Question 1: Describe the main characteristics of a tropical rainforest ecosystem, including climate, vegetation, and animal life.

Answer: A tropical rainforest ecosystem is characterized by a hot, humid climate with high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year. The vegetation is dense and diverse, with tall trees forming a canopy, layered with shrubs and epiphytes. Animal life is highly diverse, including insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles, many of which are adapted to the dense forest environment.

Question 2: Explain how the climate of a desert ecosystem influences the type of plants that grow there.

Answer: Desert ecosystems have extremely low rainfall and high temperatures, which limit the growth of plants. Only drought-resistant plants with adaptations such as deep roots, thick stems, and water storage tissues (e.g., cacti) can survive. These plants are typically sparse and specialized for conserving water.

Question 3: Identify and describe three adaptations of plants found in a tundra ecosystem.

Answer: Plants in the tundra have adaptations such as small or cushion-shaped growth forms to reduce heat loss, dark-colored leaves or stems to absorb more heat, and a short growing season with rapid reproduction. They also have shallow roots to take advantage of the short period of thawed soil.

Question 4: Discuss the role of producers, consumers, and decomposers within a grassland ecosystem.

Answer: Producers, mainly grasses and herbaceous plants, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. Consumers, such as herbivores like zebras and insects, feed on these plants. Decomposers, including bacteria and fungi, break down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the soil and supporting plant growth.

Question 5: Draw a simple diagram to illustrate the water cycle within an ecosystem. Include key processes and labels.

Answer: A correct diagram should show sunlight causing evaporation from water bodies, condensation forming clouds, precipitation falling back to the ground, and water runoff and infiltration into the soil. It should include labels for evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, and infiltration.

Question 6: Explain how human activities such as deforestation can impact a rainforest ecosystem.

Answer: Deforestation reduces the number of trees, leading to habitat loss for many species, decreased biodiversity, and disruption of the water cycle. It also contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon dioxide and can cause soil erosion due to the loss of root structures.

Question 7: Identify a specific ecosystem and describe one way in which it provides benefits to humans.

Answer: The Amazon rainforest provides benefits such as oxygen production through photosynthesis, regulation of the Earth's climate, and resources like fruits, medicinal plants, and timber for local communities.

Question 8: Sketch a simple food chain within a coral reef ecosystem, including at least four organisms.

Answer:

Question 9: Describe two ways in which climate change could threaten a tundra ecosystem.

Answer: Climate change can lead to rising temperatures, causing permafrost to melt, which disrupts habitats and releases greenhouse gases. It can also result in longer growing seasons, allowing shrubs and trees to invade the tundra, which alters the native plant and animal communities.

Question 10: Evaluate the importance of biodiversity in maintaining the stability of an ecosystem.

Answer: Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem stability by ensuring resilience to environmental changes, supporting complex food webs, and enabling various species to perform essential roles such as pollination and nutrient cycling. A diverse ecosystem is more likely to recover from disturbances and maintain its functions.