Balance in Nature: Ecosystems and Interactions
Explore the intricate balance within natural ecosystems, including food webs, population dynamics, and the impact of human activities.
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Balance in Nature: Ecosystems and Interactions
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Use complete sentences for short answer questions.
1. Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?
A group of animals living in the same area.
All the living organisms in an area interacting with their non-living environment.
The study of environmental problems.
A collection of different habitats.
2. What is the role of a decomposer in an ecosystem?
To produce their own food.
To consume other organisms.
To break down dead organic matter.
To regulate population sizes.
1. Organisms that produce their own food are called .
2. A shows the feeding relationships between different organisms in an ecosystem.
3. If a population of predators increases, the population of its prey will likely .
1. Explain the difference between a food chain and a food web.
2. Describe one way human activity can disrupt the balance in an ecosystem.
1. All ecosystems contain producers, consumers, and decomposers.
True
False
2. Introduced species always benefit the native species in an ecosystem.
True
False
Examine the food web below and answer the questions that follow.
1. Identify two producers in this food web.
2. Name one organism that is both a primary and secondary consumer.
3. What would happen to the hawk population if the snake population significantly decreased? Explain your reasoning.