Ecosystem Interactions (13A)
What is an ecosystem?
A community of organisms and their physical environment interacting together.
What is a producer?
An organism that makes its own food, like plants.
What is the main process by which plants absorb carbon dioxide?
Photosynthesis
Define biodiversity and explain why it is important.
Biodiversity is the variety of life; it ensures ecosystem resilience and resource availability.
What is predation? Give an example.
Predation is when one organism hunts and consumes another. Example: A lion preying on a zebra.
Name one biotic and one abiotic factor.
Biotic – plants, animals; Abiotic – water, sunlight, temperature.
What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?
The Sun.
Explain why nitrogen fixation is essential to ecosystems.
Bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for plants, supporting the food web.
How does habitat destruction affect species populations?
It reduces available resources, leading to population declines and extinctions.
Give an example of parasitism and how does it defer from predation?
Parasitism benefits one species while harming the other. Predation does not just harm it kills and eats the other.
What type of symbiotic relationship benefits both organisms?
Mutualism
Describe the role of decomposers in the cycling of matter.
Decomposers break down dead material, returning nutrients to the soil for producers.
How does human activity, such as burning fossil fuels, impact the carbon cycle?
It increases CO2 levels, contributing to climate change.
Explain the impact of pollution on biodiversity.
Pollution can poison species, disrupt food chains, and degrade habitats.
what is commensalism and how does it defer from mutualism.
Commensalism is when only one organism benefits and mutualism both organisms benefit from each other.
What is carrying capacity?
The maximum number of individuals an environment can support.
How can disruptions to the food web affect ecosystem stability?
Removing a species can cause population imbalances, leading to ecosystem collapse.
What are the consequences of disrupting the nitrogen cycle on plant and animal life?
Excess nitrogen causes water pollution and dead zones; shortages limit plant growth.
How does climate change influence ecosystem stability?
It alters temperatures, weather patterns, and habitats, causing species displacement.
Explain how competition influences population sizes within an ecosystem
Competition limits resources, reducing weaker species' populations while favoring stronger competitors.
How do limiting factors affect population size?
They control growth by restricting resources like food, water, or space.
Explain how energy flows through an ecosystem from producers to consumers.
Energy moves from the sun to producers (plants), then to herbivores, predators, and decomposers.
How do carbon and nitrogen cycles contribute to long-term ecosystem stability?
They regulate essential nutrients, supporting plant growth and maintaining biodiversity.
Explain and give an Example on how human conservation efforts can help restore ecosystem balance.
Conservation protects habitats, restores populations, and promotes sustainability.
How do multiple ecological relationships contribute to ecosystem stability?
Interactions like predation, mutualism, and competition balance species populations and maintain biodiversity.