3/5 DOL Ecosystem Limiting Factors

What is the primary role of water in an ecosystem?

• To provide shelter for animals

• To support plant growth and photosynthesis

• To regulate temperature

• To provide nutrients

Explain how sunlight exposure can influence the temperature of an ecosystem.

• Sunlight exposure has no effect on temperature

• Increased sunlight exposure can raise the temperature

• Sunlight exposure only affects water temperature

• Sunlight exposure decreases temperature

Analyze how the interaction between water and sunlight can affect plant growth.

• Plants grow better with less water and more sunlight

• Adequate water and sunlight are both necessary for optimal plant growth

• Only sunlight is important for plant growth

• Water and sunlight have no interaction

Predict the impact on an ecosystem if there is a prolonged period of low sunlight.

• Increased plant growth

• Decreased plant growth and reduced food supply for herbivores

• No change in the ecosystem

• Increase in water availability

What might happen to an ecosystem if the soil becomes too dry?

• Plant growth will increase

• Plant growth will decrease, affecting the entire food chain

• Animal populations will increase

• Sunlight exposure will decrease