Energy Flow and Ecosystem Changes in Food Webs

The video tutorial explains how energy flows through food webs, starting with the sun and moving through producers and various levels of consumers. It discusses the impact of changes in ecosystems, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and overfishing, on food webs. The tutorial uses examples like rabbits, wolves, algae, minnows, crabs, and dolphins to illustrate these effects. Students are encouraged to predict changes in food webs based on these scenarios.

What is the primary source of energy for all food webs?

• The moon

• The wind

• The sun

• The ocean

Which organisms are considered primary consumers in a food web?

• Decomposers

• Omnivores

• Herbivores

• Carnivores

What is the likely outcome for plant populations if rabbits are removed from an ecosystem?

• Decrease in plant population

• Plants will become extinct

• Increase in plant population

• No change in plant population

How would the wolf population be affected if their primary food source, rabbits, is removed?

• Wolves would migrate to another area

• Wolf population would remain stable

• Wolf population would decrease

• Wolf population would increase

What happens to the minnow population if algae are killed by pesticides?

• Minnow population remains the same

• Minnow population increases

• Minnow population decreases

• Minnows become predators

What is the initial effect on sea urchins if crabs are removed from the ecosystem?

• Sea urchins become extinct

• Sea urchin population remains stable

• Sea urchin population decreases

• Sea urchin population increases

Which organism is directly affected by the removal of crabs as their only food source?

• Dolphins

• Pinfish

• Toadfish

• Spotted sea trout

What is the predicted outcome for dolphins if crabs are removed from their diet?

• Dolphins become herbivores

• Dolphin population remains the same

• Dolphin population decreases

• Dolphin population increases

What is the main reason for a decrease in the toadfish population if crabs are removed?

• Increased predation

• Lack of food

• Lack of shelter

• Pollution

What should students do next after learning about changes in ecosystems?

• Predict changes in food webs

• Conduct a field study

• Create a food web model

• Write a report