Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION VII – CENTRAL VISAYAS
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY

Supplementary Learning Module for

Senior High School Learners

Grade Levels: Grades 11 (ABM, GAS,

HUMSS)
Core Subject: Earth and Life Science
Semester: First Quarter: 2 Week: 7

Learning Competency:
S11/12LT-IVhj- 29: Categorize the different biotic potential and environmental
resistance (e.g., diseases, availability of food, and predators) that affect population
explosion

Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe the different terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
2.Categorize biotic potential and environmental resistance that affect population
explosion
3. Explain how human activities affect the natural ecosystem
4. Prepare an action plan containing mitigation measures to address current
environmental concerns and challenges in the community

Title: Ecosystems
INTRODUCTION

An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as

well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life –there is
interdependence for survival.
Ecosystems contain biotic or living, parts, as well as abiotic factors, or nonliving
parts. Biotic factors include plants, animals, and other organisms while abiotic
factors include the soil, minerals, air, water and sunlight. They all work together. If
there isn't enough light or water or if the soil doesn't have the right nutrients, the
plants will die. If the plants die, animals that depend on them will die. If the animals
that depend on the plants die, any animals that depend on those animals will die.
All the parts in an ecosystem work together to achieve balance. A healthy
ecosystem has lots of species and is less likely to be damaged by human
interaction, natural disasters and climate changes. Ecosystems have no particular
size. An ecosystem can be as large as a desert or as small as a tree.
Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including
humans, and their physical environment; it seeks to understand the vital
connections between plants and animals and the world around them. Ecology also
provides information about the benefits of ecosystems and how we can use Earth’s
resources in ways that leave the environment healthy for future generations.

Aquatic Ecosystems – Oceans, Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Coral Reefs

Terrestrial Ecosystems – Rainforests, Grassland, Deserts

Based on the pictures, how would you compare aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems?
What are their similarities and differences?

PRE- TEST

1. Along a food chain, the role of __________________________ is to help return

or recycle the primary chemical compounds of organisms back to the chain: carbon,
hydrogen, nitrogen, and other minor compounds.
A. prey (deer, water buffaloes) C. decomposers (bacteria, fungus)
B. consumers (lions, tigers) D. producers (plants, trees)

2. A system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with its

environment.
A. Ecology B. Ecosystem C. Community D. Terrarium
3. The branch of Biology dealing with the relations and interactions between
organisms and their environment
A. Botany B. Biology C. Ecology D. Zoology

4. A series of organisms interrelated in their feeding habits, the smallest being fed
upon by a larger one.
A. Food Necklace B. Food Chain C. Food web D. Food
Rope

5. An ecosystem thrives with biotic and abiotic component parts. An example of

an abiotic part of an ecosystem is __________.
A. micro-bacteria B. fungus C. minerals D. decaying plants

6. Carbon is an integral part of an ecosystem. It is cycled throughout the ecosystem

as it is used and then reused. It is necessary for all life to exist. Carbon dioxide is
used by plants in the process of _________ .
A. respiration B. photosynthesis C. transpiration D.
decomposition

7. Another very important cycle is the Water Cycle. All living things need water to
live. This cycle has four main processes. The two processes that return water to the
earth are _____.
A. evaporation and condensation C. condensation and precipitation
B. transpiration and condensation D. evaporation and transpiration

8. Pollution can cause problems within any ecosystem. The pollutants can enter this
ecosystem by combining with the water vapor in the air. Their effect is felt when they
become ________.
A. basic and cannot be decomposed C. acidic and cannot be decomposed
B. basic and increase plant growth D. acidic and destroy the ecosystem

9. Some living things depend on each other in a very close relationship, which lasts
overtime. For example, lichens are a growth form that occurs when fungi and algae
live together. The fungus absorbs nutrient for the alga while the alga
photosynthesizes providing carbohydrates for the fungus. What is this relationship
called?
A. competition B. parasitism C. mutualism D. commensalism

10. A salamander hides under the bark, fungi grows on the rotting log and other
forest dwelling organisms use the hollow core as a home. How should you consider
this rotting decaying log?
A. environment B. ecological subsystem C. habitat D.
ecosystem

ENGAGE

Activity 1. Ecosystems Around Us

1. Take a picture of an ecosystem within your community.

2. Explain why you consider it as an ecosystem.

3. Classify the ecosystem as aquatic or terrestrial.

4. Identify the biotic and abiotic factors.

5. Explain how the components of your chosen ecosystem ensure balance and
survival.

EXPLORE

How do components of an ecosystem interact?

Interactions Between Abiotic and Biotic

Living organisms adapt to their biotic environment to survive. Mammals in cold

environments need thick fur to stay warm. Reptiles sit on hot rocks in the sunlight to
warm their bodies. Animals such as termites, ants and rabbits dig burrows in the
ground for shelter.

One of the most critical interactions in an ecosystem between the biotic and abiotic
environment is photosynthesis, the base chemical reaction that drives most life on
earth. Plants and algae use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to create the energy
they need to grow and live via photosynthesis. An important by-product of
photosynthesis is oxygen, which animals need to breathe.

Plants and algae also absorb the essential vitamins and minerals they need to live
from their environment. Animals eat plants and algae and absorb these vitamins and
minerals. Predators eat other animals and obtain the energy and nutrients from them.
This is how nutrients cycle from the abiotic environment through the biotic world.
 https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/ecosystems

Interactions Between Organisms

There are six types of species interactions that occur between organisms in an
ecosystem:

Mutualism -is when two organisms both help one another in a form of
interdependence. For example, the ants and the acacia tree form a symbiotic
relationship of mutualism. The ants benefit by living in the acacia tree, and the tree
benefits when the ants consume the insects that eat the leaves of the trees.
https://phys.org/news/2016-08-long-standing-scientific-theory-ant-genomics.html

Parasitism- is a relationship in which one organism is helped while the other is harmed.
An example is the tape worm. The tape worm obtains its nutrients while residing within
the host, while the host is harmed because the tape worm absorbs all of the nutrients.

https://sciencing.com/facts

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/scientists-say-parasite
Predation- is a form of interaction between two organisms of unlike species in which
one of them acts as predator that captures, kills and feeds on the other organism that
serves as the prey.

http://weirdcooldumb.com/competition-the-catalyst-of-greatness/

Competition- is the struggle between two organisms for the same resources within an
environment. Resources are components of the environment that are required for
survival and reproduction such as food, water, shelter, light, territory, and substrate.
Members of the same species may also compete for mates.

Commensalism- a kind of relationship involving

two species interacting with each other with one
species benefiting and the other unaffected.
(jellyfish and fish)

Cooperation - the process where groups of

organisms ( (such as bees, ants) work or act together for common or mutual benefits.
Activity 2. Interactions in the Ecosystem

Complete the table below by writing the required pieces of information.

Interactions Effect on Population Density Examples

of the Organisms Involved ( not provided by this
module)
Mutualism Increase in population densities Flowers and bees
of both organisms.

Competition

Parasitism

Predation

Commensalism

Cooperation

The Food Web

 https://www.pinterest.ph/

Food web is an important conceptual tool for illustrating the feeding relationships
among species within a community, revealing species interactions and community
structure, and understanding the dynamics of energy transfer in an ecosystem.

The fundamental purpose of food webs is to describe feeding relationship among

species in a community. Food webs can be constructed to describe the species
interactions. All species in the food webs can be distinguished into basal species
(autotrophs, such as plants), intermediate species (herbivores and intermediate level
carnivores,) or top predators (high level carnivores).

These feeding groups are referred as trophic levels. Basal species occupy the lowest
trophic level as primary producer. They convert inorganic chemical and use solar
energy to generate chemical energy. The second trophic level consists of herbivores.
These are first consumers. The remaining trophic levels include carnivores that
consume animals at trophic levels below them. Grouping all species into different
functional groups or tropic levels helps us simplify and understand the relationships
among these species.

(taken from -https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/food-web-concept-and-

applications-84077181/)
Activity 3. Making a Food Web

Construct your own food web in one particular ecosystem such as Oceans, Rivers,
Lakes, Streams, Coral Reefs, Rainforests, Grassland, Deserts. Identify first the
organisms involved in your chosen ecosystem. Then establish feeding relationships
among them.

Biogeochemical Cycles in the Ecosystem

The three main cycles of an ecosystem are the water cycle, the carbon cycle and the
nitrogen cycle. These three cycles working in balance are responsible for carrying
away waste materials and replenishing the ecosystem with the nutrients necessary
to sustain life.
https://www.slideserve.com/damian-snow/matter-cycles-through-ecosystems

Activity 4. Unified Matter Cycles in One

Combine all the matter cycles of the ecosystem in one diagram.

EXPLAIN

Biotic Potential and Environmental Resistance

1. The rate of population growth is dependent on BIOTIC POTENTIAL and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESISTANCE.

a. Biotic potential measures how well a species has adapted to survive (by defense
mechanisms, resistance to adverse conditions, migration, and seed dispersion)

b. Environmental resistance is adverse biotic and abiotic factors that raise the death
rate of a population. Example: predators, parasites, unfavorable temperature, and lack
of water.

2. The combination of the biotic and abiotic factors determines the CARRYING
CAPACITY of an ecosystem. Carrying capacity is the optimal maximum density of a
population can be supported by a defined space. If the population approaches or
exceeds the carrying capacity, competition for resources will set limits to the
population density.

3. Population explosion is a result when all conditions favorable to the population

occurs for an extended period of time.

Biotic Potential and Environmental Resistance generally come to an equilibrium.

 Dynamics of Population Growth in an Ecosystem

Carrying capacity is the maximum population of a given species that a certain

ecosystem can sustain indefinitely without being degraded. Biotic potential of
organisms makes the population increase while environmental resistance limits the
population on growing relentlessly.

Activity 5. Dynamics of Ecosystem

Write an essay (15 sentences) describing the effects of biotic potential and
environmental resistance to population growth.

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
ELABORATE

Ecosystems Change Over Time

Ecological Succession- is the gradual change in an ecosystem in which one biological

community is replaced by another.

https://www.toppr.com/content/story/amp/biotic-succession

How Human Activities Affect the Ecosystem

There are many factors that can threaten ecosystems: climate change, pollution,
habitat destruction, overexploitation, and introduction of invasive species. More than
7 billion people worldwide are sharing resources and contributing to activities such as
overfishing/ overhunting, poaching, logging, mining, agriculture, genetic engineering,
plastic production, production of carbon and other pollutants, urban development
which negatively affect and destroy ecosystems around the world.
Pollution Deforestation

Mining

How to Protect the Ecosystem

 Why Protect the Ecosystem

Healthy ecosystems clean our water, purify our air, maintain our soil, regulate the
climate, recycle nutrients and provide us with food. They provide raw materials and
resources for medicines and other purposes. They are at the foundation of all
civilization and sustain our economies. Ecosystems are essential to our well-being and
prosperity as they provide us with food, clean air and fresh water. Ecosystems also
represent an exceptional source of outdoor recreation opportunities. The functions
performed by ecosystems that increase our well-being are called ecosystem
services.

-HEMHOLTZ Centre for Environmental Research

Activity 6. Action Plan

Prepare an action plan containing mitigation measures to address current

environmental concerns and challenges in your community. The ones provided are
merely examples.

Environmental Issue Solution Proposed Action

 ILLegal Logging/ Legislation ● Write a letter to
Deforestation barangay chairman
Tree planting asking for an ordinance
against illegal logging.
● Organize tree planting
activities

Pollution (Air or Water)

Waste Disposal

Mining/ Quarrying/ Urban

Development

Pesticide over-use

Overfishing/ Overhunting

Animal Poaching/ Cruelty

EVALUATE

Construct a concept map to establish relationships of the different concepts

pertaining to an ecosystem:

Balance in the Ecosystem

Biotic Components (with examples)
Abiotic Components (with examples)
Ecosystem
Types of Interactions (with examples)
Ecological Succession
Biotic Potential (with examples)
Environmental Resistance (with examples)
Carrying Capacity
Aquatic Ecosystem (with examples)
Terrestrial Ecosystem (with examples)
Human Activities (with examples)
Protecting the Ecosystems (with examples)
(The concept map structure provided below is only a sample. You may design your
own).

POST TEST

1. Tapeworms live inside organisms and feed on the nutrients of the food they eat. A
tapeworm is an example of ___________.
A. host B. parasite C. commensal D. cannibal

2. A kind of relationship in which an organism eats another of the same species

(this occurs in some insects and arachnids).
A. cannibalism B. parasitism C. predation D. commensalism

3. Numerous bacteria live on the skin and in the digestive tract of humans without
being pathogenic or beneficial. They will not harm the host or decay the flesh until
death comes to the human host by other means. What is this kind of relationship?
A. cannibalism B. parasitism C. predation D. commensalism

4. Temperature, light, air, water, soil, and climate are all _______ parts of the
ecosystem.
A. Biotic B. Abiotic C. Boreal D. Living

5. In which biome would you find animals with adaptations for a climate with very
little precipitation?
A. Desert B. Estuary C. Taiga D. Rain Forest
6. Which biome has the most diversity of living organisms?
A. Savanna B. Tundra C. Rain Forest D. Temperate

7. What is ecology a study of?

A. All living things in the ecosystem
B. All non-living things in the ecosystem
C. How living things depend on each other
D. The interaction of living things among themselves and with their environment

8. Only 10 percent of the energy stored in an organism can be passed on to the next
trophic level. Of the remaining energy, some is used for the organism’s life
processes. What happens to the rest of the energy?
A. used in reproduction. C. stored as fat.
B. stored as body tissue. D. eliminated as heat.

9. Why can matter be recycled through ecosystems?

A. matter is passed out of the body as waste.
B. matter is assembled into chemical compounds.
C. biological systems do not use up matter, they transform it.
D. biological systems use only carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen.

10. Biogeochemical cycling ensures that ____________.

A. human activity will have no effect on the ecosystem
B. living organisms will not become limited in any one nutrient
C. there will be constant supply nutrients in the ecosystem.
D. many nutrients will not reach toxic concentrations in the biosphere.

ANSWER KEY

REFERENCES

● https://www.ufz.de/index.php (HELMHOLTZ Center for Environmental

Research)

● https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/global-ecology-and-conservation

● https://www.environmentalscience.org/

● https://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/Ecology_(collection)

● https://sccollege.edu/Library/Pages/environment.aspx
 ● https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/food-web-concept-and-
applications

● https://sciencing.com/facts

● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_ecology

● https://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/Biodiversity_(main)

● All images in this module were taken from google images

(https://www.google.com/imghp?gws_rd=ssl) on the following dates: (June
04, 2020 – June 14, 2020)

DISCLAIMER

I do not own or license any copyright rights in the texts, images, photographs,
graphics and other content provided in this module. I created this module solely for
non-commercial, informational and educational purposes. There is no intention on my
part to claim ownership as to the contents or make profit out of this module.

Prepared by: Almer L. Corilla

SHS Faculty
Canduman National High School
June 14, 2020