1. Abiotic things: sun, water, soil, rocks, air. Primary producers: grass, trees, algae. Primary consumers: rabbit, mouse, fish. Secondary consumers: hawk, snake. Decomposers: fungi, bacteria (implied by decay).
2. If the sun stops shining, photosynthesis halts → plants die → herbivores starve → carnivores starve → ecosystem collapses.
3. Without rainfall for several months, water dries up → plants wither → animals lose food/water → population declines or migrates.
4. If hawk population grows large, they overhunt prey (rabbits, mice, fish) → prey populations crash → hawks starve → imbalance cascades through food web.
5. Raw sewage introduces toxins and excess nutrients → kills fish/insects → algal blooms deplete oxygen → further kills aquatic life → disrupts entire stream ecosystem.
6.
- Fire destroys vegetation → loss of habitat/food → animal displacement/death.
- Introduction of invasive species → outcompetes natives → reduces biodiversity.
- Pollution (e.g., pesticides) → poisons insects/fish → affects predators up the chain.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of ecosystem worksheet middle school.
