Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of producers in an ecosystem?
Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
What is the primary function of decomposers in an ecosystem?
Which ecosystem service provides recreational and spiritual values?
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What type of relationship exists between a predator and its prey?
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What is an example of a terrestrial ecosystem?
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What type of relationship exists between two species that benefit each other?
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What is the primary source of energy for an ecosystem?
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Study Notes
Definition
- An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living components that interact with each other in a specific environment.
- It consists of biotic factors (living organisms) and abiotic factors (non-living components).
Components of an Ecosystem
-
Biotic factors:
- Producers (plants, algae, phytoplankton): convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
- Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores): obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
- Decomposers (bacteria, fungi): break down organic matter into simple nutrients.
-
Abiotic factors:
- Light
- Temperature
- Water
- Soil
- Air
- Nutrients
Energy Flow in an Ecosystem
- Energy from sunlight is converted into chemical energy through photosynthesis by producers.
- Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next through consumption.
- Decomposers release energy back into the environment as nutrients.
Ecosystem Services
- Provisioning services: provide resources such as food, water, and timber.
- Regulating services: regulate climate, air and water quality, and disease outbreaks.
- Cultural services: provide recreational, spiritual, and aesthetic values.
- Supporting services: maintain soil health, pollination, and nutrient cycling.
Ecosystem Types
- Terrestrial ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra.
- Freshwater ecosystems: rivers, lakes, wetlands.
- Marine ecosystems: coral reefs, estuaries, open ocean.
- Arctic/Antarctic ecosystems: tundra, ice sheets.
Ecosystem Interactions
-
Symbiotic relationships:
- Mutualism: both species benefit.
- Commensalism: one species benefits, the other is not affected.
- Parasitism: one species benefits, the other is harmed.
- Predator-prey relationships: predators feed on prey, influencing population dynamics.
- Competition: organisms compete for limited resources, leading to adaptations and evolution.
Definition of an Ecosystem
- An ecosystem is a community of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components interacting in a specific environment.
Components of an Ecosystem
-
Biotic factors:
- Producers (plants, algae, phytoplankton) convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
- Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores) obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
- Decomposers (bacteria, fungi) break down organic matter into simple nutrients.
-
Abiotic factors:
- Light
- Temperature
- Water
- Soil
- Air
- Nutrients
Energy Flow
- Energy from sunlight is converted into chemical energy through photosynthesis by producers.
- Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next through consumption.
- Decomposers release energy back into the environment as nutrients.
Ecosystem Services
- Provisioning services: provide resources like food, water, and timber.
- Regulating services: regulate climate, air and water quality, and disease outbreaks.
- Cultural services: provide recreational, spiritual, and aesthetic values.
- Supporting services: maintain soil health, pollination, and nutrient cycling.
Ecosystem Types
- Terrestrial ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra.
- Freshwater ecosystems: rivers, lakes, wetlands.
- Marine ecosystems: coral reefs, estuaries, open ocean.
- Arctic/Antarctic ecosystems: tundra, ice sheets.
Ecosystem Interactions
-
Symbiotic relationships:
- Mutualism: both species benefit.
- Commensalism: one species benefits, the other is not affected.
- Parasitism: one species benefits, the other is harmed.
- Predator-prey relationships: predators feed on prey, influencing population dynamics.
- Competition: organisms compete for limited resources, leading to adaptations and evolution.
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Description
This quiz covers the definition and components of an ecosystem, including biotic and abiotic factors, producers, consumers, and decomposers. Test your knowledge of the interactions between living and non-living components in a specific environment.
