Ecology

Question 1

Components of an Ecosystem?

Answer 1

Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Question 2

Biotic Factors - examples and definition

Answer 2

A biotic factor is a living organism that shapes its environment; animals, birds, plants, fungi, and other similar organisms.

Question 3

Abiotic Factors - examples and definition

Answer 3

An abiotic factor is a non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment; temperature, light, and water.

Question 4

How does energy flow through ecosystems

Answer 4

Energy is transferred between organisms in food webs from producers to consumers.

Question 5

How is matter recycled in ecosystems

Answer 5

Decomposers release nutrients when they break down dead organisms. nutrients are taken up by plants through their roots. nutrients pass to primary consumers when they eat the plants.

Question 6

Mutualism

Answer 6

Both species benefit from interaction

Question 7

Commensalism

Answer 7

One species benefits, one unaffected

Question 8

Competition

Answer 8

Each species affected negatively

Question 9

Predation, parasitism, herbivory

Answer 9

One species benefits, one is disadvantaged

Question 10

What are keystone species in food webs?

Answer 10

A keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.

Question 11

Analyse how changes in abiotic and biotic factors can affect population sizes within an ecosystem?

Answer 11

Biotic factors such as predation and lack of vegetation control, If food sources (plants and flesh) are very scarce, organisms are going to starve and die. This will decrease the population of species in an ecosystem.

Question 12

What factors affect population sizes such as seasonal changes?

Answer 12

Factors such as latitude, altitude and proximity to the coastline affect the extent of the seasonal fluctuations.

Question 13

What factors that affect population sizes such as destruction of habitats?

Answer 13

Geological processes, climate change, introduction of invasive species, ecosystem nutrient depletion, water and noise pollution are some examples.

Question 14

What factors that affect population sizes such as introduced species?

Answer 14

The abundance of environmental resources such as food, water, and space determines how population abundance changes over time.

Question 15

How do ecosystems change because of events such as bushfires?

Answer 15

Fires can also free these plants from the competition with invasive weeds and eliminate disease or droves of insects that may have been causing damage to the old growth.

Question 16

How do ecosystems change because of events such as drought?

Answer 16

Drought conditions can negatively alter aquatic ecosystems, with immediate effects on fish and invertebrate species, such as fish kills in reservoirs.

Question 17

How do ecosystems change because of events such as flooding?

Answer 17

These can degrade aquatic habitats, lower water quality, reduce coastal production, and contaminate coastal food resources.

Question 18

How are ecosystems in Australia affected by human activities?

Answer 18

Global population growth contributes to the; destruction, modification and fragmentation of wildlife habitat, reduced genetic diversity, the spread of exotic and invasive species, air, noise and light pollution, fire regimes, and a rapidly changing climate

Question 19

What is the impact of human behaviour upon ecosystems?

Answer 19

Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Changes like these have triggered climate change, soil erosion, poor air quality, and undrinkable water.