Unit 1 Sustainable Ecosystems (3561.0K) - McGraw-Hill Ryerson

Sustainable Ecosystems

• People have the responsibility to regulatetheir impact on the sustainability ofecosystems in order to preserve them forfuture generations.• Ecosystems are dynamic and have theability to respond to change, within limits,while maintaining their ecological balance.Roads provide pathways for many human journeys. Roadsalso divide habitats, forcing animals to face dangers fromfast-moving vehicles when the animals migrate or travelwithin their habitat. Posting warning signs to reminddrivers to slow down and watch for animals is one way toreduce collisions and wildlife deaths on our roads.A road dividing a habitat is an example of humanactivity that has disturbed an ecosystem. An ecosystemcan respond to disturbances—but only within limits.Beyond those limits, the ecosystem cannot recover itsecological balance.In this unit, you will learn about why sustainableecosystems are crucial to life on Earth and whatpeople can do to help protect them.Why does it matter if an animal’shabitat is divided?Chapter 1Nutrient Cycles andEnergy FlowChapter 2Populations andSustainable EcosystemsChapter 3Biodiversity1

Get Ready for Unit 1Concept Check1. Examine the forest ecosystem shown in theillustration below. Make a table with the headings“Biotic” and “Abiotic”. Give your table a title.Under each heading, list the components of theforest ecosystem that belong to that category.3. The food chain shown below is just one ofmany food chains in a forest ecosystem. Usingthe organisms shown in the forest ecosystemillustration, draw a different food chain.4. Use the words below to write a brief explanationof why trees are important to forest ecosystems.BioticAbioticproducersoxygenfoodleavesshadeplantshabitatdecomposephotosynthesis2. Complete each of the following sentences, usingone of the organisms from the forest ecosystemshown below to fill in the blanks. (Do not writein this textbook.) The first sentence is completedfor you.a. A puffball mushroom is a decomposerbecause it breaks down the remains of deadanimals and plants.b. A is a scavenger because...c. A is a producer because...d. A is a consumer because...e. A is a herbivore because...f. A is a carnivore because...g. A is an omnivore because...5. Choose one of the following events. Make aflowchart to show how the event might affecta forest ecosystem.a. A forest fire rages through the forest.b. A logging company clear-cuts the trees inthe forest.c. A beaver builds a dam in a nearby pondthat results in the stream drying up.d. Hunters kill all of the wolves in the area.e. An invasive species of beetle kills all of thepine trees in the area.A Forest Food ChainA Forest Ecosystem2 MHR • Unit 1 Sustainable Ecosystems