Energy Flow and Ecosystem Dynamics

The video explores the Great Smoky Mountains, highlighting its biodiversity and the energy flow in ecosystems. It explains how living things derive energy from the sun, the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers, and the structure of food webs. The video also provides safety tips for encountering bears in the wild.

What is the primary source of energy for most living organisms on Earth?

• Volcanic Activity

• The Sun

• The Moon

• Ocean Currents

Which process allows producers to capture energy from the sun?

• Respiration

• Decomposition

• Photosynthesis

• Fermentation

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

• They compete with producers for sunlight.

• They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients.

• They consume other animals.

• They produce energy from sunlight.

What is a food web?

• A diagram showing only producers.

• A network of interconnected food chains.

• A single food chain in an ecosystem.

• A list of all species in an ecosystem.

What might happen if a middle-level predator is removed from an ecosystem?

• The ecosystem will remain unchanged.

• Primary producers will increase.

• Herbivore populations may grow unchecked.

• Apex predators will become herbivores.

How much energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next?

• 10%

• 25%

• 50%

• 1%

Why is there less biomass at higher trophic levels?

• Decomposers consume all the energy.

• Producers are less efficient.

• Energy is lost as heat at each level.

• Higher levels have more predators.

What should you do if you encounter a black bear on a trail?

• Run away quickly.

• Make yourself look larger and make noise.

• Throw food to distract it.

• Climb a tree to escape.

How much space should you give a black bear if you see one?

• 10 yards

• 100 yards

• 20 yards

• 50 yards

What is a common misconception about black bears?

• They are always aggressive.

• They are herbivores.

• They can swim.

• They hibernate in summer.