Ecosystem Dynamics and Biodiversity

The video explores the concepts of food chains and food webs, highlighting the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers. It explains energy flow through trophic levels and the impact of changes within food chains. The importance of biodiversity for ecosystem resilience is discussed, emphasizing the need to protect it. Decomposers are also highlighted as essential components of ecosystems.

What is one reason nature shows were appealing to the narrator as a child?

• They disliked science.

• Nature shows were the only available TV signal.

• They enjoyed dancing around with the TV antennae.

• They had access to cable TV.

In a food chain, what is the role of a producer?

• To be the top predator.

• To decompose dead matter.

• To make its own food.

• To consume other organisms.

How much energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next in a food chain?

• 10%

• 50%

• 1%

• 100%

What could happen if a primary consumer is removed from a food chain?

• The apex predator will become extinct.

• The producers will increase in number.

• The secondary consumers may lack food.

• The ecosystem remains unaffected.

Why is a food web a better model than a food chain?

• It shows a single path of energy flow.

• It includes multiple interacting food chains.

• It only focuses on producers.

• It excludes decomposers.

What is biodiversity?

• The number of producers in an ecosystem.

• The variety of organisms in a given area.

• The number of decomposers in a food web.

• The energy flow in a food chain.

How does biodiversity contribute to ecosystem sustainability?

• By increasing the number of producers.

• By reducing the number of predators.

• By providing alternative food sources.

• By eliminating decomposers.

What is one benefit of high biodiversity?

• It decreases ecosystem resilience.

• It leads to economic benefits.

• It limits the variety of organisms.

• It reduces the number of food webs.

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

• They produce their own food.

• They consume living organisms.

• They are the top predators.

• They break down dead matter.

Which organisms are considered decomposers?

• Producers and consumers.

• Bacteria and fungi.

• Herbivores and carnivores.

• Plants and algae.