Environmental Science Final Exam Review

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What is an ecosystem?

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An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (biotic factors) interacting with their physical environment (abiotic factors) in a specific area.

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What is the biosphere?

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The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, representing the zone of life on Earth, including land, water, and the atmosphere.

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Why is biodiversity important in an ecosystem?

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Biodiversity is crucial because it helps maintain ecosystem stability, resilience, and productivity, allowing ecosystems to recover from disturbances.

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What is a population in ecological terms?

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A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area at the same time.

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What is a community in ecology?

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A community is a group of different species that live together in one area and interact with each other.

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What are abiotic factors?

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Abiotic factors are the non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms, such as sunlight, temperature, and water.

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What are biotic factors?

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Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

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What is an ecological niche?

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An ecological niche is the role and position a species has in its environment, including all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.

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What is the energy pyramid?

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The energy pyramid is a graphical representation of the energy flow in an ecosystem, showing the energy available at each trophic level.

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What happens to energy as it moves up the food chain?

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As energy moves up the food chain, it decreases due to energy loss at each trophic level, primarily through metabolic processes.