Ch.3 The Biosphere Test

Front

What is ecology?

Back

Ecology is the branch of biology that studies the interactions between organisms and their environment, including the relationships among different organisms and their physical surroundings.

Front

What is an estuary?

Back

An estuary is a coastal area where freshwater from rivers and streams meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating a unique ecosystem.

Front

What is the significance of the interaction between populations in an ecosystem?

Back

Interactions between populations, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis, are crucial for maintaining the balance and health of ecosystems.

Front

What are spawning and nursery grounds?

Back

Spawning and nursery grounds are specific areas in aquatic environments where fish and shellfish reproduce and where their young develop, providing essential habitats for their life cycles.

Front

What is primary productivity?

Back

Primary productivity refers to the rate at which energy is produced by photosynthetic organisms (like plants and algae) in an ecosystem, forming the base of the food web.

Front

What are the four Earth systems?

Back

The four Earth systems are the atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (water), lithosphere (land), and biosphere (living things), which interact with each other in various ways.

Front

How do matter and energy flow in ecosystems?

Back

Matter and energy flow through ecosystems in cycles, such as the water cycle and food chains, where energy is transferred from producers to consumers.

Front

What is the role of mangroves in an estuary ecosystem?

Back

Mangroves are trees that grow in coastal intertidal zones, providing habitat for wildlife, stabilizing shorelines, and filtering pollutants from water.

Front

What is the impact of human development on ecosystems?

Back

Human development, such as building hotels or houses, can lead to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of natural processes in ecosystems.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy and nutrients flow through different trophic levels.