Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass. Ecosystems are communities of living things and their non-living environment. Matter cycles through ecosystems in different forms.
Matter in Ecosystems
Matter: Anything that takes up space and has mass. Ecosystems: A community of living things and their non-living environment. Cycling: The movement of matter through an ecosystem as it changes form.
Concepts:
What do you think is the most important matter in ecosystems?
- Water
- Soil
- Animals
- Plants
- Air
The carbon cycle recycles carbon between plants and animals. The nitrogen cycle moves nitrogen between living things, the atmosphere and soil. The water cycle recycles water between the atmosphere, land and oceans.
Fun facts:
Draw / write: What do you think are the benefits of having different types of matter in ecosystems?
Draw / write: How do different types of matter interact with each other in an ecosystem?
What have you learned about the types of matter in different ecosystems?
How have your ideas about matter in ecosystems changed as you have learned more?