Unit 12

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

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

Front

What are producers in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers are organisms, like plants, that create their own food through photosynthesis and form the base of the food chain.

Front

What happens when a new species is introduced to an ecosystem?

Back

The introduction of a new species can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem, potentially leading to a decrease in native species and changes in resource availability.

Front

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and helping to maintain the nutrient cycle.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that shows how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem.

Front

What effect does removing producers from an ecosystem have?

Back

Removing producers can lead to the collapse of the food web, as consumers (herbivores and carnivores) depend on them for energy.

Front

What is the impact of pesticides on food chains?

Back

Pesticides can reduce the population of certain species, which can have a cascading effect on the food chain, affecting predators and other organisms.

Front

How do prairie dogs benefit their ecosystem?

Back

Prairie dogs aerate the soil with their tunnels and their waste adds nutrients, which helps support plant growth.

Front

What is competition in an ecosystem?

Back

Competition occurs when two or more species or individuals vie for the same resources, such as food, water, or space.

Front

What is adaptation in plants?

Back

Adaptation is a change in a plant's structure or behavior that helps it survive in its environment, such as growing quickly to outcompete other plants.