Investigation of Abiotic and Biotic Components in the Environment

Interaction of Living Organisms

Our environment is made up of two components. First are the biotic (living) components like plants, animals, and other groups of living organisms. There are also abiotic (non-living) components like water, air, soil, rocks, climate, and weather. Biotic components depend on abiotic components for their survival. The type of abiotic components found in different areas determine the types of biotic components found there.

Investigation of Abiotic and Biotic Components in the Environment

Learning Objectives

To describe biotic and abiotic components in the environment.

Materials

Ants, termites, tadpoles, soil, stones, plants, dried sh, beaker*, water, and plastic bags

Preparation Procedure

1. Collect live tadpoles from a lake in a plastic bottle with water.

Activity Procedure

1.           Bring soil, plants, ants, termites, stones and uprooted plant seedlings inside.

2.           Blow into a plastic bag and tie it to hold air in.

3.           Fill one beaker with only water, a second beaker with a tadpole in water, and a third beaker with a dry sh.

4.           Arrange all of the components into 2 groups: biotic and abiotic.

Results and Conclusion

Non-living components are very important to the survival of biotic compo-nents. Water, air, and soil are all abiotic components. Light, water, and carbon dioxide are also abiotic but plants cannot manufacture their foods without them. It is important to preserve our environment to maintain the biotic and abiotic components for our survival.

Clean Up Procedure

1.           Return the biotic and abiotic components to their environment. Clean and store items that will be used later. No special waste disposal is required.

Notes

This activity will enable the students to realise the importance of abiotic components normally thought to be freely available. The activity will raise the students consciousness in avoiding the activities causing water, air and soil pollution. Vegetation plays a big role in purifying air by increasing the level of oxygen in the atmosphere but plants depend on water and soil for their survival.