Ecosystems
What are the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ecosystem.
Producers create energy through photosynthesis, consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms, and decomposers break down dead matter to recycle nutrients.
What conservation strategies can individuals and communities use to reduce their use of nonrenewable resources?
Strategies include using energy-efficient appliances, reducing water usage, recycling materials, and utilizing public transportation.
Why is biodiversity important for the stability of an ecosystem?
Biodiversity increases resilience to environmental changes and supports a variety of ecosystem services such as food, medicine, and climate regulation.
How do human activities like urbanization affect natural ecosystems?
Urbanization leads to habitat destruction, pollution, and increased resource consumption, which can negatively impact ecosystems.
What is a watershed, and why is it important to the environment?
A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common body of water, like a river, lake, or ocean. It is important because it helps move water through the environment, supports plants and animals, and affects water quality. Keeping watersheds clean helps prevent pollution and protects drinking water for people and wildlife.
How do abiotic factors such as temperature and water availability influence the survival of organisms in an ecosystem?
Abiotic factors determine which organisms can survive by affecting their ability to grow, reproduce, and obtain resources.
Why is it important to develop and use more renewable energy sources?
Renewable energy reduces dependence on finite resources, lowers pollution, and is more sustainable over long periods.
What might happen if an invasive species is introduced to an ecosystem, and why is this a problem?
An invasive species can outcompete native species, leading to reduced biodiversity and ecosystem imbalances.
Why is sustainable development important, and what are some ways we can achieve it?
Why is sustainable development important, and what are some ways we can achieve it?
Describe the process of infiltration and its importance to groundwater supplies.
Infiltration is when water soaks into the ground, replenishing aquifers and providing freshwater for drinking and agriculture.
Describe an example of mutualism and explain how both organisms benefit.
In mutualism, both species benefit. For example, bees pollinate flowers while collecting nectar, helping plants reproduce while feeding themselves.
How does burning fossil fuels impact the environment, and what are some alternative energy sources?
Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Alternatives include solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric energy.
How does the continuous population growth of the local area impact the environment AND the biodiversity in it?
As more people move in, more land is used for houses, roads, and stores, which can harm plants and animals. This can potentially kill species, reducing biodiversity. More people also use more water, electricity, and food, creating more pollution and waste. This can make the air dirtier, traffic worse, and the environment harder to keep clean.
Describe how agriculture can contribute to both environmental problems and solutions.
Agriculture can cause deforestation and pollution but can also be managed sustainably through crop rotation, organic farming, and responsible water use.
What is the role of transpiration in the water cycle, and how do plants contribute to this process?
Transpiration is the release of water vapor from plants into the atmosphere, helping regulate moisture levels and local climate conditions.
How does energy move through an ecosystem, and why is the amount of energy available at each level of a food web reduced?
Energy moves from producers to consumers and then to decomposers. Energy decreases at each level due to heat loss in metabolic processes. Each trophic level only gets 10% of the energy from the previous level.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using wind energy as a power source.
Advantages: Renewable, no emissions. Disadvantages: Can be inconsistent and requires large land areas.
How can human activities such as deforestation and pollution lead to species extinction?
These activities destroy habitats, reduce available resources, and introduce harmful substances, making it difficult for species to survive.
What is the relationship between carbon emissions and climate change, and what actions can be taken to reduce emissions?
Carbon emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise. Reducing fossil fuel use and increasing forested areas can help.
Explain how human activities such as deforestation and urbanization can impact the water cycle.
Deforestation reduces transpiration, affecting rainfall patterns, while urbanization increases runoff and decreases infiltration, leading to flooding.
Explain how the removal of a predator from an ecosystem could affect the population of its prey and other species.
The prey population might increase significantly, which could lead to overgrazing or depletion of food sources, impacting other species in the food web.
Explain how hydroelectric power is generated and identify one environmental concern associated with it.
Hydroelectric power is generated by using moving water to turn turbines, producing electricity. A concern is habitat destruction due to dam construction.
Explain how conservation efforts, such as national parks and wildlife preserves, help protect biodiversity.
These efforts create protected areas where ecosystems can thrive without human interference, ensuring species survival.
How does plastic pollution affect marine ecosystems, and what solutions exist to reduce its impact?
Plastic harms marine life by entanglement and ingestion. Solutions include recycling, using biodegradable materials, and reducing single-use plastics.
How can water conservation strategies help maintain a balanced water cycle?
Water conservation reduces waste, ensures availability during droughts, and maintains natural ecosystem functions by preventing overuse.