B15 - Ecology Flashcards
Habitats
The part of an ecosystem where organisms live
Species
A group of organisms can breed together to produce fertile offspring
Population
Organisms of the same species living in the same habitat
Community
All of the organisms living in the same habitats
Competition
The fact that species often have to compete for resources
Interdependent
Organisms rely on each other and impact each other
Biotic Factors
The living parts of an ecosystem such as the fauna and flora (animals and plants)
Abiotic Factors
The non-living parts of an ecosystem such as rock,soil,water and atmosphere
Examples of Abiotic Factors
.Light intensity .Temperature .Moisture Levels .Soil PH .Wind Intensity .Availability of Oxygen .Availability of Carbon
Examples of Biotic factors
. Food availability
. New pathogens/parasites
. New predators
. Interspecific Competition
How does temperature impact communities
- Low artic temperatures mean plants are very small
- Affects the species that can survive (herbivore and carnivore).
- Limit photosynthesis and therefore growth of plants
How does light intensity impact communities
. Breeding cycles of animals linked to day length and light
• Limit photosynthesis and therefore growth of plants
How does soil PH impact communities
• Distribution or plants
. Carnivorous plants thrive where nitrate levels are very low
• Most plants struggle to survive in areas of low mineral ions
. Low ph levels inhibits decay
How does wind intensity impact communities
. Areas of strong prevailing winds the shape of the trees and the whole landscape is affected by the wind
. Plants transpire fast
How does oxygen impact communities
. Some invertebrates can survive in water with low oxygen levels
. Most fish need a high level dissolved oxygen
. Proportion varies in air
How does carbon dioxide impact communities
. Limits photosynthesis and plant growth
. Distribution of organisms, mosquitos are out attracted to their food animals by high carbon dioxide levels
How does food availability impact communities
When there is lots of food, the levels of breeding are increased
How do new pathogens and parasites impact communities
. Organisms have no resistance to the disease
. A new pathogen can also damage and even wipe out populations or even a community.
How do new predators impact communities
. Organisms that have no defences against new predators may quickly be wiped out
How do moisture levels impact communities
- If there is little water, there may be no life
- Plants are relatively low is deserts
- After it rains plants may grow while the water is available
- They are then eaten by many animals.
How does interspecific competiton impact communities
• New species may outcompete another to the point where numbers become too low to survive through breeding
What resources do plants compete for ?
. Light for photosynthesis, to make food
. Water for photosynthesis and for keeping their tissues rigid and supported
. Nutrients (minerals) from the soil , to make all the chemicals they need in their cells
. Space to grow, allowing their roots to take in water and nutrients and their leaves to capture light
What resources do animals compete for?
Animals compete for many things including:
. Food
. Territory
. Mates
What is a structural adaption?
Features that are related to physical structures-shape, colour
etc.
What is a behavioural adaptation?
Features related to short/ long term behaviours, eg. migration
, basking and tool use.
What is a functional adaption?
Features related to processes,
usually internal/cellular processes.
What are extremophiles?
Organisms that have adapted to live in extreme environmemts
. Temperature
. PH
. Salinity
