Ecosystem Conservation for Kids

We can protect our ecosystem through these processes:

1. By taking part in plantations in your area, you can support local wildlife by providing them a habitat and improve the overall air quality. Plantations are very fun and you get to learn a lot about the biodiversity present around you and how you can protect it. 
2. If you find an insect inside your house, you should try not to kill it. Instead, try to relocate it to your garden or outside. Insects are vital to our environment due to processes like pollination.  
3. Sustainability is very important, you should try to purchase less toys and even if you do, your old toys should be given to someone else who can reuse them. You should follow the principle of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” as it benefits the planet. 
4. You should not litter anywhere, instead dispose of your trash properly. Throwing trash around can harm animals as they can choke on plastic, get trapped and die due to it. 

Fun Ecosystem Facts for 5th Graders

• Did you know salt water covers over 70% of the earth?
• Did you know that Jerboas live in the desert?
• Are you aware that deserts can be hot and cold as well?
• Forests contain over 60,000 species of plants. 
• ⅓ of the Earth has suffered deforestation. 
• Insects like bees and butterflies are important pollinators.
• Humans produce 460 million tons of plastic per year. 

Conclusion – What Should You Remember About Ecosystems?

Ecosystems are vital to us, no matter where we live, in cities or mountains. Protecting and supporting our native biodiversity is important for our survival and we should always respect nature. You should try to participate in activities like plantations to support your planet and learn as much as you can!

Frequently Asked Questions

External Links

• National Geographic – Ecosystem Definition for Kids
• Wikipedia – Ecosystem Overview
• National Geographic – Five Major Biomes
• Wikipedia – Marine Ecosystems
• Wikipedia – Grasslands