Understanding Ecosystem Interactions

What is an ecosystem?

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

• A collection of plants in a garden

• A type of weather pattern

• A single species of animal in a habitat

Define the term 'biotic factors' in an ecosystem.

• Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem.

• Biotic factors refer to the physical environment of an ecosystem.

• Biotic factors are the chemical processes occurring in an ecosystem.

• Biotic factors are the non-living components of an ecosystem.

What are abiotic factors? Give two examples.

• Soil and sunlight

• Plants and animals

• Oxygen and carbon dioxide

• Two examples of abiotic factors are temperature and water.

Explain the concept of food chains and food webs.

• Food chains are only found in aquatic environments.

• Food webs consist of only one food chain.

• Food chains and food webs are the same concept.

• Food chains represent linear feeding relationships, while food webs illustrate complex interconnections among multiple food chains.

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

• Producers are primarily responsible for decomposing organic matter.

• Producers are the top predators in an ecosystem.

• Producers rely on other organisms for their energy needs.

• Producers are essential for converting solar energy into chemical energy, supporting all other trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Describe the relationship between predators and prey.

• Prey species actively hunt predators for food.

• Predators and prey live in harmony without interaction.

• Predators hunt and consume prey, while prey species develop adaptations to avoid predation.

• Predators and prey are the same species that compete for resources.

What is symbiosis? Name and describe its three types.

• Symbiosis is a type of competition between species.

• The three types of symbiosis are: 1. Mutualism - both organisms benefit; 2. Commensalism - one benefits, the other is unaffected; 3. Parasitism - one benefits at the other's expense.

• Symbiosis is when organisms live in isolation from each other.

• Symbiosis only occurs in plants and fungi.

How do decomposers contribute to an ecosystem?

• Decomposers create waste that harms the ecosystem.

• Decomposers produce energy for plants.

• Decomposers recycle nutrients and maintain ecosystem balance.

• Decomposers compete with producers for resources.

What is the significance of biodiversity in ecosystems?

• Biodiversity decreases competition among species.

• Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem health and resilience.

• Biodiversity is irrelevant to ecosystem stability.

• Biodiversity only benefits human activities.

How do human activities impact ecosystem interactions?

• Human activities negatively impact ecosystem interactions by disrupting habitats and altering species relationships.

• Human activities only benefit certain species without impacting others.

• Human activities have no effect on ecosystem interactions whatsoever.

• Human activities enhance ecosystem interactions by promoting biodiversity.