4.1 - Populations and ecosystems Flashcards
What is ecology?
The study of inter-relationships between organisms and their environment.
What 2 components does the environment consist of?
Abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living).
What is the biosphere?
The life-supporting later of land, air and water that surrounds the earth.
What is an ecosystem?
A self-contained biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. It exists in a specific area.
What is a population?
A group of interbreeding organisms of one species in a habitat.
What is a community?
All the populations of different organisms living and interacting in a particular place at the same time.
What is a habitat?
The place where a community of organisms lives.
Are there many habitats within an ecosystem?
Yes. e.g. leaf canopy of trees, decaying logs - both inside an oak woodland.
What is a microhabitat?
Smaller units within each habitat with their own microclimates. e.g. mud at the bottom of a stream/crevice on the bark of an oak tree.
What is a niche?
A description of how an organism fits into the environment.
concerns even aspects such as behaviour/nesting
Can two species occupy exactly the same niche?
No.
