Ecology Flashcards
Define biosphere
The part of the earth where life occurs
Define atmosphere
The layers of gas covering the earth
Define lithosphere
All the minirals and rocks found within the crust and upper mantle
Define hydrosphere
all the water on the surface of earth
Define biome
An area with a spesific climate including all the animals that live within it
Define terrestrial
A type of biome found on land
Define aquatic
A type of biome found under water
Define ecology
The study of ecosystems
Define ecologists
A person who study ecology
Define biotic factors
All living organisms in an ecosystem
Define abiotic factors
All non living components of an ecosystem
Define habitat
The area an organism usually lives in
Define niche
The role filled by an organism
Community
A group of populations interacting
Define population
A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time
Define species
Organisms of the same type that are able to interbread freely and produce fertile offspring
Describe a protea
Evergreen, large nectar rich cone-like head
Describe a restio
Wiry, reedlike
Describe a erica
Small, Evergreen, small needle like leaves, small brightly-colored flower
Name a promenant feature of geophytes
Underground storage organs
Define ecosystem
Biotic and abiotic factors interacting
Describe the climate of a fynbos biome
Windy, hot dry summers. Stormy cold wet winters
Name some characteristics of a fynbos biome
Nutrient poor soil, has protea Erica restio and geophytes
Describe how fires relate to the fynbos
They occur every 10 to 20 years. Plants are able to survive fires and use them to reproduce
