LS.5.2.1, 5.2.3 - 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 are producers in an ecosystem?

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Producers are organisms, like plants, that create their own food through photosynthesis and provide energy for other organisms in the ecosystem.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow.

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What role do herbivores play in an ecosystem?

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Herbivores are animals that eat plants and are primary consumers in the food chain, transferring energy from producers to higher trophic levels.

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What is a terrestrial ecosystem?

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A terrestrial ecosystem is a land-based environment, such as forests, grasslands, and deserts, where organisms interact with each other and their surroundings.

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What is a predator?

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A predator is an animal that hunts and eats other animals (prey) for food.

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What is a decomposer?

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Decomposers are organisms, like fungi and bacteria, that break down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the soil.

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What is the difference between a grassland and a forest ecosystem?

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Grasslands are dominated by grasses and have few trees, while forests have a dense canopy of trees and a more diverse range of plant and animal life.

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What happens to a food web if a top predator is removed?

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If a top predator is removed, the population of its prey may increase, leading to overgrazing or depletion of producers.

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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, creating a unique ecosystem.