Ecology

Question 1

What is Ecology

Answer 1

Ecology is the study of the
interactions between living
organisms and their biotic and
abiotic environments.

Question 2

What is an Ecosystem

Answer 2

An ecosystem is a relatively self-contained
system including all the living organisms
and the environment, interacting with each
other.

An ecosystem is dynamic- changes happen
all the time as interactions take place.

Question 3

Define Biotic Factors and give examples

Answer 3

Biotic Factors involve living
organisms

Feeding

Predation

Parasitism- one organism ( the parasite) lives in close
association with an organism of a different species (the host)
and does it harm. E.g. isopods/sealice, found on fish skin

Mutualism- two organisms of different species live in close
association, both benefiting from the relationship. E.g
zooxanthellae and coral corals

Competition- two organisms both require something that is in
short supply. E.g. corals compete for invertebrate food and
sunglight.

Question 4

Define Abiotic factors and give examples

Answer 4

Abiotic factors- non-living
components

Temperature

Light intensity

Oxygen concentration

Carbon dioxide concentration

Water supply

pH

Question 5

What is Biodiversity?

Answer 5

The number and variety of organisms
found within a specified geographic
region.

Question 6

Biodiversity is measured by?

Answer 6

Richness (the numbers of the different
types)

Relative Abundance (the evenness with
which the individuals are spread out among the
species in a community; the relative numbers
of each individual in the community

Question 7

List and describe the types of bio-diversity

Answer 7

Species Diversity (richness)- This is the number of different
species in an area.

Genetic diversity- this is the variation within a specie that
can be inherited.

Ecosystem diversity- the number of ecosystems in an area

Question 8

What is Conservation?

Answer 8

This is the protection of species, habitats and
ecosystems in order to maintain biodiversity.

Question 9

Explain the two types of consevation

Answer 9

in situ - Conservation measures that are applied at the site
in which a threatened organism lives

ex situ conservation focuses on
maintaining or increasing the numbers of an
endangered species in a place other than its
natural habitat.

Question 10

List atleast 3 Reasons why Biodiversity is important

Answer 10

• Protects freshwater resources
• Maintains food chain in nature
• Sustainability and growth
• Speedy recovery from natural disasters
• Provision of natural resources
• Genetic diversity
• Promote soil formation and protection
• Adaptation to different habitats
• Provision of food security

Question 11

What is an Endemic Specie?

Answer 11

A specie that is only found in a particular region

Question 12

What is an Endangered Specie

Answer 12

A specie that has so few living members that it is in danger of dying out if there is no intervention