Ecosystems - Paper 1

Question 1

Give 3 abiotic components of ecosystems:

Answer 1

-Rocks help in the formation of soils

-Weathering releases nutrients stored in rocks into the ecosystem

-Sunshine and rain are needed for photosynthesis

-Climate elements such as wind or frost are also important.

Question 2

Give 3 biotic factors of ecosystems:

Answer 2

-Animals, such as insects, birds or mammals

-Plants, such as trees, wild flowers, grasses or mosses.

-Soils are home to insects and decomposers

-Micro-organisms such as fungi or bacteria are decomposers.

Question 3

What do plants provide in an ecosystem?

Answer 3

Food and shelter for many animals.

Question 4

What do decomposers do?

Answer 4

They help break down dead plants and animals, releasing nutrients into the ecosystem so they can be recycled.

Question 5

What do interrelationships link together?

Answer 5

Biotic and abiotic parts of the ecosystem.

Question 6

What are the 2 interrelationships in an ecosystem?

Answer 6

-Physical linkages between different parts of the ecosystem (eg animals eating plants)

-Chemical linkages (eg mild acids in rainwater speed up the decay of dead leaves.

Question 7

What is a small-scale ecosystem also called?

Answer 7

A habitat.

Question 8

What are the main 3 factors involved in recycling nutrients?

Answer 8

-Biomass

-Litter

-Soil.