10.1 Flashcards
define ecosystem
an environment including all the living organisms interacting within it, the cycling of nutrients and the physical and chemical environment in which the organisms are living
define habitat
a place where organisms live
define microhabitat
small area of a habitat
define community
all the populations of all the different species of organisms living in a habitat at any one time
define abiotic factor
the non-living elements of the habitat of an organism
define biotic factor
the living elements of a habitat that affect the ability of a group of organisms to survive there
define biosphere
all of the areas of the surface of the earth where living organisms survive
define biomes
the major ecosystems of the world
define population
group of organisms of the same species living and breeding together in a habitat
define succession
the process by which the communities of organisms colonising an area over time
what is a climax community
a self-sustaining community with relatively constant biodiversity and species range. it is the most productive group of organisms that a given environment can support long term
what is a climatic climax community
the only climax community possible in a given climate
what is a plagioclimax
a climax community that is at least in part the result of human intervention
describe primary succession
empty inorganic surface
opportunist/pioneer species penetrate the rock surface
this traps organic matter and forms humus
then a soil can be established for grasses and ferns to grow
a root system is established
soil layer develops and more water and nutrients become available
larger plants can be supported
as plant diversity increases animal diversity will closely follow
leading to a climax community
give some examples or opportunist/pioneer species
algae, mosses and fungi
what is secondary succession
the development of an ecosystem from existing soil that is clear of vegetation
what causes secondary succession
river shift their courses, fires and floods, human disturbances
what factors effect the speed of succession
temperature
rainfall
underlying soil fertility
what is a microclimate
a small area with a distinct climate that is different to the surrounding areas
what is an edaphic factor
relate to the structure of the soil
what is leaching
the loss of minerals from soil as water passes through rapidly
how may plants be adapted to photosynthesize in low light levels
extra chlorophyll
different ratio of photosynthetic pigments that are sensitive to lower light levels
very large leaves to collect more light