Ecosystems and Environment

biotic and abiotic

forest

garden

<p>to provide oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>interact with each other</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>temperature</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>food</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>interacting organisms and their environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>plants, animals, microorganisms, and human beings</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>abiotic components</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Biotic factors (like plants and animals) rely on abiotic factors (such as sunlight, water, and soil) for survival. In turn, biotic factors influence abiotic factors; for instance, plant roots prevent soil erosion and leaf litter enriches the soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Energy flows from producers (plants) that convert sunlight into chemical energy, to consumers (animals) that eat plants or other animals, and finally to decomposers (bacteria and fungi) that break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the environment. The flow is unidirectional.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Natural ecosystems are generally self-sustaining due to diverse species and complex interactions. Artificial ecosystems require human intervention for maintaining balance, providing food, regulating oxygen, removing waste, etc., because they often lack complexity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment. This process is essential for recycling nutrients, which are then used by producers, maintaining the ecosystem's health.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A drought could reduce water levels (abiotic change), stressing or killing aquatic plants and animals (biotic effects). Reduced plant life affects oxygen levels, further harming aquatic life. Changes can cascade through the food web.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sunlight is the primary source of energy for almost all ecosystems. It is captured by producers (plants) through photosynthesis, converting it into chemical energy that fuels the entire food web.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'environment' encompasses all surrounding external conditions affecting organisms, including biotic and abiotic factors. An 'ecosystem' is a specific community of interacting organisms (biotic) and their physical environment (abiotic), forming a functional unit.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Considerations include providing adequate space, maintaining water quality and temperature, ensuring sufficient oxygen, supplying appropriate food, and managing waste buildup to mimic natural conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Short-term effects: Reduction in prey populations, altered feeding behaviors. Long-term effects: Potential extinction of some prey species, shifts in community structure, evolution of defense mechanisms in prey.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Soil composition, including nutrient content, pH, and texture, determines which plants can thrive in a particular area. For example, acidic soil favors certain plant species while limiting others, directly affecting plant biodiversity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Artificial ecosystems simplify complex interactions, allowing controlled study of biotic and abiotic factors, which can then inform understanding of larger, natural systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Increased temperature can alter metabolic rates of organisms, shift species distribution, and disrupt predator-prey relationships, leading to imbalances and potential ecosystem collapse.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The introduction of a new predator may cause a decline in native prey populations, competition with existing predators, and alterations in the ecosystem's trophic structure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Simple ecosystems are less stable and resilient due to lower biodiversity, making them more vulnerable to disruptions. Complex ecosystems have higher redundancy and interconnectedness, allowing them to better withstand and recover from disturbances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Human activities like deforestation and urbanization can isolate ecosystems, reducing gene flow, increasing extinction risk, and disrupting ecological processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Trophic levels show energy transfer efficiency. Managing ecosystems requires understanding how energy moves, ensuring lower levels support higher ones, and preventing disruptions that affect energy flow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Climate change can shift plant species ranges, favor drought-resistant species, alter flowering times, and increase the risk of invasive species, changing community structure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Microorganisms decompose matter, cycle nutrients, and support plant growth. Disruptions can impair these functions, leading to nutrient imbalances and reduced productivity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Removing a keystone species like sea otters can increase sea urchin populations, leading to overgrazing of kelp forests, reducing habitat and biodiversity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Succession increases biodiversity and complexity, enhancing stability. Activities like deforestation or pollution can halt or revert succession, reducing resilience.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The surrounding conditions affecting living organisms.

A community of interacting organisms and their environment.

Living parts of an ecosystem, such as plants and animals.

Non-living physical factors in an ecosystem like soil and water.

Ecosystems that occur naturally, like forests and lakes.

Ecosystems created by humans, like gardens and farms.

How organisms and abiotic elements affect each other.

The stability achieved when all ecosystem components work together.

An artificial ecosystem where aquatic organisms are kept.

A device used to provide oxygen in aquatic ecosystems like aquariums.

Biotic and abiotic elements that make up an ecosystem.

How living organisms within an ecosystem affect each other.

How non-living factors influence living organisms in an ecosystem.

Forests, ponds, and lakes that develop without human intervention.

Ecosystems like gardens and farms that are created by humans.

Processes like growth, reproduction, and interaction within an ecosystem.

An artificial ecosystem consisting of various plants and animals.

Factors to keep in mind when creating an aquarium include space and oxygen.

Critical for the health and functionality of ecosystems.

How organisms and their environment affect each other.

Includes natural ecosystems and artificial ecosystems.

Change in size or number of organisms affected by ecosystem factors.

An abiotic factor that affects living organisms' survival.

An abiotic component essential for plant and animal life.

A vital abiotic factor that provides nutrients to plants.

Essential for fish survival in an artificial ecosystem.

Consider space, water, and oxygen for fish survival.

Stability achieved through interaction of ecosystem components.