Question 1: Define the term 'ecosystem' and explain its main components.

Answer: An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and with their non-living environment within a specific area. Its main components include biotic factors (plants, animals, microorganisms) and abiotic factors (soil, water, climate, air).

Question 2: Describe the differences between a tropical rainforest and a desert in terms of climate, vegetation, and animal life.

Answer: A tropical rainforest has a hot, humid climate with high rainfall throughout the year, supporting dense, tall vegetation and a wide variety of animal species. A desert has a very dry climate with low rainfall, sparse vegetation such as cacti and shrubs, and animals adapted to conserve water, like reptiles and small mammals.

Question 3: Explain how the process of photosynthesis supports the ecosystem in a temperate woodland.

Answer: Photosynthesis allows green plants to produce food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. This process provides the primary energy source for herbivores and other organisms, forming the basis of the food chain in a temperate woodland ecosystem.

Question 4: Identify and describe two abiotic factors that influence ecosystems, providing specific examples.

Answer: Temperature and rainfall are two abiotic factors. For example, in a tundra, low temperatures limit plant growth, while in a rainforest, high rainfall supports lush vegetation.

Question 5: Sketch a simple diagram of an oceanic food chain, including at least three organisms and their feeding relationships.

Answer: A correct sketch would depict phytoplankton as the producer, small fish as primary consumers, and larger fish or marine mammals as secondary consumers, with arrows indicating the flow of energy from one to the next.

Question 6: Describe how human activity can impact a coral reef ecosystem.

Answer: Human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and destructive fishing methods can damage coral reefs, leading to loss of biodiversity, decline in fish populations, and degradation of the habitat.

Question 7: Explain the concept of a 'food web' and how it differs from a food chain.

Answer: A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains showing multiple feeding relationships in an ecosystem. Unlike a simple food chain, it illustrates the multiple pathways energy and nutrients flow through the ecosystem.

Question 8: Draw a diagram to show the process of nutrient cycling in an ecosystem, including at least three key components.

Answer: A correct diagram should include components such as plants (which take up nutrients from the soil), decomposers (which break down dead organic matter and release nutrients), and the soil or water as the medium where nutrients are stored and recycled.

Question 9: Discuss the importance of biodiversity within an ecosystem and the potential consequences of reduced biodiversity.

Answer: Biodiversity ensures ecosystem stability, resilience, and productivity by providing a variety of species that perform different ecological roles. Reduced biodiversity can lead to ecosystem fragility, decreased productivity, and increased vulnerability to environmental changes.