Adaptations, interdependence and competition Flashcards
State the levels of organisation in an ecosystem
Individual, population, community, ecosystem.
What is an ecosystem?
The interaction between the living components and non-living components.
State the factors that plants may compete for
- Light.
- Space.
- Water.
- Mineral ions from the soil.
State the factors that animals may compete for
- Food.
- Mates.
- Territory.
What is intraspecific competition?
Competition within a species.
What is interspecific competition?
Competition between different species.
What is interdependence?
Different species in an ecosystem depend on each other for various resources. If one species is removed, the whole community may be affected.
What is stable community?
A community is which all the biotic factors and all the abiotic factors are balanced so that population sizes remain relatively constant.
What are abiotic factors?
Non-living factors.
State the abiotic factors that may affect an ecosystem
- Light intensity.
- Temperature.
- Moisture.
- Soil pH and mineral content.
- Wind intensity and direction.
- Carbon dioxide level.
- Oxygen level.
Why might light intensity affect an ecosystem?
Different species of plants may have different optimum light intensities for growth.
Why does temperature affect an ecosystem?
Different species of plants and animals may have different optimum temperatures for growth and survival.
How does soil pH affect an ecosystem?
Certain plants may grow better in either alkaline or acidic soil.
Soil pH may affect the appearance of the plant such as color of hydrangea.
How does moisture level affect an ecosystem?
Many plants cannot survive in waterlogged soil as their roots cannot respire.
Certain plants are adapted to high moisture levels.
how does wind intensity affect an ecosystem?
Plant-seeds are more likely to germinate in locations with lower wind intensity, which may also attract animals that depend on the plant to live nearby.
