ecology

• What can feeding relationships within a community be represented by?

  Food chains
• What role do photosynthetic organisms play in ecosystems?


  They are the producers of all biomass
• What methods do ecologists use to determine species distribution?

  Transects and quadrats
• What is the first step in all food chains?

  A producer, like a green plant
• What are predators in an ecosystem?

  Consumers that kill and eat other animals
• What are apex predators?

  Carnivores with no predators
• How do organisms typically interact in ecosystems?

  They have complex feeding relationships
• What do food webs illustrate?

  Complex feeding relationships among organisms
• Why are materials in the living world recycled?

  To provide building materials for future organisms
• What is the carbon cycle?

  A cycle involving organic and carbon compounds
• What human activities contribute to global warming?

  Increasing levels of carbon dioxide and methane
• What is global warming?

  The gradual increase in Earth's average temperature
• What is the basis for the scientific consensus on global warming?

  Systematic reviews of thousands of publications
• What are some consequences of global warming?

  Habitat change, extreme weather, and species migration
• What is biodiversity?

  The variety of living organisms on Earth
• Why is high biodiversity important for humans?

  It ensures reliance on a wide range of species
• What human activities reduce biodiversity?

  Farming and deforestation
• What is the impact of rapid population growth on waste management?

  It increases waste production and pollution
• What types of pollution can occur in ecosystems?

  Water, air, and land pollution
• What is the process of condensation in the water cycle?

  Water vapor cools and forms liquid droplets
• What happens during precipitation in the water cycle?

  Water droplets fall as rain, snow, or hail
• How does evaporation occur in the water cycle?

  The Sun heats water, turning it into vapor
• What is transpiration in the water cycle?

  Loss of water vapor from plants to the atmosphere
• What is the role of percolation in the water cycle?

  Water trickles through soil and rocks
• How does high biodiversity contribute to ecosystem stability?

  It reduces dependence on one species for resources
• What measures are being taken to maintain biodiversity?

  Breeding programs and habitat protection
• What is a consequence of large-scale deforestation?

  Release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
• How does the destruction of peat bogs affect the environment?

  It decreases habitat area and releases CO2
• What are some key terms related to ecosystems?

  Biodiversity, biomass, carbon cycle, deforestation
• What are the key components of the carbon cycle?

  • Organic compounds through feeding
  • Decomposition of dead organisms
  • Respiration releasing CO2
  • Photosynthesis removing CO2
  • Combustion releasing CO2
• What are the impacts of human activities on biodiversity?

  • Deforestation reduces habitats
  • Climate change alters ecosystems
  • Pollution harms species
  • Urbanization destroys natural areas
• What are the steps in the water cycle?

  1. Evaporation
  2. Condensation
  3. Precipitation
  4. Transpiration
  5. Percolation
  6. Surface run-off
• What are the consequences of global warming?

  • Habitat change and reduction
  • Extreme weather events
  • Species migration
  • Threats to food security