Ecological Terminology Flashcards
What is taxonomy?
The science of grouping organisms according to similarities in their features
What is a taxonomic group called?
A Taxon
What is the problem with taxonomy?
The grouping is subjective and opinions can change as new information arises
What is an example of an animal that is now considered two different species?
African bush elephant
African forest elephant
What is a species?
A groups of closely related organisms that resemble each other more than members of other groups
What do a species create?
A reproductively isolated group that naturally breed to produce fertile offspring
What prevents most species from producing fertile offspring with other species?
Differences in behaviour would prevent any attempts to mate
Anatomical differences making mating impossible
Differences in number and shape of chromosomes may make fertilisation or cell division impossible
Why Are some different species able to produce offspring?
Very closely related species may be biologically capable or producing offspring but do not naturally do so
What would make different species that can produce offspring mate?
When they are in captivity they are no longer isolated form each other and the mating behavioural patterns breakdown they may produce fertile offspring
How are species named?
Species are given Latin names which are used by ecologists in all countries to avoid confusion
What does the first part f the species name relate to?
To the genus- a group of the most closely related species
What is a genus?
A groups of the most closely related species
What does the second part of the animal name relate to?
Added to identify the individual species within the genus
What is evolution?
The processes that changes the gene pool of a species sometimes separating gene pools which eventually become two or more species
What is evolution driven by?
The increased chance of survival produced by being better adapted to the local conditions than other members of the species
How do survival advantages change?
They change by area as different survival factors may be in place
How can species become separated by each other?
They are reproductively separated Behavioural or geographical isolation meaning they still similar genetically
What is a habitat?
An area or location where a species or community of species live
What are some examples of habitats?
Moles live in the soil
Blue tits live in the foliage of woodland
Stag beetles live in the trunks of oak trees
What is an ecological niche?
The role a species plays in its habitat
The way it uses environmental resources
Relationship to other species (pollination/ seed dispersal)
How are niches met in habitats?
Only one species can occupy a niche in a habitat if to animals occupy that niche the better adapted will survive and the weaker will be outcompeted and would die out
What is a population?
All the individuals of a single species that live in a particular area
What is a community of species?
All the members of all the species that Are in an area
What is an example of a community of species?
All the species of plant, bacteria, fungi, Protista, archaea and animals
What is an ecosystem?
The combination of biotic and abiotic features of an area, including the community of species, their inter-relations with each other and the physical environment (energy, water, nutrients)
What are some examples of ecosystems?
Tropical rainforest
Estuary
Savannah grassland
Coral reef
What is a biome?
A large geographical region with specific climatic conditions within which a characteristic community of species live all the area where the community is found
What are some examples of biomes?
Tropical rainforests
Mangroves
Savannah grasslands
Tundra
What affects the distribution of biomes?
Controlled by climatic factors
-temperature
-light levels
-water availability
-seasonal fluctuations
What is he main difference between ecosystems and biomes?
A biome is all tropical rainforests while an ecosystem would be the amazon rainforest
What is the biosphere?
All of the planet earth that is inhabited by living organisms including the land, surface,soil, water and atmosphere
