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8th Grade Science Unit 4

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  • What is an invasive species?
    A species introduced to an ecosystem where it does not naturally belong, like buffelgrass in Arizona.
  • How do Arctic algae contribute to the sea ice ecosystem?
    They grow under ice floes and are consumed by shrimp-like organisms.
  • How does buffelgrass affect native plants in the Sonoran Desert?
    It competes for water and nutrients, threatening the survival of native species.
  • What ecosystem provides a habitat for frogs and dragonflies to breed?
    Rice paddies.
  • Why are food webs important in an ecosystem?
    They show how energy is transferred between producers, consumers, and decomposers.
  • How does desert soil help plants survive?
    It retains moisture and provides essential minerals.
  • What is the study of ecosystems called?
    Ecology.
  • What role does air play in the desert ecosystem?
    It provides carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and oxygen for respiration.
  • What adaptations do plants and animals in the Sonoran Desert share?
    They have developed ways to conserve water and protect themselves from harsh conditions.
  • What happened to New Zealand's native birds when rats were introduced?
    Rats ate their eggs and young, leading to population declines.
  • What are saguaro cacti?
    They are tall plants that grow slowly and are commonly found in the Sonoran Desert.
  • Why is sunlight important in the Sonoran Desert?
    It allows plants to photosynthesize, producing food for herbivores.
  • Why do kangaroo rats come out at night?
    To feed while avoiding predators and the daytime heat.
  • How do ants contribute to the desert ecosystem?
    They collect seeds, some of which germinate into new plants.
  • How do saguaro cacti survive long periods without water?
    Their roots spread out just beneath the soil's surface to absorb rainwater.
  • What is a native species?
    A species that naturally occurs in a specific region without human intervention.
  • What do mudskippers feed on in mangrove ecosystems?
    They feed on whatever they can find on the mud when the tide is out.
  • What transformation happens after heavy rains in the Sonoran Desert?
    Plants bloom quickly, producing flowers that attract insects for pollination.
  • What are mangroves?
    Trees that grow with their roots in seawater, forming coastal forests in tropical areas.
  • What do lizards and tortoises do during hot desert days?
    They seek shade or burrow into the soil to avoid the heat.
  • Why do rice paddies heat up quickly during the day?
    The shallow water absorbs heat from the sun.
  • What do nocturnal animals in the desert avoid?
    They avoid overheating and dehydration by being active at night.
  • What is the role of the Gila woodpecker in the desert ecosystem?
    It creates nests by making holes in saguaro cacti, which are later used by other birds.
  • How do plants help animals in the desert?
    They provide shelter and nesting sites.
  • What happens to kangaroo rat droppings?
    They become part of the soil, enriching it.
  • What is one example of interdependence in the desert ecosystem?
    Bats pollinate agave plants while feeding on nectar.
  • Give one example of a non-feeding interaction in the Sonoran Desert.
    Plant roots hold soil together, preventing erosion during rain.
  • What is the interaction purpose between the Teddy Bear Cholla and the Cactus Wren?
    Protection
  • What is an ecosystem?
    A network of interactions between living and non-living things in an environment.
  • Why is it difficult to eradicate introduced species?
    They adapt to the new environment and often have no natural predators.
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