7.4 Flashcards
Community
all the populations of different species living in the same place (habitat) at the same time
Ecosystem
a community, plus all the non-living (abiotic) conditions of their environment.
Ecosystems are dynamic systems
can range in size from very small to very large
Niche
the role of a species within its habitat,
e.g. what it eats, where and when it feeds.
Each species has its own unique niche
if two species try to occupy the same niche, one will outcompete the other
Abiotic conditions
the non-living features of the ecosystem
e.g. temperature, pH
Biotic conditions
the living features of the ecosystem
e.g. predation, food supply, disease
Carrying capacity
maximum stable population size an ecosystem can support
varies as a result of the effect of abiotic fators and interactions between organisms (interspecific competition, intraspecific competition, predation)
What factors influence carrying capacity?
Abiotic factors
e.g. light, water, temperature
organisms grow fast and reproduce successfully with ideal abiotic conditions for the species
Interactions between organisms
Interspecific competition
Intraspecific competition
Predation
How does interspecific competition influence population size/carrying capacity?
Competition between species
Reduces resources available to both so limits both populations
If one species is better adapted, it will out-compete the others (competitive exclusion principle - no two species can occupy the same niche)
How does intraspecific competition influence population size/carrying capacity?
competition within a species
determines population size based on resources available
Smaller population = less competition –> better for growth and reproduction
–> larger population = more competition –> less growth and reproduction –> smaller population
so causes a cyclical change around the carrying capacity
How does predation influence population size of predators and prey?
Describe what the graph shows
prey population is large:
lots of food available for predators
so predators reproduce more successfully
predator population increases
prey population decreases as they are consumed
so fewer left to reproduce
prey population is now small
less food available for predators due to small prey population
so less successful reproduction of predators
so predator population decreases
prey population increases as there are fewer predators
so cycle continues
lag between predator and prey cycles due to time taken to reproduce
What 2 methods could be used for estimating the population size of a slow-moving or non-motile species?
randomly placed quadrats
quadrats along a belt transect
Describe how to use randomly placed quadrats to estimate the population size of a slow-moving/non-motile species.
Use a grid / split area into squares
Obtain random coordinates using a random number generator – place quadrats here
Deciding the number of quadrats to use to collect representative data:
Calculate running mean
When enough quadrats, this shows little change
Count frequency of species in quadrat
Calculate mean per quadrat
Calculate population size by multiplying the mean by the number of quadrats that would cover the habitat
Describe how to use quadrats along a belt transect to investigate the distribution of a species.
Lay tape measure from one place to another
Place quadrats at regular intervals along the line
Count frequency / percentage cover in quadrats
What method would be used to estimate the population size of a motile species?
mark-release-recapture
Method for mark-release-recapture.
Capture sample of species, mark (harmlessly) and release
Leave enough time for organisms to randomly distribute before collecting second sample
- population size= number in sample 1x number in sample 2/ number marked in sample 2
Assumptions made when using mark-release-recapture.
Sufficient time for marked individuals to mix within the population
Marking not removed and doesn’t affect chances of survival e.g. more visible to predators
No immigration/emigration
No births/deaths/breeding
Process of primary succession.
Colonisation by pioneer species (pioneer species = first species to colonise)
Pioneer species (or generally just certain species at each stage in succession) change the abiotic conditions and make the environment less hostile e.g. die and decompose, forming soil which retains water
Larger number and greater variety of niches so environment becomes more suitable for other species with different adaptations
and may be less suitable for the previous species – better adapted species outcompetes previous species
As succession goes on, biodiversity increases
Climax community: final, complex, stable community
pioneer species
first species to colonise
Succession
Process by which an ecosystem changes over time
Secondary succession description
recolonisation of an area after an earlier community has been removed or destroyed
soil and possibly seeds present
succession happens more rapidly
pioneer species are larger plants
How might the conservation of habitats involve management of succession?
Human activities can prevent succession and stop a climax community forming: plagioclimax
Conservation sometimes involves preventing succession in order to preserve an ecosystem in its current stage of succession
Population
a group of organisms of the same species, living in the same area at the same time
% saturated of haemoglobin with o2 equation
oxygenated haemboin/ maximin saturation x100
changing shape of haemoglobin
Lowe pp of 02
little increase in saturation
02 increases
rapid rise as easier for 02 to bind
curve shifts to right
lower affinity of 02
more o2 un loaded at respire g cells
more respiration