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Ecosystem Basics
Abiotic Factors
Biotic Factors
Relationships
Mystery Questions
100

What is an ecosystem?

A community of plants, animals, and smaller organisms that interact with each other and with non-living factors in the environment around them.

100
What is the definition of an abiotic factor?
A non-living factor in an ecosystem.
100
What is the definition of a biotic factor?
A living thing in an ecosystem.
100

What is mutualism? 

Give an example.

When two species both benefit. Examples will vary

100

What is a symbiotic relationship?

A relationship between two different species (Plants or animals) can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful to one or both species. 

200
What are the 2 main TYPES of factors in an ecosystem?
Abiotic and biotic
200
Name 3 examples of abiotic factors in a forest ecosystem.
Possible answers: soil, sun, water, temperature, climate, wind, rocks.
200
What are 3 examples of biotic factors in a forest ecosystem?
Possible answers: trees, nuts/seeds, flowers, worms, insects, rodents, small birds, owls, bears.
200

What is commensalism? 

Give an example

When one species benefits and the other is not impacted in any way. Examples will vary

200

What is an organism?

an individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.

300

What is an invasive species and give an example of one?

An organism that does not belong, was introduced purposely or accidentally and causes harm to the ecosystem in some way.

300

Every food chain and food web begins with energy that comes from what abiotic factor?

The sun.

300
Besides animals, what else qualifies as "biotic" factors?
Plants and smaller organisms (i.e. fungi and bacteria).
300

What is parasitism? Give an example

When one species benefits and the other is harmed. Examples will vary

300

What are native species and why are they important?

They are species ,plants or animals, that belong in an ecosystem. They are they due to natural circumstances.

400

What is biodiversity? Why is it important?

Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world.

Without a wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms, we cannot have the healthy ecosystems that we rely on to provide us with the air we breathe and the food we eat

400

Why is a dead tree NOT an abiotic factor?

Because it was once alive so it will still be classified as a biotic factor.

400
What is one way of knowing that a factor is biotic?
Possible answers: It requires energy to survive. It grows. It reproduces. It reacts to its environment.
400

In parasitism, what is a parasite (definition)?

The organism that lives on or in another organism, and benefits in some way while the other organism is harmed in some way.

400

What is a producer?

An organism that makes its own food.

500

In an ecosystem, there is a continuous order in which certain factors obtain energy from other factors, which in turn obtain energy from yet OTHER factors. 

What is this complex order called?

A Food web

500
Why is soil an important abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
1. It serves as a habitat to insects and animals. 2. It absorbs and holds water for plants to use for nutrients. 3. It provides humus, which is nutrients for plants to grow.
500
How can you be sure that grass is a biotic factor?
Possible answers: It can grow. It requires energy to survive (i.e. it uses light energy from the sun to produce its own source of energy).
500

In parasitism, what is the host (definition)?

The host is the organism that is being harmed by the parasite.

500

What is a watershed?

The area of land where all forms of precipitation drain into a surrounding body of water like a stream, river, lake, bay or ocean.