Ecosystem Dynamics and Invasive Species

The video discusses predator-prey relationships and their role in maintaining ecosystem stability by regulating population sizes and matter cycles. It explains key terms like carrying capacity and invasive species, highlighting how invasive species can disrupt ecosystems due to a lack of predators. The video describes the structure of ecosystems, focusing on the flow of matter through producers, consumers, and decomposers. It emphasizes the importance of balanced population dynamics for ecosystem stability and provides an example of invasive species impact with rabbits in Australia.

What is the primary role of predator-prey relationships in ecosystems?

• To increase the number of predators

• To promote invasive species

• To maintain ecosystem stability

• To eliminate all prey species

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

• The minimum number of producers needed in an ecosystem

• The maximum number of individuals in a species that an ecosystem can support

• The maximum number of predators an ecosystem can support

• The total biomass of an ecosystem

How do invasive species typically affect ecosystems?

• They have no significant impact

• They help native species thrive

• They reduce biodiversity by outcompeting native species

• They increase the carrying capacity of the ecosystem

In the matter flow of an ecosystem, what role do producers play?

• They are eaten by decomposers

• They create energy for the ecosystem

• They consume primary consumers

• They decompose organic matter

What happens to matter when organisms die in an ecosystem?

• It disappears completely

• It is converted into energy

• It is recycled by decomposers

• It is lost from the ecosystem

Why is it important to have more prey than predators in an ecosystem?

• To decrease the carrying capacity

• To increase the number of predators

• To promote invasive species

• To ensure predators have enough food

What can result from having more tertiary consumers than secondary consumers?

• A balanced ecosystem

• An increase in primary consumers

• A decrease in secondary consumers

• An increase in producers

Why do invasive species often have large populations?

• They face no predation

• They are less adaptable

• They consume fewer resources

• They have many natural predators

What was the impact of rabbits in Australia as an invasive species?

• They had no impact on the ecosystem

• They increased the biodiversity of the ecosystem

• They endangered native species by consuming resources

• They helped native species thrive

What is a common solution to control invasive species?

• Reducing the number of native species

• Hunting or removing the invasive species

• Increasing the number of producers

• Introducing more invasive species