Here are the answers to the questions on the worksheet, broken down step by step.
1. Ecosystem Components Chart
*(Note: The instructions say to put this on the back of the page, but here is the information you need for your chart)*
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Abiotic things (Non-living): Sun, water (stream), soil/rocks, air.
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Primary Producers (Plants): Trees, bushes, grass, flowers, aquatic plants in the stream.
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Primary Consumers (Herbivores - eat plants): Rabbit, squirrel, insects (like the butterfly shown).
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Secondary Consumers (Carnivores/Omnivores - eat animals): Hawk (eats rabbit/squirrel), fish or frogs in the stream (eat insects).
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Decomposers: Bacteria and fungi in the soil (break down dead leaves and animals). *Note: These aren't drawn, but they are always there!*
2. If the sun stops shining:
The sun provides energy for plants to grow. If the sun stops shining, the plants will die because they cannot make food. Without plants, the primary consumers (rabbits, squirrels) will starve. Then, the secondary consumers (hawks) will have nothing to eat and will also die or leave. Eventually, the whole ecosystem would collapse.
3. If there is no rainfall for several months:
Without rain, the stream might dry up, and the soil will become very dry. Plants need water to survive, so they will wilt and die. Animals that drink from the stream will have no water source. Animals that eat the plants will lose their food supply. Many animals would likely die from thirst or hunger, or they would have to move to a different area to survive.
4. If the population of hawks grows very large:
Hawks eat rabbits and squirrels. If there are too many hawks, they will eat almost all of the rabbits and squirrels very quickly. Once the prey is gone, the hawks will start starving because there isn't enough food for such a large group. Also, with fewer rabbits and squirrels eating them, the plant population might grow out of control at first, but then crash when the ecosystem becomes unbalanced.
5. If raw sewage leaks into the stream:
Raw sewage contains harmful bacteria and uses up the oxygen in the water as it breaks down. This pollution would kill the fish and other aquatic life in the stream because they wouldn't be able to breathe. It could also make the land around the stream unhealthy for plants and dangerous for any animal that drinks the water.
6. Three other actions and their effects:
*(Here are three examples you can write down)*
1.
Action: A forest fire burns down the trees.
Effect: Animals lose their homes and hiding spots; the soil might wash away because tree roots are gone.
2.
Action: Humans build a road through the forest.
Effect: Animals might get hit by cars; their habitat is split in half, making it hard to find mates or food.
3.
Action: A disease kills all the rabbits.
Effect: The hawks would have less to eat and might start hunting squirrels more often, causing the squirrel population to drop.
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Final Answer:
1. Chart Data: Abiotic: Sun, Water, Soil. Producers: Trees, Grass. Primary Consumers: Rabbit, Squirrel. Secondary Consumers: Hawk. Decomposers: Bacteria/Fungi.
2. Sun stops: Plants die → Herbivores starve → Carnivores starve → Ecosystem collapses.
3. No rain: Water dries up → Plants die → Animals die from thirst/hunger or migrate.
4. Too many hawks: They overhunt prey (rabbits/squirrels) → Prey disappears → Hawks starve.
5. Sewage leak: Water loses oxygen → Fish/aquatic life die → Water becomes toxic to drinkers.
6. Other Actions: (A) Forest fire destroys habitats. (B) Road construction fragments territory. (C) Disease wipes out a specific species, disrupting the food web.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of ecosystem science worksheet.
