Question

1. form hypothesis: where do you think trees get the nutrients they need to grow?
2. predict: based on your hypothesis, how will the tree population change if all other organisms (deer, bears, and mushrooms) are removed from the forest?
3. analyze: remove all organisms except trees. click advance year a few times and select the data tab. was your prediction correct? explain what you found.
4. draw conclusions: substances that contain carbon and are produced by living things are called organic. examples of organic materials are sugar, blood, protein, and fat. other materials, like water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and ammonia, are called inorganic. some living things, called producers, can produce the organic materials they need (like food) from inorganic matter. all other organisms are consumers; they consume organic matter since they cannot make it themselves.

do your results show you that trees are producers or consumers? explain.

1. analyze: click the forest tab. click the plus (+) button for mushrooms several times. click advance year a few times. select the data tab. how did adding mushrooms affect trees?

Explanation:

1. Trees get nutrients mainly from the soil through their roots. Soil contains organic matter from decomposed plant and animal material, as well as inorganic nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
2. If all other organisms are removed, the tree population may initially increase as there is no competition for resources and no herbivores to consume them. However, over time, the lack of decomposers (like mushrooms) may lead to a build - up of dead organic matter and a depletion of nutrients in the soil, which could eventually limit tree growth.
3. The prediction may or may not be correct depending on the simulation results. If the tree population continues to grow steadily, the prediction of initial growth was correct. If it starts to decline later due to nutrient issues, the long - term aspect of the prediction needs to be re - evaluated.
4. Trees are producers. They can perform photosynthesis, using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water (inorganic matter) to produce organic materials like glucose (food) and oxygen.
5. Adding mushrooms (decomposers) can be beneficial to trees. Mushrooms break down dead organic matter in the soil, releasing nutrients back into the soil that trees can absorb, potentially promoting tree growth.

Answer:

1. Trees get nutrients from the soil.
2. Initially may increase, but could decline later.
3. Depends on simulation results; explain based on growth trends.
4. Trees are producers as they perform photosynthesis to make organic matter from inorganic matter.
5. Adding mushrooms may release nutrients and promote tree growth.