General Knowledge
Species Interactions
A Story of 2 ecosystems
Between 2 Species
100

This term describes a species whose impact on the ecosystem is larger than its population size would suggest.

Keystone Species

100

When two species compete for the same limited resource, this interaction occurs.

Competition 

100

This large brown plant like organism creates habitat and supports biodiversity in coastal marine ecosystems.

Kelp

100

Which two species are involved in a predator-prey interaction that controls sea urchin populations and protects kelp forests?

Sea otter and sea urchin

or

Starfish and Sea Urchin

200

Organisms that make their own food are called this.

Producers

200

This type of relationship benefits one species involved without affecting the other, such as Herring laying their eggs in the kelp forest

Commensalism

Will Accept Symbiotic

200

Name a primary consumer in the kelp forest that feeds on kelp.

Sea Urchin

200

Which two species have a mutualistic relationship where one shelters in the other and helps keep it healthy by cleaning algae?

Kelp crab and kelp

300

A food web is more complex than this simpler model that shows energy flow through one path.

Food Chain

300

This is the term for a close relationship where one species benefits and the other is harmed.

Parasitism 

300

The loss of this species can cause a shift from kelp forest to urchin barren ecosystem.

Sea Otter

300

Which two species compete for algae as a food source in the kelp forest ecosystem?

Sea urchin and abalone

or

Sea Urchin & Kelp Crab

400

The process by which producers convert sunlight into chemical energy.

Photosynthesis

400

This type of competition happens between members of the same species, like sea urchins competing for algae.

Intraspecies Competition 

400

The kelp is called this type of species because it supports a biodiverse/balanced/stable ecosystem

Keystone Species

400

Which two species interact through predation where a star-shaped predator helps regulate herbivore populations?

Sea star and sea urchin

500

When a native species like sea urchins overpopulates and disrupts the balance of the kelp forest ecosystem, the species can be considered a(n)

Invasive Species

500

The sea otter feeding on sea urchins is an example of this ecological relationship.

Predation

500

The primary source of energy for kelp forests and most ecosystems.

Sunlight

500

Which two species are involved in a decomposer-producer relationship where one recycles nutrients that support the growth of the other?

Bacteria and kelp