Lion King Ecology Practice Quiz

An ecosystem consists of both living and non-living components that interact with each other. This answer highlights the essential interaction that defines an ecosystem.

Producers are organisms, typically plants, that use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy. They are crucial because they form the base of all food chains by providing energy to other organisms.

Solar energy is renewable because it is constantly provided by the sun and is not depleted by use. In contrast, fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas take millions of years to form and are finite.

Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of living organisms in a given area. It is important for maintaining ecosystem resilience and overall environmental health.

A habitat is the natural environment where an organism finds food, shelter, and mates. It provides all the necessary conditions required for its survival and reproduction.

Decomposers break down dead organic material, returning essential nutrients to the environment. This recycling process is vital for sustaining soil fertility and the overall nutrient cycle.

Photosynthesis is the process in which plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. This conversion is fundamental to the energy flow in all ecosystems.

Habitat destruction leads to loss of species because it eliminates the living spaces many organisms rely on. This disturbance can severely disrupt the balance and diversity of ecosystems.

Ecological succession is the process by which the structure of a biological community evolves over time following a disturbance. This recovery involves a sequential replacement of species that gradually rebuilds the ecosystem.

A food web illustrates the complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem. It provides a more realistic view than a single food chain by showing how various species are interconnected.

Abiotic factors are the non-living components of an ecosystem, such as temperature, water, and light. These factors have a significant impact on the living organisms within the environment.

Invasive species can outcompete native organisms for resources, leading to a decline or displacement of indigenous populations. This competition can significantly disrupt the ecological balance of the affected habitat.

Energy in an ecosystem flows from the sun, which is harnessed by producers through photosynthesis. This energy is then transferred through various trophic levels including consumers and decomposers.

Trees act as natural carbon sinks by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. When deforestation occurs, this absorption capacity is lost, contributing to the buildup of greenhouse gases and climate change.

Conservation and reforestation help maintain ecosystem functions while ensuring that resources remain available for the future. These practices support a balanced use of natural resources and promote environmental sustainability.

Carrying capacity is a measure of the maximum number of individuals an environment can support over time. It influences population dynamics by imposing limits based on resource availability.

Genetic diversity increases the range of traits available within a population, which can be crucial for adaptation to new environmental challenges. This diversity allows species to evolve and survive in the face of changing conditions.

An ecological footprint quantifies how much land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes. This measure helps to assess whether human activities are sustainable in the long run.

Restoration ecology involves the active recovery of degraded ecosystems through the reintroduction of native species and the reestablishment of natural processes. This approach mitigates human impacts and helps ecosystems regain functionality over time.

Feedback loops in ecosystems can be either positive or negative, and they help modulate changes in population sizes and resource availability. This regulation is essential for maintaining homeostasis and ecological balance.