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Oxford Insight Science 8

Jenny Zhang, Diane Alford, Samantha Hopley, Craig Tilley

Chapter 1

Ecosystems - all with Video Answers

Educators


Chapter Questions

07:43

Problem 1

Fill in the gaps using the words in the Word Bank below:
Ecosystems are a delicate balance between the _____________________ of living things and the ____________________ conditions of their habitat. The living things in the community interact through feeding relationships. These relationships can be displayed as ______________________. There are three main roles within food webs: ______________________ photosynthesise to convert energy into a usable form for other organisms; _____________________ eat organisms to gain their energy; and ______________________ break down dead matter to return the nutrients to the ecosystem. Microorganisms can feature at any level in a food web and are ____________________ to humans as part of our ______________________, by helping us to fight disease and to digest food. However, some ______________________ can also cause disease. Human activities can alter food webs; for example, the introduction of plant or animal species into an ecosystem or ______________________ and urbanisation, which results in ______________________. Ecological research has enabled humans to alter ecosystems for the better through the management of irregular ______________________ and improving ______________________ practices.
$$
\begin{array}{llll}
\text { abiotic } & \text { consumers } & \text { food webs } & \text { natural events } \\
\text { agricultural } & \text { decomposers } & \text { habitat loss } & \text { natural flora } \\
\text { beneficial } & \text { deforestation } & \text { microorganisms } & \text { producers } \\
\text { community } & & &
\end{array}
$$

Chaim Chernoff
Chaim Chernoff
Numerade Educator
01:28

Problem 2

Examine the food web in Figure 1.15 on page 11. Identify and draw a food chain from within that food web with five trophic levels.

Hailey Tomashek
Hailey Tomashek
Numerade Educator
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Problem 3

Explain why a food web is a more accurate representation of the feeding relationships within an ecosystem than a food chain is.

Marisa A
Marisa A
Numerade Educator
00:30

Problem 4

Determine which would be more resistant to change: an ecosystem with high biodiversity or an ecosystem with low biodiversity. Justify your choice.

Sam Limsuwannarot
Sam Limsuwannarot
Numerade Educator
03:05

Problem 5

5 Examine the food web in Figure 1.15 on page 11.
a Identify an organism that is both a secondary and a tertiary consumer.
b Identify the trophic level(s) of a skink.
c Classify the honeyeater (pictured) using one of the following terms: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, detritivore.

Jennifer Smith
Jennifer Smith
Numerade Educator
03:02

Problem 6

Examine the food web in Figure 1.15 on page 11.
a Predict what would happen to three other organisms in the food web if bushfire destroyed all the native grasses.
b Predict what would happen to three other organisms if all the feral cats were removed from the ecosystem.

Chaim Chernoff
Chaim Chernoff
Numerade Educator
02:15

Problem 7

Explain why every food chain must start with a producer.

Dennis Howard
Dennis Howard
Numerade Educator
01:37

Problem 8

Identify the three main groups of microorganisms.

VS
Vivek Singh
Numerade Educator
00:50

Problem 9

The surface of our skin is home to a large variety of microorganisms. Recall the term used to collectively describe these microorganisms.

Dennis Howard
Dennis Howard
Numerade Educator
01:35

Problem 10

Provide two different examples of when microorganisms are a vital component of food webs.

Simon Sauvageau
Simon Sauvageau
Numerade Educator
02:01

Problem 11

Explain a situation where microorganisms are harmful to other living things.

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Rabia Bibi
Numerade Educator
01:59

Problem 12

Explain why some introduced plants and animals can become pests in Australia.

Hannah Vigran
Hannah Vigran
Numerade Educator
01:23

Problem 13

Create a table with two columns headed 'Problems' and 'Solutions'. In the Problems column, list three things people do that affect ecosystems and food chains (e.g. cutting down trees). In the Solutions column, provide some possible solutions to each problem.

K Joseph
K Joseph
Numerade Educator
01:56

Problem 14

Explain the role of green corridors in preserving biodiversity.

Anand Jangid
Anand Jangid
Numerade Educator
01:23

Problem 15

Evaluate biological control as a method of controlling introduced pest species.

Qudsiya Anis
Qudsiya Anis
Numerade Educator
03:56

Problem 16

Identify the term that describes the location and frequency of controlled burns to reduce the impact of bushfires in an ecosystem.

John Barone
John Barone
Numerade Educator
03:41

Problem 17

Identify one factor that influences the intensity of a fire.

Iryna Ivaniuk
Iryna Ivaniuk
Numerade Educator

Problem 18

Research some management strategies for flood or drought in NSW. Identify the benefits of these strategies and the scientific knowledge or technological developments that enable this practice to be implemented. Present your research as a multimedia presentation.

Check back soon!
03:57

Problem 19

Imagine someone asked you 'Why are ecosystems so important?' Draft a reply, taking into account the key concepts covered in this chapter.

Danielle Ashley
Danielle Ashley
Numerade Educator
01:59

Problem 20

Explain why introduced dung beetle species have not become a pest species in Australia.

Hannah Vigran
Hannah Vigran
Numerade Educator
03:59

Problem 21

Explain how research into the benefits of soil organic carbon has improved crop yield.

Briana De La Torre
Briana De La Torre
Numerade Educator
00:35

Problem 22

Other than ecology and environmental science, suggest some specific branches of science that contribute to researching improved agricultural practices.

Emily Himsel
Emily Himsel
Numerade Educator
01:09

Problem 23

Population sizes of organisms and biodiversity of ecosystems can decrease for a number of different reasons, including habitat loss, climate change and direct removal by humans. Describe how each reason listed here can reduce biodiversity.

April Berlyoung
April Berlyoung
Numerade Educator
01:29

Problem 24

Research an Australian environmental scientist or ecologist. Identify their name and profession and summarise the findings of their most important research.

Courtney Burson
Courtney Burson
Numerade Educator