Ecosystems and Ecological Interactions Quiz

Fungi break down organic matter into nutrients, playing a crucial role in recycling.

Sunlight is the key energy source driving photosynthesis and sustaining life in ecosystems.

Sunlight, being non-living, is an abiotic factor influencing ecosystems.

Biodiversity refers to the diverse range of species and ecosystems.

Oxygen is not a greenhouse gas; common greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide and methane.

Photosynthesis is the vital process where plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

Decomposers are not trophic levels but play a critical role in breaking down dead organisms.

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both partners gain advantages.

Hydrological cycle involves the continuous movement of water, maintaining balance in ecosystems.

Decomposition recycles nutrients from dead organisms, enriching the soil.

A climax community is a stable and mature ecological community.

Mosses are among the first organisms to colonize barren environments in primary succession.

Carrying capacity is the limit to which an environment can support a population.

An organism's niche encompasses its role, interactions, and position in its ecosystem.

Sea otters play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystem.

Adaptation is the evolutionary process enhancing a population's fitness in its environment.

Primary succession starts in barren areas; plants colonizing a volcanic island is an example.

Natural selection is the mechanism driving evolutionary adaptation, favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction.

Secondary succession occurs in areas with existing soil; reforestation after logging is an example.