Biosphere

Question 1

what is the biosphere?

Answer 1

The biosphere consists of the parts of the planet in which all life exists.
Ecologists may study different levels of ecological organization:

Question 2

different levels of ecological organization:

Answer 2

Individual organism

An assemblage of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area is called a population.

An assemblage of different populations that live together in an area is referred to as a community.

Question 3

ecosystem:

Answer 3

An ecosystem includes all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their physical environment.
A biotic factor is any living organism that lives in and affects an ecosystem.
An abiotic factor is any nonliving part of an environment that affect the functioning of the ecosystem.

Question 4

Biomes:

Answer 4

A group of ecosystems that have similar climates and organisms is called a biome.
Examples
Tropical Rain Forest
Desert
Boreal Forest
Temperate Forest (we live here)

Question 5

Primary Producers?

Answer 5

Sunlight is the main energy source for life on Earth

Question 6

Primary Producers again

Answer 6

Organisms that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use that energy to produce food are called autotrophs, or primary producers.

Question 7

primary producers (more about)

Answer 7

The process in which autotrophs capture light energy and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and sugars is called photosynthesis.

Question 8

Autotrophs

Answer 8

Autotrophs that get their energy from inorganic substances, such as salts or sulphur compounds
Live deep down in the ocean where there is no sunlight
E.g. Bacteria and Deep Sea Worms

Question 9

Consumers = Heterotrophs

Answer 9

Organisms that do not make their own food

Another term for Heterotroph is consumer because they consume other organisms in order to live

E.g. Rabbits, Deer, Mushrooms

Question 10

Detritivores

Answer 10

feed on the tissue (detritus) of dead organisms (plant or animal)
Shrimp, earthworms, dust mites

Question 11

Decomposers

Answer 11

absorb any dead material and break it down into simple nutrients or fertilizers
Ex. – Bacteria and Mushrooms

Question 12

10% law

Answer 12

Only 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next – this is called the 10% law

Question 13

Energy moves from one organisms to another when it is eaten

Answer 13

Each step in this transfer of energy is know as a trophic level
The main trophic levels are producers, consumers, and decomposers

Question 14

Food Chains

Answer 14

The energy flow from one trophic level to the other is know as a food chain

Question 15

Food Web

Answer 15

Most organisms eat more the JUST one organism
When more organisms are involved it is know as a FOOD WEB

Question 16

Ecological Pyramid

Answer 16

Shows the relationship between consumers and producers at different trophic levels in an ecosystem

Question 17

ESA

Answer 17

Development is not allowed within the area

The Area has a high biodiversity
The Area contains high quality natural landform-vegetation communities that are representative of typical pre-settlement conditions
The Area, due to its large size, provides habitat for species intolerant of disturbance or for species that require extensive blocks of suitable habitat (e.g. Woodland > 4 ha.)
The Area, due to its hydrologic characteristics, contributes significantly to the healthy maintenance (quality or quantity) of a natural system beyond its boundaries.