Ecosystems

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What is an ecosystem?

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An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their physical environment (air, water, soil) in a specific area.

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What is an adaptation?

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An adaptation is a feature or trait that helps an organism survive in its environment, such as camouflage or a special way of finding food.

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What happens to the consumer population when the producer population increases?

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The consumer population will most likely increase because there is more food available.

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What is a producer in an ecosystem?

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A producer is an organism that makes its own food, usually through photosynthesis, and provides energy for consumers.

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What is an estuary?

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An estuary is a coastal area where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean.

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What is a food chain?

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A food chain is a sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

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What is the role of a consumer in an ecosystem?

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A consumer is an organism that eats other organisms (plants or animals) to obtain energy.

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What is the impact of a decrease in the bird population on the food chain?

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If the bird population decreases, the population of the animals that the birds eat (like grasshoppers) may increase, which can lead to a decrease in plant populations.

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms in an ecosystem.

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What is a habitat?

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A habitat is the natural environment where an organism lives, including all the living and non-living factors.