Changes in populations

Front

What are limiting factors in an ecosystem?

Back

Limiting factors are conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of organisms in an ecosystem, such as food, water, space, and shelter.

Front

How do limiting factors affect population size?

Back

Limiting factors keep a population from getting too large by restricting resources.

Front

What is the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

Back

Energy flows from producers (like grass) to consumers (like rabbits and coyotes) in a food chain.

Front

What happens to the population of squirrels if there are more acorns available?

Back

The population of squirrels is likely to increase because they have more food available.

Front

What effect do predators have on prey populations?

Back

Predators can decrease the population of their prey by consuming them.

Front

What is a food chain?

Back

A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

Front

What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, like plants, create energy through photosynthesis and are the foundation of the food chain.

Front

What is the relationship between weather conditions and population changes?

Back

Favorable weather conditions can lead to increased food production, which can cause populations of consumers to grow.

Front

What happens to the rabbit population if two foxes enter their ecosystem?

Back

The rabbit population is likely to decrease due to increased predation by the foxes.