Chapters 1-3 Flashcards
Dynamic Equilibrium
A system where changes occur but the components of that system have the ability t respond to those changes without disturbing the system - humans affect the equilibrium
The biosphere
Where earth is found on earth- lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
Indicator species
Sensitive to environmental changes- Frogs are idicator species because they are sensitive and have two forms and are apart of two food chains
Biodiversity
An ecosystem with a large variety of populations is diverse
Why are frogs dissapearing?
Loss of habitat (wetlands), Air and water quality ( pollution and acid rain) Climate change, UV radiation and increased tempuratures
Producer
Convert energy from the sun or chemicals into food
Consumer
Eat what is made by the producer
Primary consumer
Relies on an autotroph for its source of energy and is relied on by a secondary consumer (herbivores) - On the 2nd trophic level
Secondary consumer
Relies on the primary consumer for food source and is relied on by the tertiary consumers (carnivores) - on the third trophic levle
What comes next after secondary consumers?
Tertiary, quaternary, apex
Autotrophs
Make their own food ( producers)
Heterotroph
Rely on food from other sources
Food webs
Interconnected food chains - stable ecosystems have complex food webs
Chemoautotrophs
create food with the use of chemicals
What percentage of energy gets passed on from one trophic level to another trophic level?
Only 10%
What types of pyramids are used for energy levels?
Pyramid of numbers, Pyramid of Biomass, Pyramid of energy
Water Cycle
Describes the cycling of water through evaporation or transpiration and or precipitation
Carbon cycle
Describes the flow of carbon from the atmosphere (CO2) into an ecosystem by photosynthesis, and back to the atmosphere through cellular respiration
Nitrogen cycle
Requires nitrogen gas to be converted into nitrates, the usable form for nitrogen for living organisms
Phosphorous cycle
Has two parts- Longer term: Phosphorou in the earths crust Short term: Living organisms
What affects the speed at which nutrients are recycled through an ecosystem?
OXygen levels, tempurature, BIodiversity and water.
