Vocabulary I
Interactions
Vocabulary II
Graph Analysis
100
This is the study of how living things interact with the non-living parts of an ecosystem
What is Ecology?
100
This type of interaction occurs when animals depend on plants for food.
What is a Direct interaction?
100
A lion hunting a zebra for food
What is Predator-prey (Predation)?
100
Plants of the same species were grown in tanks with different CO2 levels. Their height was measured after 3 weeks and an average taken. What conclusion can you draw?
As CO2 concentration increases, average plant height also increases
200
These are factors in an ecosystem such as soil, water, sunlight, and temperature
What are Abiotic factors?
200
Decomposers like fungi and bacteria break down dead plants and animals, which indirectly helps the ecosystem by doing this.
What is recycling nutrients into the soil?
200
Barnacles are small crustaceans that attach themselves to the skin of whales, where they feed on plankton and other tiny organisms in the surrounding water.
What is commensalism?
200
A study recorded the number of red and grey squirrels in a particular woodland habitat for 20 years. Grey squirrels were introduced to the habitat in year 6 of the study. What conclusion can you draw from this graph about the effect of introducing grey squirrels to a habitat that is occupied by red squirrels? What pattern of interaction is happening between the 2 squirrels?
As the number of grey squirrels increases, the number of red squirrels decreases. This might have occurred because the two squirrel species are competing for one or more of the same resources.
300
These are factors in an ecosystem, like plants, animals, and bacteria.
Biotic factors
300
When plants absorb water from the ground to grow, this is an example of what kind of interaction?
What is a Direct interaction?
300
A tick attaches itself to a dog and feeds on its blood.
What is parasitism?
300
How would you describe the relationship between the moose and deer populations on the graph?
As the wolf population increases, the moose population decreases.
400
This process uses light, water, and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and sugar in plants.
What is Photosynthesis?
400
The Sun influences the temperature of ecosystems, impacting all living things. This is an example of what kind of interaction?
What is an Indirect interaction?
400
A bee pollinating a flower.
What is Mutualism?
400
Insects are a pest in crop fields, orchards, and other farmland. Evidence suggests that the introduction of a parasitic wasp can cause the populations of certain insect pests in farm fields to decline. 
Which type of interaction is this?
What is parasitism?
500
This term describes the variety of plants, animals, and other organisms within an ecosystem, which helps maintain balance.
What is biodiversity or diversity?
500
Name three components of ecosystems based on their roles in the food chain.
What are Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers?
500
A squirrel burying nuts for the winter.
What is commensalism?
500
The Canada lynx is a member of the cat family, not much larger than a house cat. In northern Canada, the lynx prefers to eat snowshoe hare. When the snowshoe hare population decreases, the lynx kittens are often unable to survive. What type of interaction is this?
What is Predator- Prey ( Predation)?