Ecosystems

Ecosystem basics

100

What is an ecosystem? 

A community of living things and their enviorment, interacting together 

200

Give one example of a living and one example of a nonliving thing in an ecosystem 

Living: Tree, rabbit, bacteria 

Nonliving: Water, sunlight, rocks. 

300

True or False: An ecosystem can exist in a desert 

True 

400

What is the term for a living thing that can make its own food?

Producer 

500

Some organisms, like beavers can change their ecosystems by building dams that create ponds and wetlands. What is the term for a species that has a large impact on shaping its environment, and why are these species important? 

They are called ecosystem engineers- they can change the environment in ways that create new habitats, support other species, and affect how energy and resources flow. 

Energy Flow

100

What is the main source of energy for most ecosystems?

The sun 

200

Name a producer and a consumer in a forest ecosystem

Producer: Tree/Grass

Consumer: Deer/Bear

300

What is the arrow in a food chain meant to show?

The direction of energy flow

400

Explain how energy flows from the sun to a hawk in a food chain

Sun --> plants (producers) --> mouse (consumer) --> hawk (predator) 

500

Why does each step in a food chain have less energy than the one before 

Energy is lost as heat and used for life processes at each level. 

Changes in Ecosystems

100

What is one natural event that can change an ecosystem? 

Fire

Flood 

Hurricane 

Earthquake

Etc. 

200

True or False: Forest fires can sometimes help an ecosystem

True- they clear dead plants and help some seeds sprout. 

300

How does drought affect plants and animals? 

Less Water --> plants die --> animals lose food and shelter 

400

What is the term for a species that disappears from an ecosystem forever

Extinct 

500

Explain how humans can help restore damaged ecosystems 

Replanting, cleaning, protecting habitats, and removing invasive species. 

Animals & Habitats

100

When humans build neighborhoods, animals may have to do this to find food. 

Migrate 

200

Roads can cause this when animals try to cross. 

Animal accidents/Roadkill

300

When humans bring in animals or plants from other countries, they are called ____

Invasive Species 

400

Creating safe natural spaces for animals is called 

Wildlife refugees 

500

This type of forest cutting destroys animal homes all at once. 

Clear Cutting

Water Works

100

Big walls built to block or control rivers?

Dams

200

Chemicals from farms can wash into rivers and cause this problem for the fish. 

Water Pollution

300

Big pipes that carry used water away from homes and buildings. 

Sewers 

400

When oil leaks from ships or rigs into oceans or rivers, it can coat animals and make the water unsafe. 

Oil Spill

500

This big tank holds clean water for everyone to use. 

Water Tower