Question 1

What is an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

An ecosystem is a place where plants, animals, and other living things live together with non-living things like water, rocks, and soil. Everything in an ecosystem interacts and relies on each other to survive.

Question 2

Why do plants and animals need each other?

Accepted Answer

Plants and animals help each other in many ways. Animals can spread seeds to help plants grow, and plants produce oxygen which animals need to breathe.

Question 3

What does interdependence mean?

Accepted Answer

Interdependence means that living things need each other to survive. For example, bees depend on flowers for food, and flowers depend on bees to spread their pollen.

Question 4

What is biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity is the variety of all living things in an area. It includes all the different plants, animals, bacteria, and even fungi.

Question 5

Why is biodiversity important?

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity helps ecosystems stay healthy and strong. With a variety of living things, ecosystems can better survive problems like diseases or climate changes.

Question 6

How do animals get their food in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Animals get food in different ways. Some eat plants, some eat other animals, and some do both.

Question 7

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Decomposers, like worms and fungi, break down dead plants and animals. This process recycles nutrients, which plants need to grow.

Question 8

What happens if an ecosystem loses a type of plant or animal?

Accepted Answer

If an ecosystem loses a plant or animal, it can unbalance the whole system. Other living things that relied on it might have trouble surviving.

Question 9

What can harm an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Things like pollution, deforestation, and climate change can harm ecosystems. These things can destroy habitats and reduce biodiversity.

Question 10

What is a food chain?

Accepted Answer

A food chain shows how each living thing gets its food. It starts with plants, which are eaten by small animals, and then bigger animals eat those small animals.

Question 11

What is a habitat?

Accepted Answer

A habitat is the natural home where a plant or animal lives. It provides them with food, water, and shelter.

Question 12

How do ecosystems change over time?

Accepted Answer

Ecosystems change naturally, such as through seasons or after a natural disaster. Humans can also change ecosystems by building cities or cutting down forests.

Question 13

Why are trees important in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Trees provide oxygen, food, and shelter. They also help keep the air clean and are homes to many animals.

Question 14

Can an ecosystem be small or large?

Accepted Answer

Yes, ecosystems can be as small as a pond or as large as an ocean. No matter the size, all ecosystems have living and non-living parts.

Question 15

How do seasons affect ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Seasons can change the weather in an ecosystem, affecting food availability and animal behavior. Some animals migrate or hibernate in response to these changes.

Question 16

What are invasive species?

Accepted Answer

Invasive species are plants or animals that are not originally from an ecosystem and can cause harm. They can take away resources from native species.

Question 17

How do humans help ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Humans can help ecosystems by protecting natural habitats, recycling, and planting trees. These actions support biodiversity and keep ecosystems healthy.

Question 18

What is a predator and prey?

Accepted Answer

A predator is an animal that hunts and eats other animals, which are called prey. This relationship helps keep animal populations balanced.

Question 19

What is an example of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

A forest is an example of an ecosystem. It has many trees, animals, shrubs, insects, and streams, all interacting with each other.

Question 20

How do you know if an ecosystem is healthy?

Accepted Answer

A healthy ecosystem has lots of different plants and animals. It is balanced, with clean air, water, and soil, allowing all living things to thrive.

The Science of Ecosystems: Interdependence and Biodiversity - 20 FAQs Explained Simply