Understanding Ecosystems

What is an ecosystem?

• A geographic area where only plants and animals interact

• A community of people living in the same area

• A large area of water where aquatic organisms live

• A geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life

Which of the following is an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?

• Bacteria

• Rocks

• Plants

• Animals

How can animals in an ecosystem be affected by a change in temperature?

• They may have to adapt, move to another ecosystem, or perish

• They will not be affected

• They will become more active

• They will only need to find more food

What is a biome?

• A small ecosystem found within a larger ecosystem

• A type of abiotic factor

• A single species of plant or animal

• A large section of land, sea, or atmosphere based on the types of plants and animals that live in them

Which ecosystem is characterized by the presence of date palm trees, freshwater, and animals such as crocodiles?

• Antarctica

• Gobi Desert

• Sahara Desert oasis ecosystems

• Tundra

What makes the Gobi Desert's ecosystems different from those of the Sahara Desert?

• It is mainly underwater

• It is characterized by heavy rainfall

• It is a hot desert with large sand dunes

• It is a cold desert with frequent snowfall

What has been a major impact of human activity on ecosystems?

• No significant impact

• Destruction and alteration of ecosystems

• Development of new ecosystems

• Increased biodiversity

Why do rainforest ecosystems make poor farmland?

• The soil is thin and has few nutrients

• They are too wet for most crops

• They are protected by international law

• They are too cold for agriculture

What is one way ecosystems can recover from destruction?

• Through natural disasters

• By human intervention and natural processes

• By increasing global temperatures

• Ecosystems cannot recover once destroyed

Which country recognizes ecosystem rights in its constitution?

• United States

• China

• Brazil

• Ecuador