Ecology Flashcards
habitat
place where an organism lives
population
all the organisms of one species living in a habitat
community
the populations of different species living in a habitat
abiotic factors
non-living factors of the environment
biotic factors
living factors of the environment
ecosystem
the interaction of a community of biotic and abiotic factors
what resources to plants compete for to survive
- light
- space
- water
- mineral ions (nutrients) from the soil
interdependence
all species in a community depends on each other to survive (food, shelter, pollination and seed dispersal)
why can a change in the ecosystem have massive effects
because of the interdependence of all living things and how they all use and need each other to survive and function
food chain
what eats what
what is the stable communities like in a tropical rainforests
all the species and environmental factors in a community are in balance so the population size stays roughly constant
examples of abiotic factors
- moisture level
- light intensity
- temperature
- carbon dioxide levels
- wind intensity and direction
- oxygen levels
- soul pH and mineral content
a change in the environment could be
- an increase or decreases in abiotic factors (increase in temperature)
- introduction of a new biotic factor (new predator or pathogen)
decrease in mineral content or the soil could cause
nutrient deficiencies and affect plant growth, decrease population size
adaptations
organisms or microorganisms change a function and features to better suit living in a different condition
extremophiles
microorganisms that are adapted to live in very extreme conditions
food chains always start with what
a producer
how do producers make their own food
use energy from the Sun
how is energy transferred through living organisms in an ecosystem
when organisms eat other organisms
who are producers eaten by
primary consumers
who are primary consumers eaten by
second consumers
who are secondary consumers eaten by
tertiary consumers
example: producer
dandelions
example: primary consumers
rabbits
example: secondary consumers
fox
quadrat
a square frame enclosed on a area to compare how common an organism is in two areas
how to use quadrants to study the distribution of small organisms
1) place a 1m*2 quadrat on ground at random point in first sample area (field)
2) count all organisms within quadrat
3) repeat steps 1and 2 as many times as possible
4) work out the mean number of organisms per quadrat
5) repeat steps 1-4 in second sample area (under tree in shade)
6) compare the means of the two sample areas
how to use transects to study the distribution of organisms along a line
1) mark out a line with a tape measure in area your studying
2) count all organisms that touch the line
water cycle: stage 1
energy form sun heats water to make water vapour, makes it evaporate
water cycle: step 2
water evaporates from plants (transpiration)
water cycle: step 3
water vapour goes up, cools, condenses, forms clouds
water cycle: step 4
precipitation falls from clouds (rain) onto land
water cycle: step 5
water that’s not absorbed by soil will runoff into rivers or streams
water cycle: step 6
water drains into seas (cycle restarts)
biodiversity
variety of different species of organisms within an ecosystem
why is high biodiversity important
make sure ecosystems are stable because different species all depend on each other for food and some maintain a healthy physical environment
what human actions are reducing biodiversity
- waste production
- deforestation
- global warming
what is currently happening to the population of the world
rising very quickly
why is the population of the world rising quickly
- use of modern medicine (reduce death)
- farming methods (reduce hunger)
- natural increase
effects of increasing demands on the environment
people demand higher standard of living so use more raw materials and energy to manufacture it, taking lots of resources, run out soon
what are the effects of increasing waste
- makes waste chemicals
- if not properly handled, cause harmful pollution
- pollution affects water, land, air and kill plants and animals (reducing biodiversity)
water pollution/waste
- sewage and toxic chemicals from industry pollute lakes, rivers and oceans
- can affect or kill animals and plants
- chemicals used on plants (fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides) wash and contaminate water
land pollution/waste
- toxic chemicals used for farming (pesticides, herbicides)
- we bury nuclear waste underground
air pollution/waste
smoke and acidic gases released into atmosphere pollute the air (sulfur dioxide causes acid rain)
temperature of the Earth is a balance between what
- the energy it gets from Sun
- energy it radiates back out into space
gases in the atmosphere naturally act like what
an insulating layer, absorb most energy radiated out into space and re-radiate it in all directions (back to Earth) increases temperature of planet
consequences of global warming
- high temperatures cause animals to move habitats and sea levels to rise, leads to flooding and loss of habitats
- biodiversity may be reduced if animals go extinct
problems of deforestation
- more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
- less carbon dioxide taken in
- less biodiversity
problems of deforestation (more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere)
- carbon dioxide released when trees burned
- microorganisms feed on dead wood release carbon dioxide a waste product of respiration
problems of deforestation (less carbon dioxide taken in)
- trees store up carbon that they absorb during photosynthesis in their wood
- remove trees, carbon dioxide escapes into atmosphere
problems of deforestation (less biodiversity)
habitats like forests contain huge amounts of biodiversity because of huge number of species, forest cut down biodiversity is reduced, species go extinct
what are bogs
areas of land that are acidic and waterlogged
what are the plants like that live in bogs
- die because not enough oxygen, then don’t fully decay
- rotted plants build up to form peat
in a bog where is the carbon stored in a plant
in the peat instead of being released into the atmosphere
what often happens to peat bogs
- often drained so area can be used for farming
- peat is cut up and dried to use as fuel
- sold to gardens as compost
what is happening with the resource of peat
being used faster than it forms
what happens when peat is drained
comes in contact with air and microorganisms decompose that respire and release carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming
what are the effects of destroying bogs
- contributing to global warming
- destroys habitats so reduces biodiversity
programmes set up by humans to minimise damage to ecosystems and biodiversity
- breeding programmes
- recycle waste
- reduce level of deforestation
- reintroduce hedgerows and field margins around fields on farms
breeding programmes
- made to prevent endangered species become extinct
- bred in captivity (protected) to then be released back into wild to re-establish population
reintroduce hedge grows and field margins in fields
- in fields on farms where only one type of crop is grown
- provide a habitat for variety of organisms
field margins
areas around edges of fields where wild flowers and grasses left to grow
cons of protecting biodiversity
- costs a lot
- may impact local human livelihood
- conflict between protecting biodiversity and our food security
biodiversity: costs a lot
government pay farms a subsidy to reintroduce hedgegrows and field margins
biodiversity: may impact local human livelihood
reduce deforestation reduces jobs makes people unemployed and reduces local economy
biodiversity: conflict between protecting biodiversity and our food security
farmers kill organisms that can be pests to crops, this protects our crops and livestock and produces more food but affects the food chain and biodiversity
what resources do animals compete for to survive
- space (territory)
- food
- water
- mates
Seals are adapted to cope with extreme temperatures because they have a layer of __________. What one word completes the sentence?
fat
What is the main thing plants compete for in poor soil?
nutrients
True or false? The fur of a polar bear is an adaptation to help it survive extreme cold.
true
An extremophile lives in very concentrated brine pools. It is adapted to the extreme condition of high __________ concentration. What word completes the sentence?
salt
An __________ includes all living things and their interactions with the environment. What one word completes the sentence?
ecosystem
There is an extremophile that lives on the edges of hot volcanoes. The extreme condition it is adapted to is high __________. What word completes the sentence?
temperatures
True or false? Within a community, each species is independent when it comes to food, shelter and pollination.
false
Which of the following is NOT an adaptation in elephants that helps them cope with high temperatures?
tusks
Look at the image below. The Arctic fox’s white fur helps it to be an efficient hunter. This is an example of the adaptation called __________.
camouflage
What does the cactus store in its stem that helps it to survive?
water
What is the term for the non-living parts of a community?
abiotic
The spines on a cactus help prevent it from being eaten and from losing what?
water
If there is limited space, what will organisms mainly compete for?
space
If species A is better at competing for a resource than species B, will the numbers of species B increase or decrease?
decrease
The acacia tree is covered in spikes. This is an __________ to protect it from herbivores. What one word completes the sentence?
adaptation
Camouflage helps prey animals to survive. What does it protect them from?
predators
If the available number of mates in an environment increased, would competition increase or decrease?
decrease
What is a feature that helps an organism to survive called?
adaptation
Is disease a biotic or an abiotic factor on a community?
biotic
Apart from territory and mates, name one other thing that animals mainly compete for.
food
If the available space in an environment decreased, would competition increase or decrease?
increase
In order to reproduce sexually, what do animals need to compete for?
mates
If the resources available in an environment were to decrease, would competition increase or decrease?
increase
Is oxygen level a biotic or an abiotic factor for aquatic mammals?
abiotic
The bright colours of the frog are an adaptation against what?
being eaten
In a shady forest, what do plants mainly compete for?
light
The frog is brightly coloured. Because of this, potential predators think it is what?
poisonous
Is temperature a biotic or an abiotic factor on a community?
abiotic
If one species is removed it can impact the whole community. This is called… what?
interdependence
Camouflage helps predators to survive by helping them blend in with their surroundings so their _________ won’t see them approach. What one word completes the sentence?
prey
Tropical rainforests and ancient oak woodlands have population sizes that stay relatively constant. This means that they are… what?
stable communities
If a plant has large dark leaves, it is likely to be adapted to the condition of low __________. What one word completes the sentence?
light
The advantage to organisms of being able to live in extreme conditions is the lack of… what?
competition
True or false: Most organisms can decide to make an adaptation happen for themselves.
false
In a dry desert, what do plants mainly compete for?
water
Polar bears are dependent on ice that covers the sea for hunting seals and moving around. If we were to see a decrease in sea ice, would the numbers of polar bears increase, decrease or stay the same?
decrease
Aside from territory, food and water, what do horns on some male animals help them to compete for?
mates
What is the term for the living parts of an ecosystem?
biotic factors
If species A is better at competing for a resource than species B, will the numbers of species A increase or decrease?
increase
If food available for an organism in an environment were to decrease would competition increase or decrease?
increase
A cactus has spines instead of leaves. What effect does this have on its surface area?
decrease
Some species of seal are dependent on ice that covers the sea in order to give birth to their young. What is likely to happen to the number of these seals if the sea ice decreases? Would it increase, decrease or stay the same?
decrease
The availability of oxygen can affect living organisms. The availability of another gas also affects their distribution. What is this gas called? Give the name, not the formula.
carbon dioxide
The name given to the mass of living material in an organism or population is… what?
biomass
When using quadrats, what should you do to get an accurate estimate of the numbers of an organism?
create a grid and use random numbers to pick on which square of the grid to place your quadrat
Where do most plants get light from?
sun
Environments are sometimes sampled along a straight line. What is such a line called?
transect
What happens to the total biomass available as you move up a food chain? Does it increase, decrease or stay the same?
decreases
What is the missing word in this sentence? The biomass is greatest at the __________ level of a food chain.
bottom
Plants use carbon dioxide for __________. What one word completes the sentence?
photosynthesis
What is the name given to the square frame used for sampling organisms in an environment?
quadrat
What gas is removed from the atmosphere by plants and algae?
carbon dioxide
True or false? Biogas can be produced from animal waste.
true
Compost is used as a natural __________ for crops and garden plants. What word completes the sentence?
fertiliser
An experiment into decay was carried out at three different temperatures: 10°C, 15°C and 20°C. At which temperature would you expect the rate of decay to be fastest?
20
What type of living thing is the main organism involved in decay? (Hint: There is more than one possible answer. Give any one.)
microorganisms
Is biogas produced by aerobic or anaerobic fermentation?
anaerobic
Name the main useful gas in biogas.
methane
What term is used to describe decay that happens in the presence of oxygen?
aerobic
Gardeners and farmers try to provide the optimum conditions for waste organic matter to __________ so they can then use it as compost. What word completes the sentence?
decay
True or false? Decay happens fastest in the absence of oxygen.
false
Microorganisms digest waste material faster in conditions that are aerobic, moist and what else?
warm
Amir carried out an experiment into rates of decay. He used two pots of dead leaves. He added several woodlice to pot 1 and nothing to pot 2. In which of the pots would you expect the leaves to decay fastest?
pot 1
As well as bacteria, what other type of microorganism is often involved in decay?
fungi
What term is used to describe decay that happens when there is no oxygen present?
anaerobic
The natural process by which waste substances are broken down and materials are recycled is known as what?
decay
What is the scientific name for the process in which organic material is broken down by microorganisms?
decay
When animals and plants die, organisms cause the decay of their bodies. Name one of these types of organism.
microorganisms
Rachel has bought two types of tomatoes at the supermarket: fresh tomatoes and tinned tomatoes. Which will last for longer without decaying if kept in their original packaging?
tinned
A piece of steak contains microorganisms. What will happen to their reproduction rate if the steak is placed in a freezer?
it will slow down
Which method of handling waste has fewer negative effects on ecosystems?
recycling
Good levels of biodiversity are essential for which of the following?
stable ecosystem
What term is used for species that are at serious risk of extinction?
endangered
True or false? ‘Biodiversity’ refers to the variety of species on Earth.
true
True or false? Pesticides have a negative effect on biodiversity if they are washed into streams but fertilisers have a positive effect.
false
True or false? A lower level of biodiversity requires fewer interdependencies in a community.
false
What is likely to happen to the size of the habitats of endangered species as the human population increases?
decrease
Some programmes seek to increase biodiversity by protecting rare __________ like coral reefs and mangroves. What word completes the sentence?
habitats
Human activity has __________ biodiversity. Which word completes the sentence?
decreased
In an effort to increase biodiversity, some governments are reducing their deforestation and __________ __________ emissions. What two words complete the sentence?
greenhouse gas
True or false? Tropical rainforests tend to be naturally low in biodiversity.
false
What process carried out by microorganisms in the carbon cycle releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?
respiration
What type of organism present in huge numbers indicates that eutrophication has taken place?
algae
Fill in the missing word. When the carbon dioxide from animal respiration is released it goes into the __________.
atmosphere
What is currently happening to the average standard of living of the global human population?
increasing
Name the pollutant gas that causes acid rain.
sulfur dioxide
If fertiliser is washed from farmland into a pond, what effect will it initially have on plant growth in the pond?
increase
Which of these options provides the best definition of the term “standard of living”?
level of material comfort that is available to meet our needs. This includes goods, services and luxuries.
Apart from microorganisms, what other organisms use the nutrients released by decay?
plants
In what state is carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
gas
What type of organisms are herbicides intended to kill?
weeds
If fertiliser is washed from farmland into a pond, what effect will it have on oxygen levels in the pond in the long term?
decrease
What name is given to chemicals used to kill insect pests?
pesticides
What is currently happening to the size of the world’s human population?
increasing
During photosynthesis, what does carbon dioxide react with to make carbohydrate?
water
True or false? The effects of acid rain may be seen thousands of miles away from the industry that caused it.
true
Carbon gets transferred from plants to animals when the plants are __________ by animals. What one word completes the sentence.
eaten
As well as oxygen levels and rainfall, what other non-living indicator can give a good indication of changes in the environment?
temperature
In the water cycle what is the name given to the process of water falling from clouds?
rain
Is the human population of the Earth increasing or decreasing?
increasing
What is currently happening to the amount of waste produced by the world’s human population?
increasing
Name a process that releases water from plants back into the atmosphere.
transpiration
What is the constant cycling of carbon between living organisms and their environment called?
carbon cycle
Sewage was accidentally released into a river. What would you expect to happen to the oxygen levels in the water?
decrease
Apart from dead organisms, what process returns carbon from living animals to the cycle?
respiration
