Living Things and the Environment

Interactions Between Living Things

Exploring the relationships and dependencies between organisms and their environment.

Interactions Between Living Things and their Environment

1. Limiting factors cause the sizes of populations to stop decreasing or to increase. 2. A forest ecosystem has different levels of organization:

• Ecosystem
• Organism

Fill in the Blanks

name a biotic factor that could affect a rabbit

Multiple Choice

a parasite is an example of a

• environmental factor

• an abiotic factor

• a biotic factor

Forest Ecosystem:

A forest ecosystem has different levels of organization. Forests are complex systems with various levels of organization, including individual organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems. Each level interacts with and depends on the others, creating a delicate balance. Understanding these levels is crucial for managing and conserving forest ecosystems.

Multiple Choice

What are the biotic factors that provide essential nutrients and energy for groundhogs in a meadow environment?

• Sunlight and air

• Water and rocks

• Water and clover

• Grass and insects

Water and Clover

Trivia: Groundhogs in a meadow environment rely on water and clover for essential nutrients and energy. Clover provides a rich source of protein, while water is crucial for hydration. These biotic factors play a vital role in the survival of groundhogs in their habitat.

Interactions Between Bison and Grasslands

The y-axis values on the graph represent the population size of American Plains bison in northern Yellowstone National Park between 1902 and 1915. Hunting in the late 1800s threatened their existence, but conservation efforts by landowners and the U.S. government helped save the species.

Multiple Choice

What threatened the existence of American Plains bison in northern Yellowstone National Park?

• Hunting

• Disease

• Natural disasters

• Habitat loss

American Plains Bison

Hunting threatened the existence of American Plains bison in northern Yellowstone National Park. In the late 1800s, unregulated hunting led to a drastic decline in their population. From millions to less than 30 individuals, they were on the brink of extinction. Conservation efforts have since helped their numbers recover.

Interactions Between Living Things and their Environment: Population Density

Population density is influenced by various factors, including natural disasters, changes in food availability, shelter availability, and the presence or absence of certain species. Understanding these interactions is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. In the case of a drought, resource availability decreases, leading to a potential decrease in population density.

Multiple Select

What 2 factors can potentially lead to a decrease in population density

• Natural disasters

• the full moon

• Shelter availability

• a water fall

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods can lead to a decrease in population density. These events can cause displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of life, resulting in a decline in the number of people living in an area.