Ecosystem Changes and Energy Flow

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What is an ecosystem?

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

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What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

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Producers, like plants, make their own food through photosynthesis and provide energy for other organisms in the ecosystem.

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What are consumers in an ecosystem?

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Consumers are organisms that eat other living things for energy. They can be herbivores (plant-eaters), carnivores (meat-eaters), or omnivores (both).

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What are decomposers?

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Decomposers are organisms, like fungi and bacteria, that break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil.

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How does energy flow in an ecosystem?

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Energy flows from producers to consumers and then to decomposers in a food chain.

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What happens if a producer in an ecosystem dies?

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If a producer dies, it can affect the entire food chain, as consumers that rely on it for food may struggle to survive.

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What is a food chain?

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

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, showing how different organisms are related.

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What is the impact of an endangered species on an ecosystem?

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An endangered species can disrupt the energy flow in an ecosystem, affecting other species that depend on it for food.

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What is an overabundant species?

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An overabundant species is one that has a population size that exceeds the ecosystem's capacity, potentially leading to resource depletion.