4. ECOLOGY & THE ENVIRONMENT Flashcards
4.1 ecology is the study of
ecosystems
4.1 an ecosystem is..
an easily described system/area where organisms interact with their physical environment
4.1 what are habitats
the places where specific organisms live
4.1 in ecology a community is formed of
the populations of all the species present in an ecosystem at a particular time
4.1 a population is
the total number of individuals of one species in a particular habitat at a particular time
4.2 ecologists measure the size of a population in a habitat using a
quadrat
4.2 most of the time for a quadrat we use a …cm X ..cm square
50cm X 50cm
0.25m^2
4.2 to measure the population you
place a quadrat on the ground
count the number individuals of your species inside the square
4.2 when individuals are on the edge to make sure data is consistent you..
only count those on the top and left edges only
4.2 if it is difficult to count your species (grass) you can..
estimate the percentage of the quadrat area covered by the species
4.2 to find out the population of a species in a habitat you would
calculate area
measure quadrat
repeat 10X for reliability
average num in quadrat
how many quads fit in total area
multiply amount fit by averg num
4.2 how do you make sure your data is valid
use random sampling
4.2 how do you take a random sample
make right angle by 10mX10m axis
generate random coordinates
OR randomly throw over shoulder
4.3B what is biodiversity
it’s the range and variety of different species or organisms on earth or within an ecosystem
4.4B to make the grid you randomly generate numbers between … for what
1-10 for coordinates
4.4B what is a transect
a sample continuously or at regular intervals along the line
4.4B pick 2 …. areas to display the different habitats
contrasting
4.4B use …. sampling to take repeated measurements and compare the average results
random
4.4B use a transect to pass through a range of
abiotic conditions
(e.g. light-shade)
4.4B what is placed at regular intervals along the transect
a quadrat
4.4B what is the quadrat used for
to measure the number / % cover of the species
4.5 what are some abiotic factors
light intensity, temperature, moisture levels, wind intensity, carbon dioxide levels & oxygen levels
4.5 what are some biotic factors
availability of food, new predators, new pathogens and competition
4.5 how does light intensity affect the community
its needed for photosynthesis
4.5 how does temperature affect the community
affects rate of photosynthesis in plants
4.5 how does moisture affect the community
plants and animals require water to survive
4.6 the arrows in a food chain represent
the direction that the energy and biomass is moving
4.6 the stages in a food chain/web are called the
trophic levels
4.6 the origin of a food chain/web is a
producer
4.6 the first animal is called the
primary consumer
4.6 the second animal is called the
secondary consumer
4.6 the third animal is called the
tertiary consumer