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Questions and Answers
What defines a natural ecosystem?
What defines a natural ecosystem?
Which of the following is NOT a type of terrestrial ecosystem?
Which of the following is NOT a type of terrestrial ecosystem?
What is a distinguishing factor of terrestrial ecosystems compared to aquatic ecosystems?
What is a distinguishing factor of terrestrial ecosystems compared to aquatic ecosystems?
Which of the following is classified as an aquatic ecosystem?
Which of the following is classified as an aquatic ecosystem?
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Which type of natural ecosystem includes lakes and rivers?
Which type of natural ecosystem includes lakes and rivers?
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What characterizes a man-made ecosystem?
What characterizes a man-made ecosystem?
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Which of the following options correctly categorizes all forms of aquatic ecosystems?
Which of the following options correctly categorizes all forms of aquatic ecosystems?
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What is a common characteristic of a self-sufficient natural ecosystem?
What is a common characteristic of a self-sufficient natural ecosystem?
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What is the primary difference between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems?
What is the primary difference between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems?
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Which of the following is not a major type of terrestrial ecosystem?
Which of the following is not a major type of terrestrial ecosystem?
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Why do terrestrial ecosystems experience greater temperature fluctuations than aquatic ecosystems?
Why do terrestrial ecosystems experience greater temperature fluctuations than aquatic ecosystems?
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What characteristic of forest ecosystems contributes to their greater stability?
What characteristic of forest ecosystems contributes to their greater stability?
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What factor contributes to the greater availability of light in terrestrial ecosystems compared to aquatic ecosystems?
What factor contributes to the greater availability of light in terrestrial ecosystems compared to aquatic ecosystems?
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Which statement about forest ecosystems is accurate?
Which statement about forest ecosystems is accurate?
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How do terrestrial ecosystems typically compare in terms of gas availability to aquatic ecosystems?
How do terrestrial ecosystems typically compare in terms of gas availability to aquatic ecosystems?
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Which feature is a common characteristic of all terrestrial ecosystems?
Which feature is a common characteristic of all terrestrial ecosystems?
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Which type of reproduction do most plants in the tundra predominantly use due to the lack of pollinating insects?
Which type of reproduction do most plants in the tundra predominantly use due to the lack of pollinating insects?
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What is a characteristic of man-made ecosystems in contrast to natural ecosystems?
What is a characteristic of man-made ecosystems in contrast to natural ecosystems?
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Which of the following is NOT an example of a man-made ecosystem?
Which of the following is NOT an example of a man-made ecosystem?
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What type of ecosystems are characterized by having negligible nutrient cycling and lack of diversity?
What type of ecosystems are characterized by having negligible nutrient cycling and lack of diversity?
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What is the main purpose of creating man-made ecosystems like zoos and aquariums?
What is the main purpose of creating man-made ecosystems like zoos and aquariums?
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Which of the following best describes the relationship between agriculture and man-made ecosystems?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between agriculture and man-made ecosystems?
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Which of the following statements about tundra plants is true?
Which of the following statements about tundra plants is true?
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Which feature is typical of man-made ecosystems that distinguish them from natural ones?
Which feature is typical of man-made ecosystems that distinguish them from natural ones?
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What percentage of the Earth's land surface do forest ecosystems currently occupy?
What percentage of the Earth's land surface do forest ecosystems currently occupy?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of tropical rainforests?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of tropical rainforests?
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What is the average humidity level in tropical rainforests during the wet season?
What is the average humidity level in tropical rainforests during the wet season?
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How much rainfall do Southeast Asia tropical rainforests receive annually?
How much rainfall do Southeast Asia tropical rainforests receive annually?
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What factor contributes to the high levels of biodiversity found in tropical rainforests?
What factor contributes to the high levels of biodiversity found in tropical rainforests?
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Which statement is true about the seasons in tropical rainforests?
Which statement is true about the seasons in tropical rainforests?
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Why do tropical rainforests typically have nutrient-poor soil?
Why do tropical rainforests typically have nutrient-poor soil?
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Where are tropical rainforests primarily located?
Where are tropical rainforests primarily located?
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What common characteristic is shared by all deserts?
What common characteristic is shared by all deserts?
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Which statement accurately describes tundra ecosystems?
Which statement accurately describes tundra ecosystems?
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What adaptation do plants in the tundra exhibit to survive harsh conditions?
What adaptation do plants in the tundra exhibit to survive harsh conditions?
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What type of landscapes can be found in a desert?
What type of landscapes can be found in a desert?
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Which nutrients are noted as major in tundra ecosystems?
Which nutrients are noted as major in tundra ecosystems?
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What percentage of the world's deserts is covered by sand dunes?
What percentage of the world's deserts is covered by sand dunes?
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Which statement about vegetation in tundra ecosystems is true?
Which statement about vegetation in tundra ecosystems is true?
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What factor significantly limits the growth and reproduction in tundra regions?
What factor significantly limits the growth and reproduction in tundra regions?
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What is the primary reason for the shedding of leaves in Tropical and Subtropical Deciduous Forests?
What is the primary reason for the shedding of leaves in Tropical and Subtropical Deciduous Forests?
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What is the key difference between Tropical and Subtropical Deciduous Forests and Temperate Deciduous Forests in terms of leaf shedding?
What is the key difference between Tropical and Subtropical Deciduous Forests and Temperate Deciduous Forests in terms of leaf shedding?
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Which of the following tree genera are prominent in Temperate Deciduous Forests in the Southern Hemisphere?
Which of the following tree genera are prominent in Temperate Deciduous Forests in the Southern Hemisphere?
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Which of these characteristics is NOT a defining feature of Temperate Deciduous Forests?
Which of these characteristics is NOT a defining feature of Temperate Deciduous Forests?
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What is the primary reason for the deciduous habit (leaf shedding) in Temperate Deciduous Forests?
What is the primary reason for the deciduous habit (leaf shedding) in Temperate Deciduous Forests?
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What is the typical range of annual rainfall received by Temperate Deciduous Forests?
What is the typical range of annual rainfall received by Temperate Deciduous Forests?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Tropical and Subtropical Deciduous Forests?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Tropical and Subtropical Deciduous Forests?
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What is a distinguishing feature of Temperate Deciduous Forests during the spring compared to other seasons?
What is a distinguishing feature of Temperate Deciduous Forests during the spring compared to other seasons?
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Study Notes
Types of Ecosystems
- Ecosystems are defined as interactions between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components in an environment.
- Biotic components are living things, and abiotic components are non-living things
- Ecosystems can be naturally occurring or artificially created.
- Natural ecosystems can be classified based on their habitat:
- Terrestrial ecosystems: Examples include forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra
- A forest ecosystem is a functional unit that comprises trees, soil, animals and human beings.
- Forests are complex ecosystems with high species diversity and stability.
- Forest ecosystems are more resistant to changes compared to other terrestrial ecosystems.
- Forest ecosystems have three main types. Tropical rainforests, temperate deciduous forests, and boreal/coniferous forests.
- Tropical rainforests are characterized by high rainfall, high temperatures, nutrient-poor soil, and high biodiversity.
- Tropical rainforests are found near the equator and get direct sunlight, leading to consistent high temperatures.
- Tropical rainforests comprise various layers, such as emergent trees, canopy layer, understory layer, and forest floor. This structure and composition ensures high biodiversity.
- Unlike temperate forests that have different layers, tropical forests are densely packed with plants.
- This density leads to extensive cycling of nutrients, but nutrients are not stored for long periods in soil.
- Tropical rainforests receive high rainfall, but nutrients in the soil are not stored for long periods due to quick wash-out.
- Temperate deciduous forests: These are characterized by trees that shed their leaves seasonally and are found in areas with distinct seasonality. Trees lose leaves in the fall and grow back in the spring.
- Grasslands: Open areas dominated by grasses and are found in areas with irregular rainfall. Grass within environments reproduce in multiple ways.. There are two major types: tropical savannah and temperates grassland.
- Deserts: Areas that receive very little precipitation. The amount of evaporation often exceeds the annual rainfall. Deserts can be hot (high temperature) or cold (low temperatures).
- Deserts contain plants, animals, and other organisms.
- Tundra: Treeless regions with a cold climate, typically found at high latitudes or high altitudes. Covered with snow much of the year and are noted for their cold temperatures, little precipitation, and short growing seasons. They contain nitrogen and phosphorus. Plants have low height and grow in clumps to protect themselves during the cold and harsh winds.
- Aquatic ecosystems: Examples include freshwater (ponds, lakes, rivers), marine (oceans, seas, estuaries).
- Freshwater - Lakes and rivers
- Lotic - Rivers, streams
- Lentic - Lakes
- Marine - Coastal, sea (pelagic and sea floor zones)
- Terrestrial ecosystems: Examples include forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra
Man-Made Ecosystems
- Man-made ecosystems are artificial ecosystems created to mimic the conditions of natural ecosystems.
- They are largely maintained and sustained by human intervention.
- The cycling of nutrients is negligible.
- Examples include orchards, home aquariums, zoos, botanical gardens, and parks. Agriculture is a major man-made ecosystem and includes crop cultivation and animal husbandry.
- Almost all of the nutrients are supplied from external sources. The cycling of nutrients occurs in a less complete, sustainable manner than in natural ecosystems.
- Compared to natural ecosystem, manmade ecosystems sustain less diverse species diversity.
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Description
Explore the different types of ecosystems, focusing on the interactions between biotic and abiotic components. Learn about terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and deserts, and discover their unique characteristics and classifications. This quiz covers the features and diversity of forest ecosystems specifically.
