Ecology Flashcards
What is the difference between a population, community and ecosystem
Population - the total number of all the organisms of the same species that live in a particular geographical location
Community - two or more populations of organisms that live at the same time in the same geographical location
Ecosystem - the interaction of a community of living organisms with the non living parts of their environment
What are the abiotic factors that affect the abundance and distribution of organisms
Light intensity
Temperature
Moisture level
Soil pH content
Soil mineral content
Wind intensity and direction
Carbon dioxide levels (plants)
Oxygen levels (aquatic animals)
What are the biotic factors that affect the abundance and distribution of organisms
Availability of food
New predators
New pathogens
Out-competition
What is the difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition
Interspecific - competition between different species in a community
Intraspecific - competition between organisms of the same species
What do plants and animals compete for
Plants:
Light
Water and minerals from soil
Space
Animals:
Food
Mates
Territory
What are the structural, behavioural and physiological adaptations in plants
Structural:
Spines - roses stop being eaten by grazing animals
Shallow roots - absorbs more water
Large leaves - maximise photosynthesis
Flowers - attract insects to pollinate
Behavioural:
Shoots grow quickly toward light - maximise photosynthesis
Plant roots grow towards water - maximise photosynthesis
Physiological:
Defence - poison
What are the structural, behavioural and physiological adaptations in animals
Structural:
Sharp claws - catch prey
Dig burrows - signal territory
Eyes on side - easily spot predators
Eyes in front - Judge distance of prey
Behavioural:
Mating rituals - male peacock shows feathers to attract
Working together - wolves hunt prey in packs
Use tools - crocodiles use twigs to lure birds
Physiological:
Defence and kill - venom
What is an extremophile
An organism that lives in extreme conditions
What are the levels of organisation
Producer:
At the base of every food chain
Usually plants or algae which photosynthesis
Consumer:
Primary - eats the producer (prey)
Secondary - eats the primary (prey)
The top animal in the feeding relationship is called the apex predator
Decomposer:
Bacteria and fungi
Breaks down dead organisms by decomposing or rotting
What are some animals which are extremophiles and how have they adapted
Polar bears:
Thick white fur - insulation and camouflage
Acute sense of smell and sight - hunt prey
Small surface area : volume ratio - minimise heat loss
Thick layer of fat - keep warm
Emperor penguin:
Use feet - insulate egg
What are quadrats and what can they be used to find
A square frame used for sampling the abundance and distribution of slow or non-moving organisms
Number of individuals of a species
Species richness
Percentage cover
What is the difference between random and systematic sampling
Random - placing the quadrat at random coordinates
Systematic - placing a quadrat in an ordered and regular way
How to use random sampling to find a sample of a place
Choose a starting point
Use a random number generator to generate coordinates for the quadrat
Record the necessary data
Return to the starting point and repeat for a couple more times
How to use systematic sampling to find a sample of a place
Create a transect connecting the two places
Place the quadrats with an equal distance from each other
Record the necessary data
See carbon cycle flashcard
See carbon cycle flashcard
See water cycle flashcard
See water cycle flashcard
How has waste management affected population growth
Continues to rise
Farm machinery and fertilisers increased food supplies
Improved health care causes less people to die from disease
How has waste management affected water pollution
Pathogens may be from sewage contamination
Underground sewage systems and treatments which reduces risk - prevents sewage getting into rivers and streams
How has waste management affected chemical pollution
Organic chemicals, e.g. pesticides and waste from factories and industries
Eutrophication
How has waste management affected oil spills
Chemicals concentrate up tropic levels
Poisons organisms
Affects waterproofing of bird feathers
How has waste management affected air pollution
Smog - fog as a result of smoke or other polluting gases
Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen dissolve in water vapour to form acid rain
Carbon monoxide and dioxide
CFCs react with the ozone layer which creates a hole
How has waste management affected land pollution
Toxins are released which pollutes the environment
Incinerators can be used to generate electricity but release waste gas
Why is deforestation a problem
Trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen by photosynthesis (locked up as biomass) - reduces carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Slash and burn clearance increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which leads to global warming - leads to a reduction in biodiversity, extinction of species and potential medicines and cures may be lost
The water cycle is affected - less transpiration which results in a drier climate. Less moisture means its more likely to suffer erosion and landslides
How is biodiversity maintained
Breeding programmes to help preserve endangered species
Protection and development of new endangered habitats, often by making National Parks
Replanting hedgerows because there is higher biodiversity in them than the fields they surround
Reducing deforestation and the release of greenhouse gases
Recycling rather than dumping waste in landfill sites
