Keystone Species and Ecosystem Dynamics

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.

Front

Define a keystone species.

Back

A species that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community.

Front

Give an example of a keystone species.

Back

Sea otter.

Front

What role do decomposers play in a food web?

Back

They break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil.

Front

What does biodiversity refer to?

Back

The number of different species in a given area.

Front

What is the primary producer in an ecosystem?

Back

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis, such as plants.

Front

How do predators affect the population of prey species?

Back

Predators help control the population of prey species, maintaining balance in the ecosystem.

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.

Front

What is the significance of trophic levels in a food chain?

Back

Trophic levels represent the different stages in the flow of energy through an ecosystem.

Front

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence of who eats whom, while a food web is a complex network of feeding relationships.