Ecosystem Interactions

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their physical environment (soil, water, air).

Front

What is a food chain?

Back

A food chain is a sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

Front

What is a producer?

Back

A producer is an organism that uses sunlight to make its own food, such as plants.

Front

What is a consumer?

Back

A consumer is an organism that gets energy by eating other organisms.

Front

What is a decomposer?

Back

A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil.

Front

What are nonliving things in an ecosystem?

Back

Nonliving things include sunlight, temperature, water, air, wind, rocks, and soil.

Front

What is the role of sunlight in an ecosystem?

Back

Sunlight provides the energy needed for plants to produce food through photosynthesis.

Front

What happens when a predator is removed from an ecosystem?

Back

The population of prey species may increase significantly due to reduced predation.

Front

What is competition in an ecosystem?

Back

Competition occurs when organisms vie for the same resources, such as food, water, or space.

Front

What is a habitat?

Back

A habitat is the natural environment where an organism lives and grows.