5.2 Mapping Ecosystems

Question 1

Distribution

Answer 1

The area inhabited by a plant or animal species.

Question 2

Density

Answer 2

The number of a species living within an area.

Question 3

Ecosystem

Answer 3

Communities of organisms that interact with each other and their environment.

Question 4

Biotic factors

Answer 4

The living things (organisms) in an ecosystem.

Question 5

Abiotic factors

Answer 5

The non-living features in an ecosystem.

Question 6

Tolerance range

Answer 6

Range of an abiotic factor in the environment in which an organism can survive.

Question 7

Optimum range

Answer 7

The range, within a tolerance range for a particular abiotic factor, in which an organism functions best.

Question 8

Biodiversity

Answer 8

The variety of species of biological organisms, often in relation to a particular area.

Question 9

Sampling methods

Answer 9

Techniques used to determine the density and distribution of various populations and communities within an ecosystem.

Question 10

Transects

Answer 10

A sampling area along a straight line in which the number of organisms in that area is counted and recorded.

Question 11

Quadrats

Answer 11

A sampling area, often one square metre, in which the number of organisms in that area is counted and recorded.

Question 12

Mark, release and recapture

Answer 12

A sampling method used to determine the abundance of mobile species.