BY5.7 - Energy and Ecosystems Flashcards
What is an abiotic factor? Give an example
Non-living factor
Eg.
Light levels/temperature/pH/turbidity/dissolved Oxygen/availability of nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen) etc.
What is a biotic factor?
Give an example
Living factors
Eg. all living organisms within an ecosystem inc. plants, fungi, mammals etc.
Define population
A group of organisms of the same species living in a particular area
Define community
The different populations living in a particular area
Define niche
An organism’s niche is the place and role that it has within an ecosystem
What would happen if two species within one ecosystem had the same niche?
Interspecific competition - one species would outcompete the other
What is a microhabitat?
A small specialised habitat within a larger habitat
What do primary consumers feed on?
Primary producers eg. Plants
Primary consumers are herbivores
What do secondary consumers feed on?
Primary consumers
i.e Foxes feed on rabbits, rabbits fees on grass
Secondary consumers are carnivores
Define gross primary productivity (GPP)
The rate at which producers make photosynthetic products
Define net primary productivity (NPP)
Production that remains of GPP following respiration. The NPP is the potential food available to primary consumers
Define succession
A change in the composition of the community of organisms in an ecosystem overtime
Define ecosystem
All biotic and abiotic factors in an area
