Ecosystems and Habitats

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What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and their environment.

What is a habitat?

A habitat is the natural home or environment of an organism.

Name the process by which plants make their own food.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make food using sunlight.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of different types of life in a particular area.

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Decomposers break down dead material and return nutrients to the soil.

What is the difference between a producer and a consumer?

Producers make their own food, while consumers eat other organisms for energy.

What is a food chain?

A food chain is a sequence showing how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another.

What is a food web?

A food web is a complex network of overlapping and interconnected food chains.

What are abiotic factors?

Abiotic factors are non-living elements like water, sunlight, and minerals.

Name an example of a biotic factor in an ecosystem.

Examples of biotic factors include plants, animals, and bacteria.

What is ecological succession?

Ecological succession is the process of gradual change in an ecosystem over time.

How do invasive species affect ecosystems?

Invasive species can disrupt ecosystems by outcompeting native species for resources.

What is the significance of the carbon cycle in ecosystems?

The carbon cycle is crucial for recycling carbon through different parts of the ecosystem.

Why are wetlands important ecosystems?

Wetlands help filter water, provide habitat, and protect against flooding.

What is meant by 'keystone species'?

A keystone species is one whose impact on its ecosystem is disproportionately large relative to its abundance.