B1 Flashcards
Ecotones and Edge
Transitional area between ecosystems (organisms from both ecosystems can interact)
Edges= More biodiversity (Greater biodiversity=More stable)
Artificial vs Natural Ecosystems
Artificial- Requires human assistance
Natural- Self sustaining
Ecological Niche
Organisms role in ecosystem
Includes: Place in food web, habitat, breeding area, time most active
Owls and Hawks feed on similar organisms but occupy different niches so they don’t compete for resources (time active)
Terrestrial Niche
How organisms interact with eachother
Invasive Species (How they arrive and effect)
New species that causes harm
Starts competing for a niche with 1 or more species
Arrives by: Human introduction, new routes, natural movement, seed dispersal
Effect- Species depletion, extinction, habitat loss (No population controls) because native species may not be able to compete or prey lack defence mechanism
Biome
Geographical region with specific climate and organisms
Abiotic Factors of an Aquatic Ecosystem (9)
Temp, sunlight, dissolved O2 (cold water can hold more O2), clarity, dissolved nutrients, salinity, pH, still vs flowing, depth
Lake Ecosystem Zones
Littoral- Area from shore to where no more plants grow (high productivity, biodiversity and oxygen)
Limnetic- Open water & light can penetrate for photosynthesis to occur (high productivity and high oxygen)
Profundal- Beneath limnetic zone where there’s not enough light to for photosynthesis (low oxygen and productivity)
Benthic- Involves sediments and sea floor
Seasonal Variation
Summer- Warmest water on top
Fall- Turnover
Winter- Water at 0° is at top (ice) and warmer water is below
Spring- Turnover
Eutrophic Lake
High in nutrients and photosynthesis, murky water, O2 poor
Benthic invertebrate biomass is high
Shallow bottom reduced total water volume and increases heating in the summer
Oligotrophic Lake
Low in nutrients and photosynthesis, clear water, O2 rich
Steep shoreline and deep bottom decreases heat in the summer
Abiotic Factors of a Terrestrial Ecosystem (7)
Depth of soil, nutrients, light, seasonal change, temp, water availability (precipitation + drainage), wind
Soil Layers
Litter- Upper layer (Grass and decomposed leaves)
Topsoil- Beneath litter (rocks, decaying matter, humus=nutrient rich)
Subsoil- Beneath topsoil (rocks and organic matter)
Bedrock- Layer of rock that marks edge of soil
Water Boundary
Boundary between soil and groundwater (water in soil) that is unsaturated with water
Species: Area Ratio Signicance
Higher Area= More species
