Describe the relationship between the snowshoe hare and the Canada lynx. Is this an example of a biotic or abiotic interaction? Explain.

The Canada lynx preys on the snowshoe hare. As the hare population increases, the lynx population also increases, and vice versa. This is a biotic interaction because it involves the interaction between two living organisms.

Explain how the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park affected the ecosystem's biotic and abiotic factors.

The reintroduction of wolves decreased the elk population (biotic), which led to increases in aspen and willow populations (biotic). Beaver populations increased (biotic) because of the increased willow and aspen, and beaver dams altered water flow (abiotic).

What is a keystone species, and why is it important to an ecosystem? Use an example from the video to support your answer.

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment relative to its abundance. In Yellowstone Park, the wolf is a keystone species. Its presence or absence significantly affects the populations of elk, aspen, willow, beavers, and other species.

Biotic And Abiotic Interactions Lesson Plan for Grade 8

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Objective

I can describe the interactions between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem.

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

Bozeman Science · 10:06Vetted channel

We don't generate video — this one is by Bozeman Science on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

1
Biotic factors are living things that affect populations, while abiotic factors are non-living things.
2
In a predator-prey relationship, such as the one between the snowshoe hare and Canada lynx, the population of the prey affects the population of the predator, and vice versa.
3
The reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone Park dramatically impacted the ecosystem by reducing the elk population and allowing aspen and willow populations to recover.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

7 questions

Define the terms 'biotic' and 'abiotic' and provide one example of each that was NOT mentioned in the video.

How do abiotic factors influence the formation of biofilms?

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

“Give an example of how a biotic factor can affect an abiotic factor in the Yellowstone ecosystem, based on the video.”

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Biotic and Abiotic Interactions

Objective

Warm-up video

Key concepts

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