Biotic Factors
Name three examples of living or once-living organisms found in an ecosystem
Animals, plants, fungi, or bacteria
Name three examples of non-living elements in an ecosystem
Water, air, soil, rocks, minerals, sunlight, or temperature
What is the term for an individual form of life, such as a plant or animal
Organism
What is a large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region of the world called
A biome
What is the term for an abiotic or biotic factor that limits the number of individuals that can live in an ecosystem
Limiting factor
What prefix means "life" and is used to describe living components of an ecosystem
Bio
What prefix means "not" or "without" and is used to describe non-living components of an ecosystem
A
What is comprised of all the individuals of the same species in an area at a certain time
population
Name two major types of biomes based on their environment
Terrestrial (land) or aquatic (fresh and salt water
If a population exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment, what are two possible outcomes according to the sources
Some individuals will die or move to another location
Describe one way in which biotic factors can limit the population of other organisms in an environment
Through competition for food , predator-prey relationships, parasitism , or disease
Explain how the abiotic factor of sunlight can influence organisms in an ecosystem
Availability of sunlight increases photosynthesis in plants. Plants may compete for sunlight by growing taller
Define an ecosystem
All of the living (biotic) and all of the physical nonliving factors (abiotic) in an area
Which biome is characterized by little rainfall or precipitation and a hot, arid climate?
Desert
How can temperature, an abiotic factor, act as a limiting factor in an ecosystem?
Cold harsh areas support limited numbers of populations with greater competition occurring, while warm lush areas support greater numbers of populations with less competition
Provide an example from the sources of how human activities act as a biotic factor limiting animal habitats
Development, damming rivers, or clear-cutting of forests
How can nutrient-rich soil, an abiotic factor, affect the populations within an ecosystem
Nutrient-rich soils produce more carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus and can support larger populations (less competition)
What is the term for the largest number of individuals of the same species that an area can support
Carrying capacity
Which terrestrial biome is known for its cold, harsh climate with a short growing season and is dominated by evergreen trees with needles
Coniferous Forest (Taiga)
Explain how the predator-prey relationship acts as a biotic limiting factor for both predator and prey populations
A greater number of prey means a greater number of predators, while a fewer number of prey means a fewer number of predators
What are populations of organisms of different species living together in a specific area at a given time called
A community
Name two examples of changing abiotic conditions that can reduce populations in an ecosystem
Drought, flood, volcanic eruption, or earthquake
What type of factor, biotic or abiotic, determines the carrying capacity of an ecosystem
Both abiotic and biotic factors, called limiting factors, determine carrying capacity
Which biome is considered the most diverse and has the greatest amount of rainfall, located near the equator
Rain Forest (specifically Tropical Rainforest, based on location and characteristics)
There is a long drought in a grassland ecosystem. Predict how this change in an abiotic factor will impact a single organism, a population, and the community level.
An organism like a rabbit may die, causing a decrease in the population or rabbits, and other animals in the community like wolves may not have enough food.