Environmental Science Chapter 1 Flashcard

Front

What is an ecosystem service?

Back

An ecosystem service is a benefit that humans receive from the natural environment, such as the production of food and oxygen.

Front

Define an ecosystem.

Back

An ecosystem is a group of biological communities inhabiting the same area, including both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors.

Front

What is primary succession?

Back

Primary succession occurs when an ecosystem develops from bare ground, such as after a volcanic eruption or glacier retreat.

Front

What does carrying capacity refer to?

Back

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a species that an area can support sustainably.

Front

True or False: Primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers can make their own food.

Back

False. Primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers cannot make their own food and must ingest other organisms.

Front

What are primary consumers?

Back

Primary consumers are organisms that eat producers (plants) to obtain energy.

Front

What are secondary consumers?

Back

Secondary consumers are organisms that eat primary consumers to obtain energy.

Front

What are tertiary consumers?

Back

Tertiary consumers are organisms that eat secondary consumers to obtain energy.

Front

What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?

Back

Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem, while abiotic factors are non-living components, such as water, soil, and climate.

Front

What is biodiversity?

Back

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of species and genetic diversity.