Ecosystem Basics
What is the definition of an ecosystem?
A community of living organisms and their physical environment, interacting together
Is sunlight biotic or abiotic?
Abiotic
What type of interaction is it when a hawk catches a mouse?
Predator-prey
What is a population in ecological terms?
A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area
A frog eats insects. What type of interaction is this?
Predator-prey
Name three examples of biotic factors in a desert.
Cacti, lizards, and scorpions also acceptable: snakes, big cats, bacteria
Give one example of how abiotic factors affect biotic factors.
Lack of water (abiotic) causes plants (biotic) to die
What kind of relationship exists between bees and flowers?
Mutualism
What’s the difference between a community and an ecosystem?
A community is all the different species living together, while an ecosystem
A bird builds its nest in a tree without harming it. What is this called?
Commensalism
Name three examples of abiotic factors in a forest.
Sunlight, water, soil (also acceptable: air, temperature, minerals)
If deer, oak trees, and mushrooms are present, are these biotic or abiotic?
Biotic
Barnacles on whales is an example of what type of interaction?
Commensalism
Which level includes all ecosystems on Earth?
The biosphere
If wolves in an ecosystem double in number, what might happen to deer and plants?
Deer population decreases, and plants may increase because fewer deer are eating them
Put these in order from smallest to largest: organism, ecosystem, biosphere, population.
Organism → Population → Ecosystem → Biosphere
Which abiotic factor most affects desert plants: water, temperature, or soil?
Water
Mistletoe growing on a tree demonstrates what type of interaction?
Parasitism
Give an example of a community in a forest ecosystem.
Deer, oak trees, squirrels, fungi, and birds living together
A clownfish living among sea anemones is an example of what type of interaction?
Mutualism
What does biodiversity mean, and why is it important?
Biodiversity is the variety of life in an ecosystem. It’s important because it helps maintain stability and balance in ecosystems
Explain the relationship between abiotic factors and habitat structure.
Abiotic factors like sunlight, soil, and temperature shape the conditions organisms live in and determine what species can survive there.
Explain how competition can negatively affect both organisms.
Both organisms have less access to resources, which can limit growth, reproduction, or survival
Explain how organisms, populations, and communities are connected.
Organisms form populations, populations interact to make communities
Why is it important for ecosystems to have both biotic and abiotic components?
Biotic and abiotic components interact and depend on each other to sustain life.