Ecosystem Dynamics Study Guide
Name ____________________________________
6th Grade PSI Science
1. What is ecology?
2. Define the levels of organization, from smallest to largest:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
3. Different species are not able to do what?
4. What are abiotic factors?
www.njctl.org
6th Grade PSI
Ecosystem Dynamics
5. List two abiotic factors.
6. What are biotic factors?
7. List two biotic factors.
8. What is a habitat?
9. What is a niche?
10. Define the three groups of organisms that are present in a healthy ecosystem:
a.
b.
c.
11. Why are decomposers important to ecosystems?
www.njctl.org
6th Grade PSI
Ecosystem Dynamics
12. What are two different ways to categorize consumers?
a.
b.
13. What is biodiversity?
14. How does biodiversity relate to stability?
15. What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
16. When climate affects habitats, what are two responses of populations in the
ecosystem?
a.
b.
17. How can natural disasters affect ecosystems?
18. List two ways that humans affect ecosystems.
www.njctl.org
6th Grade PSI
Ecosystem Dynamics
19. How do foreign species affect local ecosystems?
20. Explain the effect that removal of the American alligator had on the ecosystem.
21. Explain the effect that removal of the sea otter had on the kelp forest ecosystem.
22. Sharks prey on weak, old fish. Describe three ways that this maintains a healthy
ecosystem.
a.
b.
c.
www.njctl.org
6th Grade PSI
Ecosystem Dynamics