Food Web

Step 1

Was your prediction correct? How did you arrive at your predictions? What differences were there between your predictions and the simulator?

My prediction was correct because I always want to keep a balance in the ecosystem and provide a chance to all the organisms who depend on the ecosystem.

What would happen to this imaginary ecosystem if the producers were to die out?

The producers provide the energy to the ecosystem. If they were to die, organisms like top predators, herbivore and omnivore would also die.

Did any of the species increase in number? What could account for this increase? Which species decreased in number and what might account for this decrease?

Because the level of the food was stable, it provided a good habitat to the Herbivore A and Omnivore A. Therefore, their number increased. At first, Plant A and B start to decrease but then there was a balance achieved.

Which populations would benefit the presence of decomposers?

The fact that decomposers help in converting organisms to become a part of the fertile soil, Plant A and B would benefit the most from their presence.

Step 2

Was your prediction correct? How did you arrive at your predictions? What differences were there between your predictions and the simulator?

My prediction was correct for most of its part because I relied on inclusion of all the organisms in the ecosystem.

Were you able to modify the parameters so that each species survived? Explain how you decided what changes to make?

There were some simple steps that I took and which helped in making it possible for each specie to survive. For example, plant C, Omnivore A and B were ensured not to be eaten in the simulator which ensured their survival.

Which may does energy flow and how does eating an organism results in energy transfer?

When one of the organism consumes another, there is always a transfer of energy from the organism that has been eaten to the predator. The direction of the flow of energy is from decomposer, to the producer and then herbivores, omnivores and the predator that is present at he top.