Ecology Quiz on Ecosystem Dynamics

Ecological Balance

• Key factors that influence ecological balance:
  • Biodiversity: A wide variety of species contributes to a robust ecosystem.
  • Habitat availability: Adequate space and resources are crucial for sustaining populations.
  • Predator-prey relationships: Maintaining balance between predator and prey populations.
  • Nutrient cycling: The movement of essential elements within an ecosystem.
  • Climate stability: A stable climate ensures consistent conditions for organisms.

Keystone Species

• Keystone species are species that have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystems, often in relation to their abundance.
• Their removal can significantly alter the ecosystem structure and function.
• Examples: Sea otters in kelp forests, wolves in Yellowstone National Park, and large predatory fish in coral reefs.

Human Impact on Ecosystems

• Habitat destruction: Clearing land for agriculture, development, and logging.
• Pollution: Introducing harmful substances into the air, water, and soil.
• Invasive species: Introducing non-native species that can outcompete native organisms.
• Climate change: Modifying weather patterns, leading to shifts in species distribution and ecological interactions.
• Over-exploitation: Harvesting resources at unsustainable rates.

Producers in Ecosystems

• Producers are organisms like plants and algae that capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
• Producers form the base of the food chain, providing energy for all other organisms.
• They are essential for cycling nutrients within an ecosystem.

Nutrient Cycling

• Decomposition: Breakdown of dead organisms and waste products by microorganisms, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem.
• Nutrient uptake: Producers absorb nutrients from the soil and water.
• Consumption: Consumers obtain nutrients by eating producers or other consumers.
• Excretion: Waste products from organisms return nutrients to the environment.