MEADOW ECOSYSTEM

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (animals, plants) in conjunction with nonliving organisms (water, air), interacting as a system.

A meadow is a field vegetated primarily by grass and other non-woody plants.

Predator-PreyFox feeds upon mouse

Abiotic Factorswater, sunlight, soil, air

Meadow Ecosystem

MutualismA bird eats a tick off a deer. The deer loses the tick, the bird gets a meal!

ParasitismMistletoe attaches itself to an oak tree, absorbing the oak tree's nutrients. This eventually will kill the oak tree.

CommensalismA bird builds a nest on the branches of a shrub. The bird gets shelter, the shrub is unaffected.

Biotic Factorsgrass, wildflowers, birds, rabbits, deer, insects, fox, owl, snakes

CompetitionOwls and foxes both compete for small mammal prey.