10. Biospheres to ecosystems Flashcards
What is Ecology?
Study of relationships or interactions between living organisms and between the organisms and their natural environment.
Provide the definition of Biosphere.
Parts of Earth supporting life.
Provide the definition of a Biome.
Large area with a cerrtian climate and specific variety of plants and animals.
Provide the definition of Ecosystem.
Partciular area where biotic and abiotic components interact with each other.
Provide the definition of Community.
Different populations interacting in an area.
Provide the definition of Population.
Group of organisms of the same species living in a specific area at the same time.
Provide the definition of Species.
Group of organisms of the same kind, able to breed successfully to fertile offspring.
Provide the definition of Organism.
Single form of life.
Provide the definition of Habitat.
Place where an organism lives.
Provide the definition of Niche.
Role of organism in it’s habitat.
What are the parts of the Biosphere?
Atmosphere, Lithosphere and Hydrosphere.
What are the 2 types of Biome?
Terrestrial and Aquatic
Give 4 examples of Terrestrial biomes found in SA.
Fynbos, Grasslands, Forest and Savannah.
What is an Aquatic biome?
Areas of water with a combination of salinity, temp and nutrient levels.
Give 3 examples of Aquatic biomes.
- Inland ( freshwater)
- Coastal (saltwater)
- Marine (saltwater)
What are the conditions in the Fynbos biome?
- Hot,dry summers
- Cold,wet winters
- Strong winds lead to veld fires
Name the 4 dominant plant groups in the Fynbos biome.
- Proteas
- Erica
- Restios
- Geophytes
What mammals can you find in the Fynbos biome?
Baboons, jackals, duikers, bontebok
Give 5 threats to the Fynbos biome.
- Climate change
- Pastures for livestock
- Fires that are too frequent
- Agricultural and urban expansion
- Alien plant invasion
What is a Wetland?
Areas with waterlogged soil or soil covered with shallow layer of water.
Give 4 importances of Wetland.
- Flood controllers
- Provide regualr water supply
- Water is filtered naturally by vegetation
- Maintains biodiversity as it provides habitats
Name 4 threats to Wetlands.
- Pollution
- Habitat fragmentation
- Water level changes
- Invasive species
What are Abiotic factors?
All non-living factors in an ecosystem.
Name the Abiotic factors.
- Physiographic factors
- Edaphic factors
- Light
- Temperature
- Water
- Atmospheric gases
- Wind
Name the 3 physiographic factors.
Aspect, Slope and Altitude
What is Aspect?
Position of an area in relation to the sun.
Which side gets more sunlight in SA?
North-facing slopes
How is run-off water on a steep slope?
Faster and soil erosion occurs more frequently.
How is soil on a steep slope?
Shallow and infertile with few plants and animals.
Name the 5 Edaphic factors.
- Soil texture
- Soil air
- pH
- Water-retention capacity
- Humus content
Describe the soil texture of Clay.
Small soil particles
Describe the soil texture of Loam.
Slightly bigger particles
Describe the soil texture of Sand.
Large particles
Which soil is poorly aerated?
Clay
Which soil is well aerated?
Sand
What is the water-retention capacity of Sand?
Low
What is the water-retention capacity of Clay?
High
What is the water-retention capacity of Loam?
Medium
What is Humus?
Decayed plant and animal matter
What does Humus increase?
Soil fertility and water-retention
In which pH do Succulent plants grow?
Alkaline soil (high)
Provide the definition of Photoperiodism.
Effect of day length on the growth of a plant.
What is nocturnal?
Active at night
What are neutral plants?
Aren’t affected by day length
Give 3 characteristics of Ectothermic animals.
- Can’t regulate body temp.
- Body temp fluctuates with environmental temp
- Inactive when too cold/hot
Give 3 characteristics of Endothermic animals.
- Regulate body temp
- Environmental temp doesn’t influence body temp.
- Survive in very hot/cold conditions
Why do Deciduous tress lose their leaves in autumn?
Limity photosynthesis and growth
Give 4 examples of Seasonal changes.
Migration, Hibernation, Aestivation and Bulbs
Provide the definition of Migration.
Seasonal movement of animals due to changes in temp or water and food availability
Provide the definition of Hibernation.
Animals become inactive due to colder winter months.
Provide the definition of Aestivation.
Animals become inactive due to drought/very hot conditions.
Provide the definition of Dormant plant species.
Plants become inactive due to unfavourbale conditions.
Provide the defintion of Deciduous trees.
Lose their leaves during winter months to conserve energy and water.
What are Hydrophytes?
Plants that grow in water (water lilies)
What are Mesophytes?
Plants that grow in areas withh moderate water supply ( wheat)
What are Xerophytes?
Plants that grow in extremely dry conditions. (aloe)
Give 4 adaptions of Xerophytes.
- Small leaves to reduce water loss
- Thorns to reduce water loss
- Thick, fleshy roots to store water
- Waxy cuticle to protect living tissue
Give 4 adaptions of Hydrophytes.
- Large,flat leaves to float
- Waxy cuticle for water runoff
- Little/no xylem
- Many stomata to speed up transpiration.
Give 4 animal adaptions to conserve water.
- Dry,scaly skin to reduce water loss
- Very concentrated urine
- Burrow into ground when hot
- Nocturnal
What is the air mostly made up of?
- 78% Nitrogen
- 21% Oxygen
- 0,04% CO2
- 0,96% Other
Give 4 effects of wind.
- Rainfall
- Increase transpiration rate
- Seed dispersal
- Pollination
What are Biotic factors?
All living organisms in an ecosystem
What are the 3 levels of Biotic factors?
- Producers
- Consumers
- Decomposers
Why are green plants producers?
Contain chlorophyll and can produce their own organic food through photosynthesis
On what trophic level are producers?
Autotrophic
On what trophic level are Consumers?
Heterotrophic
Name the 3 types of Consumers.
- Primary (herbivores)
- Secondary (Carnivores+Omnivores)
- Tertiary ( Carnivores)
What do Decomposers do?
Break down organic compounds into simple inorganic compounds that are released back into the environment.
On what trophic level are Decomposers?
Heterotrophic
Explain Energy flow.
- Energy flows in 1 direction
- Radiant energy from sun is converted into chemical potential energy during photosynthesis and glucose sorted in green plants.
- Prm cnsmrs obtain energy from plants
- Secondary eat primary
- Tertiary eat secondary
- Producers and consumers are decomposed by bacteria and fungi and energy is released into the environment.
What is a Food chain?
Transfer of energy from the sun through the green plants and the various consumers.
What is a Food web?
Consists of all food chains in an ecosystem.
Give 3 things organisms use energy for.
- Growth
- Lost as heat energy through respiration
- Urine and faeces
Name the 3 types of Ecological pyramids.
- Number
- Biomass
- Energy
What is a pyramid of numbers?
No. of organisms at each level
What is a pyramid of Biomass?
Mass of biological material at each level
What is a pyramid of energy?
Amount of energy passing through each level
List the 4 Nutrient cycles.
- Water
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Carbon
Name the 6 processes in the Water cycle.
- Evaporation
- Transpiration
- Condensation
- Precipitation
- Infiltration
- Melting and freezing
Name the 2 processes in the Oxygen cycle.
- Breathing and respiration
- Photosynthesis
Name the 7 processes in the Nitrogen cycle.
- Lightning
- Absorption
- Ingestion
- Decomposition
- Ammonification
- Nitrification
- Dentrification
Name the 4 processes in the Carbon cycle.
- Combustion
- Photosynthesis
- Cellular respiration
- Decomposition
Provide the definition of Nitrification.
Process during which ammonia is processes to form nitrites and ventually nitrates.
Provide the definition of Dentrification.
Process by which ammonia and nitrates are converted to free nitrogen gas in the atmosphere.
Provide the definition of a Consumer.
Heterotrophic organisms that are directly/indirectly dependent on producers for their carbohydrate food.
Provide the definition of Decomposers.
Saprophytic bacteria and fungi that feed on dead organic material.
