Ecology Flashcards
What is a biosphere
Biosphere is the parts of the earth where life exists
What are ecosystems
Natural system which living and non living organisms interact
What is a community
an interacting group of various species in a common location
What is a population
a group of organisms of a single species that can interbreed and live in the same time in the same environment.
Abiotic
Non-living factors that impact the ecosystem
Biotic
Living factors of an ecosystem
Ecology
Study of the relations of the organisms to one another and to their environments
Herbivore
Only eats plants
Omnivore
Eats both plants and meat
Carnivore
Only eats meat
Decomposed/Detritivores
Eats dead organic matter
Detritus
Remains / waste matter of dead organisms
What’s do decomposes do for the ecosystem
They produce nutrients needed for growth and repair
Food chain definition
Sequence of feeding relationships describing which organisms eat eachother
What will weaker members of a species do when food is scarce
-They leave to find food
-Also more susceptible to disease
- targeted by predators and parasites
-forced to live in dangerous areas
-their young exposed to danger
What does competition between communities do for the environment
-diff species compete for food / shelter
-competition balance ecosystem
Host
Plant or animal in which a parasite lives
Habitat
Places where organisms live, eat and reproduce
What is symbiosis
2 organisms that live together temporarily or permanently, at least one organism must benefit
What are the three types of symbiosis
Mutualism;Commensalism;Parasitism
Mutualism definition
Both organisms benefit eg ox pecker+ox Anenome + Clownfish
Commensalism definition
One organism benefits other is unaffected eg Cattle + Egrets Remora + Shark (Remora not cleaner fish)
Parasitism definition
One organism benefits the other is harmed eg Tick, Acacia + Ants
What are structural adaptations
The way something is made
What are Behavioural Adaptations
The way something acts naturally or by instinct
List at least 3 examples of structural adaptations
-Leaves & stems absorb energy from sun
-Roots soak up water + nutrients from soil
-sweet fruits to spread seeds
List 3 examples of behavioural adaptations
-Plants learning to grow towards sun
-desert flowers stay dormant for months only to come to life when it rains
-vines climb up trees to catch sunlight
What is a biome
Where specific abiotic factors allows certain biotic factors to survive
What are some structural desert adaptations in plants (3)
-small leaves to conserve water
-waxy leaves
-stomata on underside
what are some behavioural adaptations of plants in deserts
-dormant phases to survive droughts
-roots near surface to soak up max water b4 evaporation
What are plant adaptations in grasslands
-deep roots to stop being burnt by fires
-dark flowers to absorb max sunlight
-fuzzy stems for wind protection
Tundra adaptations of plants
-small plants, close to ground to keep warmth
-dark plants to absorb heat
- fuzzy stems for wind protection
Plant adaptations in Rainforest
-smooth, slippery bark to stop vines from killing trees
-slide shaped leaves to make water run off and stop fungi
-deep roots to not be washed away
-brightly coloured flowers to attract more insects than others
Temperate forest plant adaptations
-thick bark to conserve nutrients
-drop leaves in winter to conserve water
Plant water adaptations
-Flexible stem to move w water currents
-floating seeds to spread offspring
- Air pockets to make stems + leaves float
Parasitic plant adaptations
-Roots can take nutrients from other plants
-don’t need soil
Carnivorous plant adaptations
-nutrients taken by eating other organisms (insects)
-since they eat bugs they can survive in bad soil
Definition of Biodiversity
Variety of animals and plants in an ecosystem
What are the three types of biodiversity
-Diversity in ecosystems
-Diversity of Species
-Diversity of Genes
Tropic level definition
The position of an organism in a food chain
What happens if one tropic levels dies
Interrupts food chain , balance of nature therefor destruction rains
What 2 things do a complex ecosystem have
-several tropic levels
-loss of one or more species = not many problems
What causes large changes in an ecosystem
Loss or addition of certain species
What does Niche mean
The role of an organism
What are the 2 benefits to biodiversity
Consumption Values
Non-Consumption Value
What are 5 consumption values of Biodiversity
Food & drink
Fuel
Medicine
Better crop varieties
Industrial materials
What are 3 non-consumption values of Biodiversity
Recreation (tourism)
Education&research
Traditional values
What are the 2 types of threats to biodiversity
Natural Causes
Man-Made causes
What are natural threats to biodiversity (2)
Tornadoes
Floods
What are man made threats to biodiversity
Exotic species
Pollution
Hunting
Agriculture
Habitatil Destruction
