Ecosystem Stability

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

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

Front

What is food web?

Back

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

Front

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, such as plants and algae, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

Front

What are consumers in an ecosystem?

Back

Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by eating other organisms. They can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores.

Front

What is biodiversity?

Back

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of different species and their relative abundance.

Front

How does the removal of a keystone species affect an ecosystem?

Back

The removal of a keystone species can lead to significant changes in the ecosystem, often resulting in decreased biodiversity and stability.

Front

What is a trophic level?

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, defined by how an organism obtains its energy (e.g., producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers).

Front

What is ecological stability?

Back

Ecological stability refers to the ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over time, despite external stress or disturbances.

Front

What is the impact of deforestation on ecosystems?

Back

Deforestation can lead to habitat loss, decreased biodiversity, and disruption of water cycles, ultimately destabilizing the ecosystem.

Front

What is the significance of zooplankton in aquatic ecosystems?

Back

Zooplankton are crucial in aquatic ecosystems as they serve as primary consumers, feeding on phytoplankton and providing energy for higher trophic levels.