Ecosystems
What is an ecosystem?
A community of living (biotic) and non-living factors that interact with each in the environment around them.
What is the definition of an abiotic factor?
A non-living factor in an ecosystem.
What is the definition of a biotic factor?
Any living thing in an ecosystem.
What is mutualism?
Give an example.
When two species both benefit. Examples will vary
What is a miracle?
Something you hope will happen but think the chances of it occurring are almost impossible.
In a food chain or a food web, what is used to show how energy flows through out that ecosystem?
Arrows are used to show how energy flows.
Name 3 examples of abiotic factors found in an ecosystem.
Possible answers: soil, sun, water, temperature, climate, wind, rocks etc.
What are 3 examples of biotic factors you might find in a forest ecosystem?
Possible answers: trees, nuts/seeds, flowers, worms, insects, rodents, small birds, owls, bears.
Why are producers important in any ecosystem?
Because the primary consumers would not have food and would start to die off. Secondary consumers would lose their food sources, and they would die off. Finally, any tertiary/apex predators would also start to die off, and the ecosystem would begin to collapse.
What type of fish was the Miracle Fish?
A Nile Perch.
Explain what an invasive species is and give an example of one.
An organism that does not belong, was introduced purposely or accidentally and causes harm to the ecosystem in some way.
Every food chain and food web starts with energy that comes from what abiotic factor?
The sun.
Besides animals, what else qualifies as a "biotic" factor?
Plants and smaller organisms (i.e. fungi and bacteria).
What is parasitism? Give an example
When one species benefits and the other is harmed. Examples will vary
Who put the "Miracle Fish" into Lake Victoria?
The government put it into the lake on purpose.
What is biodiversity? Why is it important?
Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world.
Without a wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms, we cannot have the healthy ecosystems that we rely on to provide us with the air we breathe and the food we eat
Name one biotic and one abiotic factor you might find in a marine ecosystem and explain the interaction between them.
Possible answer: Varies
Why are decomposers important to an ecosystem?
Because they break down once living things and return those nutrients back to the soil so that cycle can continue beginning with the producers.
If the prey population in any ecosystem starts to decrease, what would happen to the predators?
Explain
Answers will vary.
Why was the "Miracle Fish" put into Lake Victoria?
So that people could catch a bigger fish that they could sell for more money and/or have more food to eat.
In any ecosystem, there is a complex order in which certain biotic factors obtain energy from other biotic or abiotic factors. What is this complex system called?
A Food web.
Why is soil an important abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
1. It serves as a habitat to insects and animals. 2. It absorbs and holds water for plants to use for nutrients. EXAMPLES
Why is a dead tree still considered a biotic factor?
It was once alive.
In parasitism, what is the host (definition)?
The host is the organism that is being harmed by the parasite.
Did the Nile Perch turn out to be a Miracle Fish?
Explain.
Answers will vary