Ecosystems
What is an ecosystem?
Where living and non-living things interact to live, survive and thrive together!
During the deer game, they experienced some years when the population was large. What happened the next year and why?
They decreased because they used up all the resources (limiting factors)
Name the basic needs of living things
Air, water, food, shelter, and sunlight/warmth
Why do humans succeed whe competing with other organisms in an ecosystem?
Because we have developed technology to do so
What is the definition of species?
a group of similar organisms that can mate and reproduce
Sometimes the deer population was very small. What happened the next year and why?
It increased because the limiting factors had a chance to recoup and therefore the deer had more resources and their population grew.
Define a "limiting factor" (remember from the deer game)
A resource or environmental condition that limits population growth
What do humans introduce to ecosystems?
Pollution
What is the definition of a population?
A group of organisms of the same species
Describe a biotic-abiotic interaction in the environment
Answers will vary
Define "competition" among species
occurs when more than one organism tries to obtain the same basic resources in the same habitat.
Name one negative consequence on ecosystems from farming
The excess nutrients from fertilizers and the toxic chemicals in pesticides can pollute the soil and water. Also, pesticide use harms other organisms in the ecosystem. For example, using pesticides to kill “pest” insects removes a food source for birds that feed on these insects. This causes bird populations to decrease. This, in turn, affects organisms that feed on the birds. Humans have also developed machines to help grow and harvest crops. Farm machinery contributes to air pollution.
What is the definition of a community?
A group of different populations within an ecosystem
Describe a biotic-biotic interction in the environment
Answers will vary
Define predation amongst species
the relationship between predators and prey in an ecosystem
What are mine tailings and why are they bad for ecosystems?
Once a metal has been extracted, tailings (the remaining rock material) are left in large piles. Mine tailings contain toxic substances that can damage ecosystems. Tailings left out in the open after mining can release toxic chemicals into the surrounding soil. Over time, rain will carry these substances into nearby lakes, rivers, and oceans.
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?
Biotic - living
Abiotic - non-living
Which is an example of an abiotic - abiotic interaction?
(a) a squirrel eating an acorn
(b) grass growing in the soil
(c) sun warming up a rock
c) sun warming up a rock
Define "mutualism" amongst species, and give an example
an interaction between individuals of different species that benefits both individuals.
bee and flower
What happened when nickel was mined in Sudbury for over 100 years?
Over the years, sulfur dioxide released from mine tailings caused severe damage to the land and water surrounding Sudbury (Figure 4). By the 1960s, the ground was so polluted that almost no native plants could grow in the soil. Without these plants, the native animals could not survive there either.