BIOTIC FACTORS
What are biotic factors?
Living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.
What is the term for non-living things in an ecosystem?
Abiotic factors.
What is a resource in an ecosystem?
Any necessity for survival, such as food, water, and shelter.
What is a predator?
An organism that hunts and consumes other organisms for food.
Give an example of a producer and a consumer in an ecosystem.
EXAMPLE: Producer: Grass; Consumer: Deer.
Name two abiotic factors that affect plant growth.
Sunlight and soil nutrients.
Describe how plants compete for sunlight and water.
Plants may grow taller or spread their roots wider to access sunlight and moisture, respectively.
How do predators help to control the population of other species?
Predators help control the number of prey animals, stopping them from becoming too many and using up all the resources.
How do decomposers contribute to an ecosystem?
Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and supporting plant growth.
How does temperature influence the types of organisms found in an ecosystem?
Different organisms thrive at different temperatures, which can determine their habitat range.
Explain the importance of biodiversity in resource availability.
Biodiversity ensures a variety of resources are available, increases the ecosystem success
Describe a food chain that includes a predator, prey, and a producer.
example:
Grass (producer) → Grasshopper (prey) → Frog (predator).
Describe the relationship between predators and prey in an ecosystem.
Predators hunt and consume prey, which helps regulate prey populations and maintain balance in the ecosystem.
Explain how soil composition can impact the types of plants that grow in an area.
Soil composition affects nutrient availability, drainage, and pH, which influence plant growth.
How do invasive species affect the availability of resources in an ecosystem?
Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, disrupting food webs and reducing biodiversity.
How does the removal of a predator from an ecosystem affect other species?
It can lead to an overpopulation of prey species, which may result in the use of all the resources in an ecosystem.
Explain how competition between two species can affect their populations.
Competition can lead to resource depletion, which may reduce one or both populations as they struggle to survive.
Describe how sunlight acts as an abiotic factor in ecosystems.
Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis, influencing plant growth and the energy available in an ecosystem.
Describe how human activities can disrupt the balance of resource availability in an ecosystem.
Human activities like pollution, habitat destruction, and overharvesting can reduce resources and harm ecosystem health.
What are some adaptations that a prey species develop to avoid being captured by predators?
Common adaptations include camouflage (blending in with the environment), speed (quick movement to escape), and defensive behaviors (such as playing dead or making loud noises).