Ecosystems - 3C Flashcards
(7 cards)
What’s an Ecosystem?
Living things: animals, plants, bugs, worms (even moles).
Non-living stuff: water, sunlight, air, dirt.
These things all need each other.
How Things Work in an Ecosystem
ENERGY:
Comes from the sun.
Plants use it (photosynthesis).
Animals eat plants. Other animals eat those animals.
When things die, decomposers like worms break them down and put nutrients back into the soil. Circle of life, babe.
MATTER:
This means all the stuff (like water and nutrients).
It moves around between animals, plants, dirt, and air.
What Happens When There’s a Bushfire?
Cons:
Animals run away or die.
Plants burn.
Food and water get destroyed.
Pros:
Fire makes the soil richer.
Some plants need fire to grow.
It clears space so new stuff can grow.
Less competition = easier life for survivors.
What About Floods and Droughts?
Drought (not enough water):
Plants dry out.
Animals struggle to find water and food.
Everything kinda suffers.
Flood (too much water):
Plants drown.
Soil gets washed away.
Homes get destroyed.
BUT!
Floods spread seeds and give nutrients.
Droughts make plants grow longer roots.
Some animals go to sleep and wait for better times (smart).
What About Worms?
In disasters:
Worms hide in the ground (smart).
They stop moving to save energy.
After a disaster, they help rebuild by breaking down dead plants and animals.
So Basically:
Nature gets wrecked sometimes (fire, flood, drought).
But over time, it bounces back.
Plants and animals are better at surviving than we think.
They change, adapt, and keep the party going.
