1.1 Introduction to Ecosystems

• What is an ecosystem defined as?

  Living organisms and their environment
• An ecosystem consists of only biotic factors.

  False
• Biotic factors in an ecosystem refer to living organisms
• What are abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

  Non-living physical and chemical elements
• Biotic factors interact to form food webs and relationships.
• Abiotic factors include non-living physical and chemical components
• Match the ecosystem structure with its characteristic:

  Horizontal Structure ↔️ Spatial distribution of organisms

  Vertical Structure ↔️ Layering of biotic and abiotic elements
• What influences the horizontal structure of an ecosystem?

  Soil type, water availability, sunlight
• Arrange the components of a food chain in the correct order:

  1️⃣ Producers (plants)

  2️⃣ Consumers (herbivores, carnivores)

  3️⃣ Decomposers (bacteria, fungi)
• Producers convert sunlight into chemical energy
• What is the approximate energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels?

  10%
• What determines how organisms interact and utilize resources in an ecosystem?

  Ecosystem structure
• Horizontal structure is influenced by factors such as soil type, water availability, and sunlight
• Vertical structure in forests includes the canopy, understory, shrub layer, and forest floor.
• Match the aspect with its description:

  Definition of Horizontal Structure ↔️ Spatial distribution of organisms

  Definition of Vertical Structure ↔️ Layering of biotic and abiotic elements
• What does ecosystem structure refer to?

  Organization of biotic and abiotic elements
• The 10% rule states that only 10% of the energy from one trophic level is available to the next
• Order the following examples based on energy transfer in a food chain:

  1️⃣ Producers (Plants) - 100% energy

  2️⃣ Primary Consumers (Deer) - 10% energy

  3️⃣ Secondary Consumers (Lion) - 1% energy
• What are the three key processes involved in nutrient cycling?

  Absorption, Consumption, Decomposition
• During absorption, plants take up nutrients from the soil.
• Decomposition involves the breakdown of dead organisms and organic matter by decomposers
• Match the ecosystem type with its characteristics:

  Terrestrial Ecosystem ↔️ Land-based, influenced by soil and climate

  Aquatic Ecosystem ↔️ Water-based, includes marine and freshwater
• What is an ecosystem defined as?

  A community of organisms interacting
• Biotic factors in an ecosystem include plants, animals, and microorganisms
• Abiotic factors are living components of an ecosystem.

  False
• During nutrient absorption, plants take up nutrients from the soil
• Match the ecosystem type with an example:

  Terrestrial Ecosystem ↔️ Forest

  Aquatic Ecosystem ↔️ Ocean
• What are ecosystem services categorized into?

  Provisioning, Regulating, Supporting, Cultural
• Provisioning services include the extraction of food, timber, and water from ecosystems.
• Climate regulation is an example of a regulating service.