Ecosystems – The Basics
Living and non-living things interacting in an environment.
What is an ecosystem?
Living things
What is Biotic?
What is the process plants use to make food?
Photosynthesis
Name one way animals depend on plants.
Food, oxygen, or shelter.
Name one ecosystem that stores greenhouse gases.
Forest, wetland, ocean, or grassland
Name three types of ecosystems.
What are Forest, desert, grassland, wetland, arctic, or freshwater.
Non-Living Things
What is Abiotic?
What three things do plants need for photosynthesis?
Sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
What gas do animals release that plants need for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide.
Name 3 ways that humans use plants.
Food, Shelter, Medicine, Recreation, Construction, Oxygen
Name three things that describe an ecosystem.
What are: Climate, size, plants, animals, or location.
A dead log is... Because...
Biotic, it was once living.
Why is photosynthesis important to both plants and animals?
It provides plants with food and releases oxygen that plants and animals need to survive.
Name two ways plants help an ecosystem.
They provide food, shelter, oxygen, clean water, or help prevent soil erosion.
Why are wetlands important for the environment?
They act as natural water filters and provide homes for plants and animals.
Give two differences between a forest and a desert.
What are: Forests have more water and plants. Deserts have very little water and fewer plants.
How can water and temperature affect the plants and animals in an ecosystem?
What is... They affect which plants and animals can survive there and how many?
What is chlorophyll, and what does it do?
It is the green substance in plants that collects sunlight.
How do plants and animals help each other survive?
Plants provide food and oxygen. Animals provide carbon dioxide and nutrients that plants need.
Name two things humans can do to protect ecosystems.
Plant trees, protect habitats, reduce pollution, or protect wetlands.
Why do different ecosystems have different plants and animals?
They have different temperatures, amounts of water, climates, and living conditions.
What might happen to an ecosystem if it did not receive rain for a long time?
Plants could die, animals could lose food and water, and some animals might move away or die.
What is the chemical equation for Photosynthesis?
Energy + CO2 + H2O = C6H12O6 + O2
What might happen if all the plants disappeared from an ecosystem?
Animals would lose food and shelter, oxygen production would decrease, and many animals might die.
Name the 4 sacred plants to indigenous peoples in Alberta.
Sage, Sweetgrass, Cedar, Tabacco