Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors
True or False: Dissolved Oxygen is a biotic factor in an aquatic ecosystem.
False - it is abiotic/non-living
What is the scientific term for the specific "job" or role an organism plays in its environment?
Niche
Which type of feedback loop moves an ecosystem back to its starting point to maintain balance?
Negative Feedback
Name one terrestrial stressor that removes the physical structure of an ecosystem.
Deforestation
Would an ecosystem with high biodiversity be more or less resilient to a fire?
More resilient
In a terrestrial ecosystem, is "soil pH" a biotic or abiotic factor?
abiotic
How does a producer support the overall sustainability of an ecosystem?
It converts sunlight into chemical energy/food for the rest of the web
A predator-prey relationship is an example of which type of feedback loop?
Negative Feedback
Eutrophication is a disruption caused by an excess of which abiotic factors?
Nutrients/Nitrogen/Phosphorus
Why does biodiversity increase resilience?
There are more organisms to fill the niches if one species dies out
Name one biotic factor that would be found in a coral reef ecosystem
Coral, fish, algae, sharks, etc.
What is the niche of a decomposer (like a fungus or bacteria)?
To break down dead organic matter and return nutrients to the soil
What happens to the equilibrium of an ecosystem if a Keystone Species is removed?
The ecosystem usually collapses or changes drastically
Why are Invasive Species considered "Niche Thieves"?
They steal resources from native species and have no natural predators to stop them
An invasive vine covers all the trees in a park. Does this create a Positive or Negative feedback loop of destruction?
Positive Feedback - the more it grows, the more it kills trees, making more space for the vine to grow
Which abiotic factor is the primary difference between a terrestrial forest and a desert?
water/precipitation
Explain the niche of a bee in a terrestrial ecosystem.
Pollinator: moves pollen to help plants reproduce
Define Dynamic Equilibrium.
A state of balance where components fluctuate but stay within a stable range
Which aquatic stressor specifically lowers the "Dissolved Oxygen" by increasing the water temperature?
Thermal Pollution
If a forest grows back quickly after a fire, is that an example of Resistance or Resilience?
Resilience
How does the abiotic factor of temperature affect an aquatic ecosystem's oxygen levels?
Hotter water holds less oxygen
If an organism is a filter feeder (like an oyster), how does it support aquatic sustainability?
It cleans the water by removing excess algae and pollutants
How do Apex Predators (like wolves) maintain equilibrium in a forest?
They control the population of herbivores to prevent overgrazing
What is a Tipping Point in an ecosystem?
The point at which a small change causes a massive, irreversible shift in the system
Predict the outcome for an aquatic ecosystem if all the decomposers were removed.
Dead matter would pile up, nutrients would not return to the producers, and the system would collapse