Ecosystems Overview
Ecosystems, complex networks of organisms and their physical environments, are fundamental to the functioning of our planet. They encompass a diverse array of habitats, ranging from lush rainforests to barren deserts, each supporting unique life forms and ecological processes. Understanding ecosystems is crucial for grasping the intricate relationships between living organisms and their surroundings, including the flow of energy, nutrient cycling, and the regulation of climate. By examining the intricate web of interactions within ecosystems, scientists can unravel the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth, informing conservation efforts and sustainable management practices.
Questions
- What is a keystone species? Why is the elimination of keystone species of such concern?
- If two species overlap in their habitat use, how can both persist?
- What is a producers role in an ecosystem?
- How would you describe the movement of energy in an ecosystem?
- A species that is so important that if it goes extinct, the entire ecosystem collapses is called what?
- What is the biosphere?
- What symbiotic relationships are seen in ecosystems?
- What is the primary productivity of an ecosystem?
- How does adaptation affect the diversity of an ecosystem?
- How does an ecosystem differ from a community?
- How would a lack of water affect biotic factors in an ecosystem?
- Why are coral reefs home to a huge diverse variety of species?
- If frog feeds on insect larvae, what is the role of the frog in an ecosystem?
- Which land ecosystem depends on a good root system?
- What is the most complex ecosystem in the world?
- What is the source of almost all of the energy in ecosystems?
- How are the flow of nutrients and energy through an ecosystem different?
- What system facilitates the movement of water between spheres through process of transpiration?
- What is it called in a relationship when one organism is helped and another organism is neither helped nor hurt?
- Why can the removal of one important species affect an entire ecosystem?