Exploring Ecosystems and Biomes

What is an ecosystem?

• An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.

• A type of weather pattern.

• A collection of plants in a garden.

• A group of people living in a city.

Name three types of biomes.

• Mountains

• Forests, Deserts, Grasslands

• Oceans

• Tundras

How do plants adapt to their environment?

• Plants adapt by changing their color to attract pollinators.

• Plants do not adapt; they remain the same regardless of their environment.

• Plants rely solely on water availability for survival.

• Plants adapt to their environment by modifying their structures and behaviors, such as changing leaf shape, root depth, and growth patterns.

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

• Decomposers produce energy for plants.

• Decomposers are primary consumers in the food chain.

• Decomposers compete with plants for sunlight.

• Decomposers recycle nutrients and help maintain ecosystem balance.

Describe the difference between a desert and a rainforest biome.

• Deserts receive heavy snowfall and have a variety of trees; rainforests are dry and barren.

• Deserts are characterized by high humidity and lush plant life; rainforests have low humidity and few plants.

• Deserts are found near the poles and rainforests near the equator; both have similar temperatures throughout the year.

• Deserts have low rainfall and sparse vegetation; rainforests have high rainfall and dense vegetation.

What is biodiversity and why is it important?

• Biodiversity is the study of animal behavior in captivity.

• Biodiversity is the process of planting trees in urban areas.

• Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, and it is important for ecosystem health, resilience, and human well-being.

• Biodiversity refers to the number of species in a single habitat.

How do human activities impact ecosystems?

• Human activities only benefit ecosystems through conservation efforts.

• Human activities have no effect on ecosystems whatsoever.

• Human activities enhance ecosystems by increasing biodiversity.

• Human activities negatively impact ecosystems by causing habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.

What are the main components of an ecosystem?

• Climate and geography.

• Water and soil types.

• Producers and consumers only.

• Biotic and abiotic components.

Explain the water cycle and its importance to ecosystems.

• The water cycle is irrelevant to climate change.

• The water cycle only affects ocean life.

• The water cycle is essential for ecosystems as it sustains life by providing water, regulating climate, and supporting biodiversity.

• The water cycle is a man-made process.

What is a food chain and how does it function in a biome?

• A food chain is a random assortment of plants and animals in a biome.

• A food chain is a sequence of organisms that shows how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem, starting from producers to various levels of consumers.

• A food chain only includes herbivores and their food sources.

• A food chain is a diagram that shows the weather patterns in an ecosystem.