Food Chains & Ecosystems Worksheet

Question 1

What is a producer? Give one example.

Accepted Answer

A producer is an organism that makes its own food through photosynthesis, such as grass or an oak tree.

Question 2

A rabbit eats grass, and a hawk eats the rabbit. Write this as a food chain.

Accepted Answer

Grass -> Rabbit -> Hawk

Question 3

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Decomposers break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil.

Question 4

Is a bear a herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore? Explain.

Accepted Answer

A bear is an omnivore because it eats both plants (berries, roots) and animals (fish, small mammals).

Question 5

If all the rabbits in an ecosystem disappeared, what might happen to the hawk population?

Accepted Answer

The hawk population would likely decrease because it would have less food available.

Question 6

Why do all food chains start with plants (or other producers)?

Accepted Answer

Plants capture energy from the sun through photosynthesis, making them the original energy source for the ecosystem.

Question 7

Name two ways humans can negatively affect an ecosystem.

Accepted Answer

Examples: habitat destruction/deforestation, pollution, introduction of invasive species, overhunting.

Question 8

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

Accepted Answer

A food chain shows one path of energy transfer; a food web shows many interconnected feeding relationships in an ecosystem.

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