Water and land ecosystems

The idea

The two main types of ecosystems are aquatic (ponds, rivers, lakes) and terrestrial (forests, farms, even a large tree); ecosystems can be large or small, can overlap and interact, and farmland is a human-made ecosystem.

Many ecosystems

A pond, a forest, a farm and a river are all ecosystems.

How can we group them?

• Aquatic and terrestrial
• Hot and cold
• Old and new

Sort the ecosystems

Tap the bin where each belongs.

Two main types

The two main types of ecosystems are aquatic and terrestrial. Ecosystems can be large or small, and they can overlap. A small river may flow along mountains, forests, grassland and farmland. Farmland is a human-made ecosystem.

Aquatic: ponds, rivers, lakes. Terrestrial: forests, farms, even a large tree. Ecosystems can be large or small, can overlap, and farmland is human-made.

Notes

Two main types: aquatic and terrestrial. Ecosystems can be large or small and can overlap.

Check yourself

Ponds, rivers and lakes are examples of …

Forests and farms are examples of …

Which of these is a human-made ecosystem?

Can an ecosystem be as small as a large tree like a banyan?

• terrestrial ecosystems. Terrestrial ecosystems are on land.
• human-made ecosystems only. Ponds, rivers and lakes are aquatic ecosystems.
• aquatic ecosystems — correct. Yes!
• terrestrial ecosystems — correct. Yes!
• aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic ecosystems are in water.
• abiotic components. They are ecosystems, which have both living and non-living parts.
• A forest. A forest is a natural ecosystem.
• Farmland — correct. Yes!
• A river. A river is a natural ecosystem.
• No, only a forest is an ecosystem. Ecosystems can be large or small.
• No, trees are abiotic. Trees are living.
• Yes, ecosystems can be large or small — correct. Yes!