Ch 4 Matter in Ecosystems

Question 1

biodegradable material

Answer 1

matter that breaks down easily in the environment

Question 2

compost

Answer 2

decayed material from once-living things that is used to enrich soil

Question 3

decay

Answer 3

remains that break down into simpler materials

Question 4

decomposer

Answer 4

a living thing that breaks down the remains of dead organisms

Question 5

ecostourism

Answer 5

involves travel to natural habitats that avoids harming and helps preserve these areas and the organisms that live there

Question 6

hazardous waste

Answer 6

was that can pollute the environment even when it occurs in very small amounts.

Question 7

litter

Answer 7

trash that is not disposed of in a way that prevents harm to ecosystems; also means multiple offspring

Question 8

nutrient recycling

Answer 8

process of breaking down materials into a different form that can be used again

Question 9

pollutant

Answer 9

material that causes pollution

Question 10

pollution

Answer 10

addition of harmful materials to the environment

Question 11

scavenger

Answer 11

an animal that feeds on the remains or wastes of dead animals

Question 12

Why are scavengers an important part of food webs?

Answer 12

1. Scavengers take in nutrients that would otherwise be wasted. If a scavenger becomes the prey of another animal, the nutrients are passed along in the food chain.

Question 13

What is one way that decomposers are helpful?

Answer 13

One way is helping the wood log decay.

Question 14

How can compost improve soil?

Answer 14

Compost can improve soil because they release nutrients that other organisms need to survive.

Question 15

What percent of all garbage can be composted?

Answer 15

60% to include yard waste, food, and paper.

Question 16

Decomposers include:
A. fungi
B. insects
C. bacteria
D. all of the above

Answer 16

D

Question 17

What helpful and harmful effects can river dams have?

Answer 17

1. Helpful
   a. built to control flooding
   b. bring water to dry areas to grow crops
   c. provide water for people in cities
2. Harmful
   a. soil will no longer be enriched
   b. changes in flow of water causes decrease in fish population
   c. pesticides can seep into the soil and cause pollution

Question 18

What is the difference between litter and hazardous waste?

Answer 18

Both can cause harm but hazardous waste can be a danger to the health of people and other organisms.

Question 19

What are two ways that humans change land ecosystems?

Answer 19

1. Humans clear land for other resources using technology. Example like building a dam.
2. People sometimes add harmful materials such as weed killers.

Question 20

Why does an ecosystem need decomposers?

Answer 20

They help decay or break down, the remains of dead organisms.

Question 21

How does the effect of warmer temperature have on the decaying process?

Answer 21

Decay occurs faster in warmer, moist conditions.

Question 22

What does a log provide?

Answer 22

It provides food and shelter for decomposers, scavengers, producers, herbivores, and carnivores living on it.

Question 23

Scavengers eats the remains of prey that was killed by another animal. Name some examples of scavengers.

Answer 23

raccoon, vultures, hyenas and some crabs

Question 24

What materials cannot be used for composting?

Answer 24

plastic, glass, metal and many chemicals

Question 25

What are examples of biodegradable material?

Answer 25

paper, cardboard and untreated wood

Question 26

What are the problems with landfills?

Answer 26

1. they take up a lot of space 2. landfill pits are lined with plastic and packed so tightly that little air or water is present so many microorganisms that decompose cannot survive.

Question 27

What is one way to solve problems with landfill?

Answer 27

Recycling, reusing, and composting biodegradable materials.

Question 28

Why must we preserve rainforests?

Answer 28

Rainforests provide: 1. keep gases on Earth balanced 2. rainforest plants provide medicines 3. source of fruits, nuts and vegetable oils

Question 29

What is one way rainforests can be preserved?

Answer 29

Ecotourism can provide a good source of income for people who live near the rainforest and encourage more people to help preserve the rainforest.

Question 30

What is green agriculture?

Answer 30

It involves the practice that helps conserve water, improve soil and does not harm surrounding ecosystem. An example is: 1. organic farming 2. crop rotation 3. grow cover crops

Question 31

What is organic farming?

Answer 31

Uses only materials that occur naturally in an ecosystem. Farmers do not use chemicals pesticides, weed killers, or fertilizers.

Question 32

What would an organic farmer use instead of chemicals and fertilizer? Give examples:

Answer 32

ladybeetles to control pests and manure for fertilizer

Question 33

How can farmers prevent nutrients in soil from being used up?

Answer 33

Crop rotation. It nvolves growing a different kind of crop on the same field each year so that the same crop does not use up certain nutrients in the soil, therefore farmers need to use less fertilizer.

Question 34

What is cover crops?

Answer 34

Crops that are usually grown for one year and then plowed into the soil.

Question 35

What is zero waste?

Answer 35

Zero waste is to recycle or reuse as much natural and manufactured material as possible so that very little or no waste is produced.

Question 36

Give and an example of zero waste:

Answer 36

1. Using cloth bags to carry groceries greatly reduce the number of paper bags, fewer trees will need to be cut down, and forest ecosystems can be conserved. 2. Recycling glass bottles, aluminum cans, magazines, newspapers and some plastics. They conserve resources such as minerals, metals and oil products that are short in supply. 3. Using products that are made from recycled plastic and paper.

Question 37

What are 2 problems that recycling can help.

Answer 37

Same answer as zero waste.