B16 Flashcards
What is an ecosystem?
It is made up of a community of organisms interacting with the non-living or abiotic elements of their environment.
What is interdependence?
Where other species require materials from their surroundings and other living organisms to survive and reproduce. Within a community different animals may eat plants, pollinate plants, eat other animals. use plants to build shelters etc.
What is a stable community?
It is where the species of living organisms may be in balance with constant numbers.
What are 7 abiotic factors affecting communities?
Light intensity, temperature, moisture, soil pH, wind intensity, carbon dioxide levels and the availability of oxygen for aquatic animals.
What are biotic factors affecting communities?
Availability of food, new pathogens or parasites, new predators arriving and interspecific competition.
How can the distribution and abundance of a species in an ecosystem be determined?
This can be done through using transects or quadrats. Take sample sizes at random areas and use means. Transects are not random by are done when you suspect a change linked to an abiotic factor.
What do animals compete for?
Food, territory and mates
What makes a successful competitor?
One that is adapted to be better at finding food or a mate than its own species. They could also avoid competition.
What do plants compete over?
They compete over light, water, nutrients and space to grow.
What are adaptations?
They are features that make it possible for animals and plants to survive in their habitat even when conditions are extreme.
What are extremophiles?
They have adaptations that enable them to live in environments with extreme conditions of temperature salt or pressure.
