What is an ecosystem?
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What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of their environment.
Define the term biodiversity.
Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal species within an ecosystem.
True or False?
Food chains always start with a producer.
True.
Food chains always start with a producer (plant).
Define the term producer.
A producer is an organism that can produce its food from sunlight, water and air.
What is a primary consumer?
A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers.
What does interdependence in an ecosystem mean?
Interdependence is when the different biotic components depend on each other, and the abiotic components for survival (food, water and shelter) within an ecosystem. It means that changes in one component can have significant impacts on other parts of the ecosystem.
What is a tertiary consumer?
A tertiary consumer is an organism that eats secondary consumers.
Define what the term decomposers means.
Decomposers are fungi and bacteria that break down dead organic matter.
Define a stable ecosystem.
A stable ecosystem is one where all the biotic and abiotic components are in balance so that the biotic populations remain constant.
State one natural event which may disrupt an ecosystem.
Natural events which disrupt the ecosystem may include:
Wildfires caused by lightning.
Climate change (though it can be argued this is human-induced).
Spread of invasive species.
Disease.
Extreme weather events: floods or droughts.
True or False?
Oak trees are an example of a producer within a deciduous forest ecosystem.
True
Deciduous trees such as oak, elm, ash and beech are producers and grow in deciduous woodland.
True or False?
Animals can be within more than one trophic level.
True
Animals can be in more than one trophic level: For example, a fox will eat both primary consumers such as rabbits and secondary consumers such as voles.
What is a biome?
A biome is a large-scale ecosystem. They have similar climate, plant, animal and landscape characteristics. Tropical rainforests found in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia are all part of the tropical rainforest biome.
Name two factors which affect the distribution of biomes.
Two factors which affect the distribution of biomes can include any two of the following:
Latitude.
Precipitation.
Altitude.
Continentality.
Ocean currents.
True or False?
Areas of low pressure experience low rainfall and areas of high pressure experience high rainfall.
False.
Areas of high pressure experience low rainfall, and areas of low-pressure experience high rainfall.