ecosystems and human activity

Question 1

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 1

An ecosystem consists of all the living things (biotic components) together with all the non-living things (abiotic components) in an area.

Question 2

What are biotic factors?

Answer 2

Biotic factors are the living components of the environment that may affect other living things.

Question 3

What are abiotic factors?

Answer 3

Abiotic factors are the non-living components of the environment that may affect living things.

Question 4

What is a population?

Answer 4

A population consists of all the organisms of one species living in a defined area.

Question 5

What is a community?

Answer 5

A community is a group of populations of different species that live together and interact in an ecosystem.

Question 6

What is a habitat?

Answer 6

A habitat is the place where an organism lives, finds food, and reproduces.

Question 7

What is a niche?

Answer 7

A niche refers to the role of a species in its ecosystem, including how it interacts with other species and the environment.

Question 8

How does temperature affect ecosystems?

Answer 8

Organisms survive within certain temperature ranges. Extreme temperatures can affect distribution, metabolism, and reproduction.

Question 9

What is humidity?

Answer 9

Humidity measures how much water vapor the air holds, affecting moisture levels in the ecosystem.

Question 10

Why is water essential in ecosystems?

Answer 10

Water is needed for photosynthesis, chemical reactions, and cellular functions. Some organisms adapt to water scarcity.

Question 11

How does oxygen availability affect ecosystems?

Answer 11

Oxygen is necessary for respiration, and its availability varies in air and water environments.

Question 12

What is salinity, and how does it affect ecosystems?

Answer 12

Salinity measures how salty water is, influencing species distribution in freshwater, brackish, and marine ecosystems.

Question 13

Why is light important in ecosystems?

Answer 13

Light is needed for photosynthesis, determining productivity and species distribution.

Question 14

What does pH measure?

Answer 14

pH measures how acidic or alkaline water or soil is, affecting plant and aquatic life.

Question 15

What is a food chain?

Answer 15

A food chain shows how energy flows between producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and decomposers.

Question 16

What is a food web?

Answer 16

A food web is a more complex diagram showing multiple interconnected feeding relationships in an ecosystem.

Question 17

What are producers?

Answer 17

Producers, like plants, make their own food using photosynthesis.

Question 18

What are primary consumers?

Answer 18

Primary consumers are herbivores that eat producers.

Question 19

What are secondary consumers?

Answer 19

Secondary consumers are carnivores that eat primary consumers.

Question 20

What are tertiary consumers?

Answer 20

Tertiary consumers eat secondary consumers and may be top predators.

Question 21

What are decomposers?

Answer 21

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients.

Question 22

What is a pyramid of numbers?

Answer 22

A pyramid of numbers shows the relative number of organisms at each trophic level.

Question 23

What is a pyramid of energy?

Answer 23

A pyramid of energy illustrates the transfer and loss of energy through trophic levels.

Question 24

What is photosynthesis?

Answer 24

Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight.

Question 25

Why is respiration important?

Answer 25

Respiration releases energy from food for life processes.

Question 26

What is the simplified equation for photosynthesis?

Answer 26

CO₂ + H₂O → glucose + O₂ (in the presence of sunlight & chlorophyll)

Question 27

What is the equation for respiration?

Answer 27

glucose + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O + energy

Question 28

What is competition?

Answer 28

Organisms compete for resources, affecting survival and reproduction.

Question 29

What is predation?

Answer 29

Predation occurs when one organism hunts and eats another.

Question 30

What is pollination?

Answer 30

Pollination is the transfer of pollen for reproduction, often by insects or wind.

Question 31

What is biodiversity?

Answer 31

Biodiversity refers to the variety of species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity in an area.

Question 32

Why is biodiversity important?

Answer 32

Biodiversity supports ecosystem stability, medicine, and agriculture.

Question 33

What causes habitat loss?

Answer 33

Deforestation, agriculture, urbanization, and climate change contribute to habitat destruction.

Question 34

What is genetic depletion?

Answer 34

Loss of genetic diversity due to habitat destruction or species extinction.

Question 35

How does deforestation affect ecosystems?

Answer 35

Deforestation leads to biodiversity loss, climate change, and soil erosion.

Question 36

How does deforestation contribute to climate change?

Answer 36

Fewer trees absorb CO₂, increasing greenhouse gas levels and global warming.

Question 37

What is ecotourism?

Answer 37

Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that promotes environmental conservation while benefiting local communities.

Question 38

What is a carbon sink?

Answer 38

A carbon sink is a young forest that absorbs more carbon dioxide through photosynthesis than it releases in respiration.

Question 39

How does a mature forest act as a carbon store?

Answer 39

A mature forest has balanced carbon intake and output, storing carbon rather than actively removing it from the atmosphere.

Question 40

What are three ways forests prevent soil erosion?

Answer 40

1️⃣ Trees intercept rain, reducing its impact on soil. 2️⃣ Debris like leaves slows runoff, preventing erosion. 3️⃣ Roots hold the soil together, stabilizing the ground.

Question 41

How does deforestation affect the water cycle?

Answer 41

Trees release moisture via transpiration, aiding cloud formation. Removing trees disrupts rainfall patterns and can lead to droughts.

Question 42

What is sustainable harvesting?

Answer 42

Sustainable harvesting ensures plant and animal populations are managed responsibly, preventing overuse and preserving ecosystems.

Question 43

What is agroforestry?

Answer 43

Agroforestry is farming that integrates trees and crops, enhancing soil fertility, reducing erosion, and providing resources like food and firewood.

Question 44

What are wildlife corridors, and why are they important?

Answer 44

Wildlife corridors connect fragmented habitats, allowing species to migrate, maintain diversity, and avoid isolation.

Question 45

What is the purpose of extractive reserves in the Amazon?

Answer 45

Extractive reserves allow local communities to sustainably use forest products without harming the ecosystem.

Question 46

Why are seed banks important for conservation?

Answer 46

Seed banks store plant species for future use, safeguarding biodiversity, ensuring food security, and preventing extinction.

Question 47

Why is captive breeding used in conservation?

Answer 47

Captive breeding increases species numbers, maintains genetic diversity, and prepares animals for future reintroduction into the wild.

Question 48

What caused deforestation in Madagascar?

Answer 48

Slash-and-burn farming (tavy), logging, and charcoal production have led to soil erosion, desertification, and loss of biodiversity.

Question 49

How did conservation efforts save scarlet macaws in Costa Rica?

Answer 49

Protecting nests, stopping poachers, and educating local communities helped boost macaw populations while supporting ecotourism.