Exploring Ecosystems and Habitats

What is an ecosystem?

• A collection of plants in a garden

• A group of people living in a city

• A type of weather pattern

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

Name three types of habitats.

• grasslands

• forests, deserts, wetlands

• oceans

• mountains

How do plants and animals interact in an ecosystem?

• Plants and animals do not interact in an ecosystem.

• Plants and animals interact solely through competition.

• Animals only rely on other animals for survival.

• Plants and animals interact through food chains, pollination, and habitat provision, creating a balanced ecosystem.

What is the role of a producer in an ecosystem?

• Producers are primarily responsible for decomposing organic matter.

• Producers are organisms that consume other organisms for energy.

• Producers are animals that hunt for food in the ecosystem.

• Producers are organisms that create energy through photosynthesis, serving as the foundation of the food chain.

Why is biodiversity important in a habitat?

• Biodiversity is irrelevant to ecosystem health.

• Biodiversity only benefits humans directly.

• Biodiversity is important because it enhances ecosystem resilience, supports food webs, and provides essential services.

• Biodiversity decreases competition among species.