Ecosystems and Their Characteristics Match Quiz

Freshwater = Low salinity and includes lakes and rivers Marine = High salinity and includes oceans and seas Coral reef = Diverse underwater ecosystems built from coral Estuary = Where freshwater meets saltwater

Watershed = Area of land that drains into a river Intertidal zone = Area between high and low tide Coral reef = Structure formed by coral polyps Estuary = Transition zone between river and sea

Mercury = Closest planet to the sun Earth = Contains a protective atmosphere Mars = Known as the red planet Venus = Hottest planet due to greenhouse effect

<p>Gaia hypothesis = Earth functions like a living organism Great Pacific Garbage Patch = Area of high marine debris concentration Invasive species = Non-native species that disrupt ecosystems Acid precipitation = Rainfall made acidic by pollutants</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Biodiversity loss = Reduction in variety of life Food web disruption = Imbalance in ecosystem interactions Economic impacts = Financial costs related to management Health risks = Threats to human well-being from invasives</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Clear cutting = Removal of all or most of the trees in a given area Shelterwood cutting = Harvesting in a series of two or more cuts Selective cutting = Periodically harvesting selected trees only None = A method that has the least ecological impact</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Air pressure = Stronger at sea level than at high altitude Desert temperature = Can be cold at night due to lack of clouds Ultraviolet radiation = Blocked by Earth's atmosphere Mountain climbing = Feels stronger due to elevation gain</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Producers = Contains the greatest biomass in most ecosystems Primary consumers = Herbivores that eat producers Secondary consumers = Carnivores that eat herbivores Tertiary consumers = Carnivores that eat other carnivores</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ecological niche = Role and position a species has in its environment Food chain = A linear sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next Food web = A complex network of interconnected food chains Trophic level = The position an organism occupies in a food web</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Introduced species = Moved by humans to new environments Invasive species = Introduced species that disrupt ecosystems Native species = Species that originated in a particular area Endemic species = Species unique to a specific location</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Water cycle = Urbanization can lead to reduced infiltration Carbon cycle = Burning fossil fuels increases atmospheric carbon Nitrogen cycle = Fertilizer runoff can cause eutrophication None = Human activities have no impact on these cycles</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sulfur Dioxide = Burning of fossil fuels Nitrogen Oxides = Transportation sources Carbon Dioxide = Respiration and combustion Methane = Agricultural practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Muscovite = Can neutralize acid Smectite = Can neutralize acid Gypsum = Can neutralize acid Quartz = Cannot neutralize acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Predation = A lion hunting a gazelle Competition = Two plants competing for sunlight Mutualism = Bees pollinating flowers Parasitism = A tick feeding on a deer</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Boreal forest = Cold climate with coniferous trees Deciduous forest = Moderate climate with broadleaf trees Grassland = Open area with grasses and few trees Desert = Dry area with very low precipitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Dissolution of magnesium = Nutrient loss Dissolution of calcium = Nutrient loss Inhibition of growth = Plant health decline Increase in temperature = Ecosystem stress</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Temperature = Influences metabolic rates of organisms Water availability = Essential for all life forms Soil composition = Affects plant growth and nutrient cycling Light intensity = Determines photosynthesis rates in plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Dispersants = For ocean containment Booms = For ocean containment Berms = For land containment Trenches = For land containment</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Increased evaporation = More intense storms and precipitation Higher temperatures = Melting glaciers and rising sea levels Altered precipitation patterns = Droughts in some regions None = Climate change has no effect on the water cycle</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Biotic = Living components of an ecosystem Abiotic = Non-living components of an ecosystem Ecosystem = Interactions of living and non-living things Biome = Large geographical region defined by climate</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Herbivores = Animals that eat only plants Carnivores = Animals that eat only meat Omnivores = Animals that eat both plants and meat Detritivores = Animals that feed on remains of other organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mutualism = Both organisms benefit Commensalism = One benefits, the other is neither helped nor harmed Parasitism = One benefits, the other is harmed Competition = Both organisms compete for resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Evaporation = Liquid to gas Precipitation = Water falling from clouds Condensation = Gas to liquid Transpiration = Plants releasing water vapor</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Temperature = Abiotic feature Bacteria = Biotic feature Sunlight = Abiotic feature Dead leaves = Biotic feature</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Oil spills = Direct harm to wildlife and ecosystems Great Pacific Garbage Patch = Accumulation of plastic debris in the ocean Resource management = Sustainable use of natural resources Forestry cutting methods = Techniques for harvesting trees</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Backyard pond = Aquatic ecosystem Tree = Terrestrial ecosystem Vase of cut flowers = Artificial ecosystem Digestive system = Biological ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Trophic levels = Layers in a food web representing different feeding relationships Omnivores = Organisms that eat both plants and animals Secondary consumers = Organisms that eat primary consumers Top carnivores = Predators at the highest level of a food chain</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Photosynthesis = Produces energy-rich substances Cellular respiration = Uses energy produced in photosynthesis Energy from the Sun = Partially absorbed by plants Photosynthesis and respiration = Interconnected processes in energy transfer</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Clear-cutting = Complete removal of trees from an area Selective cutting = Only certain trees are harvested Shelterwood cutting = Removes trees in phases to protect young seedlings Thinning = Reduction of tree density to improve growth conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Producers = Organisms that produce their own food Consumers = Organisms that consume other organisms Herbivores = Animals that eat only plants Carnivores = Animals that eat only other animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Loss of habitat = Destruction of living spaces for animals Toxin exposure = Contaminated food and water sources Decreased reproduction = Interference with breeding habits Fur and feather damage = Loss of insulation and waterproofing</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sustainability = Practice of maintaining ecological balance Reduce = Minimizing waste generation Reuse = Using items multiple times Recycle = Transforming waste into usable materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>What surprised you about Earth's spheres? = Physical makeup of Earth's spheres Do communities include abiotic features? = Definition of a community How do human activities impact ecosystems? = Effects of human activities on ecosystems What is the Gaia Hypothesis? = Theory of Earth as a self-regulating system</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Booms = Floating barriers to contain oil Vacuum trucks = Equipment to suck up spilled oil Skimmers = Devices that remove oil from water surface Bioremediation = Use of microorganisms to break down oil</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Reduce waste = Less environmental impact Reuse materials = Extend the lifespan of resources Recycle = Convert waste into new products Educate others = Promote awareness about sustainability</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Oil = A non-renewable resource used for fuel and energy Plants = Renewable resources that provide oxygen and food Sunlight = An abundant renewable energy source Water = Essential for all living organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Clearcutting = Removes all trees in an area Shelterwood cutting = Leaves some trees to provide shelter Selective cutting = Chooses specific trees to harvest Thinning = Reduces density of trees for growth</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>River in a wilderness park = Provides water to organisms Wind energy = Generates mechanical energy or electricity Wild blueberries = Improve soil quality and store carbon Trees = Enhance air quality in environments</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Primary succession = Occurs on newly formed land Secondary succession = Occurs after a disturbance Climax community = A stable ecosystem Disturbance = An event disrupting ecosystem balance</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Equilibrium = Balance of living and nonliving things Biotic factors = Living components of an ecosystem Abiotic factors = Nonliving components of an ecosystem Succession = A process of ecosystem change over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Species richness = Number of species in a region High species richness = Characteristic of tropical rainforests Low species richness = Characteristic of polar regions Extinction rate = Speed at which species disappear</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Habitat destruction = Leads to species loss Pollution = Affects air and water quality Climate change = Alters ecosystems and species habitats Conservation efforts = Aim to protect endangered species</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Air and water = Essential for human survival Renewable services = More valuable for environmental health Non-renewable services = Limited life span and resources Dams = Prevent floods while managing water flow</p> Signup and view all the answers

Removal of all or most trees in an area, leaving little to no vegetation. This is a common forestry practice due to its cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

A series of selective cuts over time to allow for regeneration under existing tree cover. This method aims to mimic natural disturbances.

Harvesting only selected trees, focusing on mature or undesirable ones. This method is highly cost-intensive but minimizes ecological impact.

The complete set of conditions required for an organism to survive, thrive, and reproduce.

Linear pathways showing energy transfer through levels of feeding organisms, starting with producers and ending with top predators.

Interconnected networks of food chains, illustrating more complex relationships between different organisms within an ecosystem.

The total weight of all organisms in a particular trophic level.

The process by which water moves through the Earth's system, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

The process where plants use sunlight to make their own food.

All of the living organisms that share an area and interact with each other and the non-living things in their environment.

The study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.

A group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area and can reproduce.

The non-living parts of the environment.

The living parts of the environment.

The process of breaking down dead organic matter into simpler substances.

The transfer of energy through different levels of organisms in a food chain.

Freshwater ecosystems are bodies of water like lakes and rivers with low salt content, while marine ecosystems are saltwater environments like oceans and seas.

Most life is found in shallow waters because sunlight can penetrate these depths, allowing for photosynthesis by plants and algae, which form the base of the food chain.

A watershed is an area of land where all water drains to a common point, like a river or lake.

A coral reef is a diverse ecosystem built by coral polyps, providing habitat for a wide variety of marine life.

An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the sea.

The intertidal zone is the area along the shoreline that is periodically exposed and submerged by tides.

Invasive species are organisms introduced to a new environment by humans, potentially leading to negative ecological and economic consequences.

Acid precipitation (acid rain) is a form of pollution caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, leading to acidification of water bodies and soil.

The longest feeding chain in a food web, representing the maximum number of trophic levels in that ecosystem.

Organisms that consume both plants and animals, playing a crucial role in energy transfer across multiple trophic levels.

The part of Earth where life exists, encompassing all living organisms and their environments.

Natural resources are substances or materials that are found in nature and can be used by humans for various purposes. These resources can be renewable like sunlight, water, and plants, which can replenish themselves naturally, or non-renewable like oil, which is finite and cannot be replenished at a rate comparable to its consumption.

Forestry cutting methods are different ways to harvest timber from forests while aiming to manage their ecological impact. Clearcutting removes all trees in an area, while shelterwood cutting involves a series of selective cuts to create more natural regeneration. Lastly, selective cutting focuses on removing specific trees, minimizing disturbance to the ecosystem.

Ecosystem services refer to the various benefits that humans derive from functioning natural ecosystems. These services include clean air and water, regulation of climate, food production, and support for biodiversity. They are essential for human well-being and survival.

A state of equilibrium within an ecosystem is achieved when there's a balance between the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components. This stability is maintained through complex interrelationships and interactions within the environment.

Primary succession occurs when life colonizes a completely barren landscape, such as newly formed volcanic rock. Conversely, secondary succession takes place in an area previously occupied by a community that has been disturbed, like a forest fire. While primary succession starts from scratch, secondary succession builds upon existing soil and nutrients.

Species richness is a measure of the number of different species found in a particular region or ecosystem. It's one way to gauge biodiversity, which is crucial for the health and resilience of ecosystems.

Human activities pose significant threats to biodiversity through habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and invasive species. These activities disrupt ecosystems and can lead to species extinction.