Imagine an ecosystem such as this pond. It is a freshwater pond with perch, bass, ducks, crayfish, frogs, and sometimes a visiting water snake or two. It has algae and water plants. Use this information to answer the following two questions.
In the ecosystem described in the image above, all of the following are biotic factors that would affect it except
A. temperature
B. hawks
C. beavers
D. fir trees
In the ecosystem described in the image above, all of the following are abiotic factors that would affect it except
A. temperature
B. rainfall
C. type of soil
D. water snakes
Answer:
In the ecosystem described in the image above, all of the following are biotic factors that would affect it except: D. fir trees. (Fir trees are not present in this ecosystem.)
In the ecosystem described in the image above, all of the following are abiotic factors that would affect it except: D. water snakes. (Water snakes are biotic factors since they are living organisms, and abiotic factors are non-living components of the ecosystem.)
A. temperature: The only factor on the list that is abiotic and would not directly affect the ecosystem is D. fir trees. They might indirectly affect it by providing shade, but in terms of direct impact, they would not be considered a biotic factor.
D. water snakes: While they may be part of the ecosystem, snakes do not influence the abiotic factors in the pond. The abiotic factors are non-living elements like temperature, rainfall, and type of soil, so D. water snakes would not be an abiotic factor.
In the ecosystem described, the biotic factors are living organisms that directly or indirectly influence each other. The abiotic factors, on the other hand, are non-living components that affect the ecosystem.
A. temperature - Biotic factor (because it affects the organisms)
B. hawks - Biotic factor (because they are living organisms)
C. beavers - Biotic factor (because they are living organisms)
D. fir trees - Biotic factor (because they are living organisms)
Therefore, the correct answer to the first question is A. temperature, as it is an abiotic factor.
A. temperature - Abiotic factor (because it is a non-living component)
B. rainfall - Abiotic factor (because it is a non-living component)
C. type of soil - Abiotic factor (because it is a non-living component)
D. water snakes - Biotic factor (because they are living organisms)
Therefore, the correct answer to the second question is D. water snakes, as they are a biotic factor.
To answer the first question, you need to determine which of the given options is not a biotic factor in the described pond ecosystem. Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.
To identify the biotic factors, you need to consider the components that are living organisms in the ecosystem described. In this case, perch, bass, ducks, crayfish, frogs, and water snakes are all living organisms, so they qualify as biotic factors.
Let's evaluate the options:
A. Temperature: This is an abiotic factor because it refers to the physical property of the water, not a living organism.
B. Hawks: Hawks are living organisms; therefore, they are biotic factors.
C. Beavers: Beavers are living organisms; therefore, they are biotic factors.
D. Fir trees: Fir trees are not mentioned in the given ecosystem description, so we don't have enough information to determine if they are present. However, since the ecosystem described is a freshwater pond, it is unlikely that fir trees would be part of it. Therefore, fir trees would not be a factor affecting the described ecosystem.
Based on the evaluation, the answer to the first question is:
D. Fir trees
Now, let's move on to the second question.
Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem that influence the organisms living within it. To answer the second question, you need to determine which of the given options is not an abiotic factor in the described pond ecosystem.
Let's evaluate the options:
A. Temperature: This is an abiotic factor because it refers to the physical property of the water, such as its warmth or coldness.
B. Rainfall: Rainfall refers to the amount of precipitation in the ecosystem and relates to the water cycle, making it an abiotic factor.
C. Type of soil: The given ecosystem description does not mention any soil, so we don't have enough information to determine the type of soil it has. However, since it is described as a freshwater pond, it is unlikely that soil would be a significant factor within the water itself. Therefore, the type of soil would not be a factor affecting the described ecosystem.
D. Water snakes: Water snakes are living organisms; therefore, they are biotic factors.
Based on the evaluation, the answer to the second question is:
C. Type of soil