Ecosystem Basics
What is an ecosystem?
A community of living and nonliving things that interact with each other.
What is a food chain?
A sequence that shows how energy moves from one organism to another.
Which ecosystem is very dry and gets little rain?
Desert
What is an adaptation?
A trait that helps a living thing survive in its environment.
What is one way humans can change ecosystems?
Cutting down trees, pollution, building cities.
Name two living things found in an ecosystem.
Plants, animals (also fungi, bacteria are acceptable).
What do arrows show in a food chain?
The direction energy moves (who eats whom).
Which ecosystem has many trees and lots of rain?
Rainforest
How does camouflage help animals survive?
It helps them blend in to avoid predators or catch prey
What happens if an animal loses its habitat?
It may have to move or may not survive.
Name two nonliving things found in an ecosystem.
Water, sunlight, air, soil, rocks.
What is a producer? Give an example.
An organism that makes its own food (like plants).
Which ecosystem is very cold with ice and snow?
Tundra
Why do some animals have thick fur?
To stay warm in cold environments.
What is pollution?
Harmful materials entering the environment.
What is the role of the sun in an ecosystem?
It provides energy for plants to make food (photosynthesis).
What is a consumer? Name two types.
An organism that eats other organisms; herbivore, carnivore, omnivore.
Name one aquatic ecosystem.
Ocean, lake, river, pond
Give an example of a plant adaptation.
Thick stems to store water, waxy leaves, deep roots.
How can people help protect ecosystems?
Recycle, reduce waste, protect habitats, plant trees.
Why are both living and nonliving things important in an ecosystem?
Living things depend on nonliving things for survival (water, air, sunlight), and they all work together.
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
A food chain shows one path; a food web shows many connected paths.
Compare two ecosystems. How are they different?
example: deserts are dry, rainforests are wet
How do adaptations help animals survive in different ecosystems?
They help animals find food, stay safe, and live in their environment.
What might happen if one part of a food chain disappears?
Other organisms may not survive; the ecosystem becomes unbalanced.