Changes to Ecosystems
What is an example of a biotic part of an ecosystem?
Multiple correct answers: animals, plants, microorganisms.
If Ecosystem A has more plant and animal species than Ecosystem B, which Ecosystem has more biodiversity?
Ecosystem A
True or False: Nonrenewable resources are evenly spread throughout the world.
False
All of the interacting biotic and abiotic components within a specific location.
Ecosystem
True or False: an ecosystem is made up of both living and nonliving parts.
True
What is an example of an abiotic part of an ecosystem that could change?
Multiple correct answers: water, sunlight availability, soil health, temperature, air quality, weather.
Why is it important for an ecosystem to have high biodiversity?
Hint: are food chains or food webs more stable? Why?
With more species, the ecosystem becomes more stable. Food webs can survive the loss of one species more easily if more species are present to compensate for the change.
Coal, oil, minerals, metals, and sand are examples of this type of natural resource.
Nonrenewable Resource
The specific part of the environment occupied by the individuals of a species within an ecosystem.
Habitat
Name 2 different models used to describe ecosystems.
Options: food chain, food web, ecological food pyramid, levels of organization in ecology.
Imagine the following change to an ecosystem.
A camper left a fire unattended, and a spark caused a forest fire.
Was the change (a forest fire), natural or unnatural?
Unnatural - humans caused this change by accident.
What is one reason biodiversity is important for humans?
Multiple correct answers: many medicines come from plants and microorganisms, many food and clothing resources come from plants, healthy/stable ecosystems can protect human cities from natural disasters, the natural world provides beauty and comfort.
These types of natural resources are easy to replace, widely available, and do not cause pollution.
Renewable Resources
The total number and variety of living plants, animals, and microorganisms in an environment.
Biodiversity
Which is bigger: a population or a community?
Community: a population of plants and animals that live together and make up the biotic part of an ecosystem.
Imagine the following change to an ecosystem.
A beaver slowly begins to build a dam. This dam changes the flow of a river, and many more plant species can have access to water.
Was the change (the building of a dam), natural or unnatural? Will the biodiversity increase or decrease?
Natural, and the biodiversity of the ecosystem is expected to increase as more plants thrive. These plants will provide food and habitats for more animal species as well.
Imagine the following change to an abiotic part of the ecosystem:
In a marine ecosystem, coral provide habitats for many living things. Coral can only live in mildly warm water. Because of climate change, the water in a reef increased in temperature so high that all of the coral died. Would the biodiversity increase or decrease?
Without living habitats for other living species, we would expect the biodiversity of the marine ecosystem to decrease. With fewer habitats, there can be fewer species living in a single ecosystem.
What is one reason that we should limit the use of nonrenewable resources?
Multiple correct answers: they produce pollution, they cannot be easily replaced, they are not always available to every human being (so it's not fair to rely on them), they can be harmful to human health.
Plants, animals, or microorganisms that naturally occur in a specific historical geographic area.
Native Species
Which level of ecological organization is described: a group of similar organisms that can breed to produce fertile offspring (healthy children).
Imagine the following change to an ecosystem.
An invasive plant species called kudzu is introduced to a swamp in Florida. The biodiversity of the ecosystem declines.
Was the change (introduction of kudzu), natural or unnatural?
Unnatural - humans brought the plant to the new location.
Imagine the following change to a biotic part of the ecosystem:
In a prairie ecosystem, coyotes are tertiary consumers. All of the coyotes were killed by human hunters. What would happen to their prey? What would happen to the producer species?
If all of the carnivores are killed, the secondary and primary consumer species populations (omnivores and herbivores) would likely increase. With more omnivores and herbivores, there will be fewer producers (plants). The biodiversity will decrease overtime.
What is one way that gardening can help the health of the local ecosystem/environment?
Multiple correct answers: increased food for pollinators strengthens pollinator populations for native species, compost can be used to reduce food waste going into landfills, less pollution is generated by eating locally grown food.
The total sum of occupied habitats for life on Earth, from the bottom of the ocean to the top of the highest mountains.
Biosphere
Which level of ecological organization is described: the total sum of occupied habitats for life on Earth, from the bottom of the ocean to the top of the highest mountains.
Biosphere