19.1 Populations in ecosystems Flashcards
What is ecology
The study of relationships between organisms and their environment
What are abiotic factors
Give examples
An ecological factor that makes up part of the non-biological environment of an organism
The environment includes non living factors
. Temperature
. Sunlight
. Soil PH
. Water availability
What are biotic factors
An ecological factor that makes up part of living environment of an organism
Eg predators
Prey
Competitors
Pathogens causing disease
What is an ecosystem
Give examples
Dynamic system made up of a community and all the non living factors of the environment
Eg a pond
Which has its own community of plants to collect sunlight to get energy to supply the organisms within it
What two major processes occur in an ecosystem
. The flow of energy through the system
. The cycling of elements within the system
What is a population
A group of individuals of one species that occupy the same habitat at the same time and can potentially interbreed
What is carrying capacity
What does it rely on
The maximum size of a population
. The effect of abiotic factors
. Interaction between different organisms, eg interspecific and intraspecific competition and predation
What is a community
All the populations of different species living and interacting in a particular place at the same time
So eg in an oak tree habitat this may include
Nettles
Bluebells
woodlice
ladybirds
What is a habitat
How does it link to an ecosystem
A place where an organism normally lives and is characterised by physical conditions and other organisms present
Within an ecosystem there are many habitats.
Eg in oak tree the leaves may be a habitat for birds
Whilst the roots and decaying log may be a habitat for woodlice
What are microhabitats
Within habitats there are different microclimates, so eg in a stream that is a habitat, the bottom of it has different conditions to the top layer of water
What is a niche
It describes the role of a species in its habitat, so the impact it has on its environment
It includes all the biotic and abiotic conditions to which an organism is adapted in order to survive and reproduce
So no two species occupy the same niche, they all have roles
