Ecosystems Basics
What is an ecosystem?
A community of living and non-living things interacting with each other in a specific environment
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic elements?
Biotic elements are living; abiotic elements are non-living
What is a producer?
An organism that makes its own food, like plants.
What are the four stages of the water cycle?
Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection
What is deforestation?
The permanent removal of trees from a forest
Name three types of ecosystems.
Terrestrial, aquatic, and desert ecosystems
Name two biotic factors and two abiotic factors in a forest ecosystem.
Biotic - trees, deer; Abiotic - soil, sunlight
Name a primary consumer, a secondary consumer, and a decomposer in a pond ecosystem.
Primary - tadpoles; Secondary - fish; Decomposer - fungi
How is carbon released back into the atmosphere?
Through respiration, decomposition, and burning of fuels.
Name one positive and one negative effect of clearcutting.
Positive - more farmland; Negative - loss of biodiversity.
What is biodiversity, and why is it important?
Biodiversity is the variety of living things in a place, important for balance and health of ecosystems.
How do abiotic factors like wind and sunlight affect trees?
Wind helps roots grow deeper, and sunlight is used in photosynthesis
What happens if one species in a food chain is removed?
It disrupts the balance, affecting all species in the chain
True or False: New water is created in the water cycle.
False
What is overfishing, and why is it a problem?
Overfishing is catching too many fish, disrupting the food chain and leading to species decline
True or False: A rotting log can be an ecosystem.
True
What abiotic factors make deserts challenging for plants and animals?
Lack of water, extreme temperatures, and limited shelter
Why are decomposers important for ecosystems?
They recycle nutrients back into the soil
What role do plants play in the carbon cycle?
They absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis
How can humans help maintain sustainability in ecosystems?
Protecting biodiversity, reducing pollution, and replanting trees.
What are the basic needs of all living things in an ecosystem? - 5 needs
Food, water, shelter, air, and space.
How do biotic elements depend on abiotic elements for survival? Name 3 abiotic elements in your answer
Biotic elements rely on abiotic elements like water, sunlight, and soil for food production, shelter, and living conditions
In a food web, what would happen if all producers disappeared?
The entire food web would collapse because producers are the base of the energy pyramid.
What is transpiration, and why is it important to the water cycle?
Transpiration is the release of water vapor from plants, which helps with cloud formation
What are invasive species, and how do they harm ecosystems?
Invasive species are non-native organisms that disrupt ecosystems by overpopulating and outcompeting native species