Unit 13 Ecosystems

Extra activities:

Name:

Class: Group: Date:

1. Answer this question individually and then discuss it with your classmates: Why can a plant die from
watering it too much?

2. Read the following text about specific relationships and complete the table below.
Interspecific relationships occur between individuals of different species. They can be classified by
the consequences that their relationship has:
Mutual benefit: in this case, both species benefit from the relationship. The relationship can be
permanent or temporary.
Individual benefit: in this type of relationship, only one of the two species that interacts obtains
benefit. It may or may not cause harm to the other individual.
Mutual damage: in this case, both species are affected negatively because they have to compete
for physical resources (space or light) or food (organic matter or mineral salts).

Interspecific relationships
Consequences for species
Characteristics Types Examples
Species A Species B
Mutual benefit Cows cattle egret
+ +
Permanent Lichen
Commensalism Remora - shark
+ 0
Inquilism Climbing plants
Parasitism Ticks - dog
Death of prey Wolf - deer

Interspecific Trees bushes

competition Doves sparrows
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+: beneficial effect; 0: neutral effect; -: damaging effect

3. Read the text and complete it using these words: or, and, on, however, of.

There are many different kinds ecosystems Earth all

them are possible because the variety different environments that

exist. An ecosystem, aquatic terrestrial, is the group biotic

abiotic factors their interrelationships.

, there are two main groups: air-terrestrial ecosystems aquatic

ecosystems. Their characteristics depend the environment where life develops.

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 Ecosystems Unit 13

4. Read the following definition and observe the pictures. Complete each one and, in your own words,
describe how soil is formed.

The soil is the top layer of the Earths surface. It is made up of pieces of rock of different sizes that
have been weathered or eroded, mixed with organic matter, water and air.

a) b) c)

5. Work in groups of 4 or 5 students. Do a research project and make a presentation of an ecosystem

that is in danger. Explain why it is endangered and what can be done to protect it.

6. Look for information about the relationship between predators and their prey. Then, discuss
with your classmates how they would be affected by desertification. Finally, draw a graph of your
conclusions.
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7. Research and write a brief explanation of the main differences between aquatic and terrestrial
ecosystems in terms of temperature and light.

8. Choose at least one plant and one animal from the area where you live and describe their way of
adapting to the habitat.

9. Try to explain if the organisms you chose for the previous activity could live in a completely different
habitat. Give some examples of how they could adapt or not to a new environment.

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