Ecosystem Basic
What is an ecosystem?
A community of living organisms interacting with each other and with their physical environment.
Which biome is located near the Equator and has high rainfall all year?
Tropical Rainforest.
What is the main difference between freshwater and marine biomes?
Freshwater has low salt content; marine biomes have high salt content.
What is the biosphere?
The global sum of all ecosystems where life exists.
What is pollution?
The contamination of air, water, or soil.
What are the two main components of an ecosystem?
Biotic factors and abiotic factors.
Which biome is characterized by grasses, scattered trees, and large herbivores like zebras?
Savanna (Tropical Grassland).
Name two examples of freshwater biomes.
Rivers and streams, lakes and ponds, or wetlands.
In which three Earth systems does the biosphere interact?
Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Lithosphere.
What is habitat destruction?
The loss or alteration of natural habitats through activities like deforestation and urbanization.
Name three abiotic factors found in ecosystems.
Water, sunlight, temperature, soil, air, or rocks.
What biome experiences extremely cold temperatures and very low precipitation?
Polar Ice Caps.
Which marine biome contains the highest biodiversity and is often called the "rainforest of the sea"?
Coral Reefs.
What level of biological organization is larger than a biome?
Biosphere.
What are invasive species?
Non-native species that harm native ecosystems.
Which organisms make their own food using sunlight?
Producers.
Which biome is also known as the Taiga?
Boreal Forest.
What type of biome is found where rivers meet the sea?
Estuary.
According to the energy flow diagram, where does most energy originally come from?
The Sun.
Give two actions people can take to protect ecosystems.
Reduce, reuse, recycle; save water; protect wildlife; reduce plastic waste; support conservation projects.
What role do decomposers play in ecosystems?
They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the environment.
Which biome changes vegetation with altitude and is found in mountain regions?
Montane/Alpine Biome.
Which marine biome produces over 50% of Earth's oxygen through phytoplankton?
Open Ocean.
Why is energy lost as it moves through the biosphere?
Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level.
How does climate change threaten ecosystems and the biosphere?
It alters temperatures and rainfall patterns, affecting species survival and ecosystem balance.