Ecosystems

Mr. Anderson discusses ecosystems, focusing on the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. He explains primary productivity, food chains, and food webs, emphasizing the role of producers and consumers. The video covers population growth, logistic growth, and carrying capacity, using wolves and elk in Yellowstone as examples. Human impacts, such as climate change, are highlighted, showing their effects on ecosystems like the whitebark pine. The video concludes with the delicate balance and feedback loops in ecosystems.

What is the primary reason Yellowstone National Park was established?

• To establish a research center

• To promote tourism

• To conserve wildlife

• To protect geothermal features

What does primary productivity measure in an ecosystem?

• The number of species present

• The amount of energy consumed

• The biomass produced by producers

• The diversity of organisms

Which of the following is a primary producer in aquatic ecosystems?

• Algae

• Chinook salmon

• Rainbow smelt

• Amphipods

What is the main difference between a food chain and a food web?

• A food chain is linear, while a food web shows complex interactions

• A food chain includes all species, while a food web does not

• A food chain is found only in aquatic environments

• A food web is a simplified version of a food chain

What does the term 'carrying capacity' refer to in an ecosystem?

• The diversity of trophic levels in an ecosystem

• The maximum population size an ecosystem can sustain

• The total biomass of an ecosystem

• The maximum number of species an ecosystem can support

What was the effect of reintroducing wolves into Yellowstone Park?

• Decreased the wolf population

• Increased the elk population

• Created a predator-prey equilibrium

• Eliminated competition among species

What is the relationship between wolves and elk in Yellowstone?

• Wolves increase the elk population

• Wolves and elk have no interaction

• Wolves are prey for elk

• Wolves are predators of elk

How does climate change affect the whitebark pine in Yellowstone?

• It increases their growth rate

• It makes them more resistant to cold

• It has no effect on them

• It causes their population to decline

What role do squirrels play in the whitebark pine ecosystem?

• They create middens of pine nuts

• They disperse pine seeds

• They consume grizzly bears

• They pollinate the pine trees

What is a significant consequence of human-induced climate change on ecosystems?

• Increased biodiversity

• Stabilized food webs

• Rapid species adaptation

• Pressure on species and ecosystem connections