Ecology Flashcards
Ecology
Study of relationships between living organisms and their environment
Ecosystem
Group of organisms that interact with each other and their physical environment
Biosphere
Part of planet where life can exist
Habitat
Physical place where organisms live
Species
Group of organisms that can reproduce with each other to produce fertile offspring
Population
(Number of) all the organisms of the same species living in the same area
community
all the different organisms living in an area
Flora
Plants in an ecosystem
Fauna
Animals in an ecosystem
Abiotic factors
Non-living factors (that influence population in an ecosystem)
Biotic factors
Living factors (That affect population in an ecosystem )
Edaphic factors
Factors relating to the soil
Climatic factors
Weather factors over a long period of time
Name three examples of abiotic factors
Temperature, light intensity, Ph
Name three examples of Biotic factors
Prey, predators, parasites
Name three examples of edaphic factors
Soil Ph, soil type, soil temperature
Name three examples of climatic factors
Temperature, wind, light intensity
Niche
Role of an organism in the ecosystem
Why cannot two species who occupy the same niche live together
They will be competing for limited resources
What is competition
When organisms fight for limited resources
Name and briefly explain two aquatic factors
Light penetration (plankton grown best in upper surface)
Currents move Organisms (Need for attachment)
producers
organisms that make their own food by photosynthesis
consumers
cannot make their own food, they obtain their food from another living organism
autotroph
organism that can make its own food
heterotroph
organism that cannot make its own food, obtains food from another souce
parasite
living organism that lives and feeds of a live host of a different species, causing harm to the host
Ectoparasite
parasite that lives on the surface of a living host, causing harm to the host
Name an example of an ecto parasite
fleas
Endoparasite
patasite that lives inside a host, casuing harm to the host
name example of an endoparasite
tapeworm
saprophyte
an organism that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter, resturning essential nutrients to the soil
Herbivore
an organism that feeds on plants only
omnivores
feeds on plants and animals
Carnivore
organisms that feeds on meat only
Decomposers
organism that breaks down dead organic matter and returns essential nutrients to the soil
detritus feeders
feed on small parts of dead and decomposing organic matter. they begin the process of decomposition.
name examples of detritus feeders
earthworms and woodlice are detritus feeders
Food chain
shows how energy stored in food passes on from organism to organism whie feeding
trophic level
the feeding position of an organism in a food chain
what is a grazing food chain
a food chain that begins with a producer
name an example of a grazing gassland food chain and state the role of each organism
Buttercup (Primary producer) → snail (primary consumer) → Thrush (Secondary consumer)→ Fox (teritary/Top comsumer)
What is a detritus food chain
a food chain that begins with dead organic matter
Name an example od a detritus food chain and state the role of each member
Fallen Leaves → earthworms (primary consumer) →Blackbirds(secondary comsumer) →Hawks (Top/ tertiary consumer)
How can one organism be both a primary and secondary consumer?
it is an onmivore
Food web
contains inter-linked food chains
what is the primary source of energy flow
sun
what affects the lenght of a food chain
only 10%/ small amount of energy is passed on from one trphic level to the next. 90% of energy is lost as heat. This limits the lenght of a food chain.
what is a pyramid of numbers
reperesents the number of organisms at each feeding level in a food chain
Name the general rule for food chains
the size of an organism increases as you move up a food chain (typically)
The number of organisms at each trophic level decreases as you move up the food chain.
Limitations of pyramid of numbers
they do not take into account the size of the individual organisms
It is diffficult to draw them to scale
Why might an organism still not survive when introduced into a vacent niche?
it way not be able to adapt to a new habitat
In ecology, suggest how the intrduction of an exotic species may inpact negatively on a community
may increase the level of competition with the native species or more predation
In ecology, suggest how thr introduction of an exotic species may impact postively on a community
may provide an extra food source of the native specied or procide shelter of control of nuisance species
what is nutrient recycling
nutrient recycling allows element like carbon and nitrogen to be exchanged bewetween living and non living part of an ecosystem.It allows nutrients to be reused
what is the function of the carbon cycle
so carbon can be converted to carbon in living things eg carbohydrates, proteins and lipids
Describe the carbon cycle breifly
Carbon dioxide taken out the atomsphere via Photosynthesis to form Plant carbohydrate. Plant carbohydrate eaten by Animal carbohydrate Both plant and animal carbohydrate respirate to release CO2 back into atomsphere. Animal and plant carbohydrate go through death and decompostion to for dead organic matter . This is broken down by Decomposers who respirate to return CO2 into atomsphere.
dead organic matter over time can be combusted to return co2 into the atomsphere
What are some of the reasons of increasing CO2 in the atomsphere
deforestation
burning of fossil fuels
what does increasing CO2 cause in the atomsphere
glaciers melting resulting in rising sea levels
ecosystems change
more exteme weather patterns
methods in which to reduce the amount of Co2 released into the atomsphere
burn lass fossil fuels
use clean energy
plant more trees
what is the purpose of the nitrogen cycle
converts nitrogen gas into a form plants can use
what do plants and animals use nitrogen from the nitrogen cycle for
formation of protein, nucleic acid (DNA, RNA)
Decribe the events of the nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen gas is converted into nitrates by nitrogen fixing bacteria in root nodules (present in legums ed cloves) which is known as nitrogen fixation. (Lightning also carries out this process)
* The nitrate in the soil is now absorbed by roots of plants (by active transport) to
form plant protein.
* Plants are eaten by animals.
* Animals and plants die and decompose as a result of decomposing bacteria and fungi which ammonia into the soil.
* Nitrifying bacteria in the soil now convert ammonia into nitrites and then nitrates which is known as nitrification.
* Some of these nitrates are again absorbed by plants. The other nitrates are converted back into nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria in a process known as denitrification.
what is another name for nitrogen fixing bacteria and where on the plant do they live. Name a example of a plant that contain these structures and name the family that they belong in
symbiotic bacteria
root nodules
clover plant
legumes
name the types of bateria involved in the nitrogen cycle
nitrogen fixing bacteria
decomposing bacteria
nitrifying bacteria
denitrifying bacteria
why is it beneficial for farms to spread fetilisers containign nirtogen to the soil
fertilisers contain nitrates
two reasults of spreading fetilizers on soil
increased crop yeild
eutrophication
similarties between the carbon and nitrogen cycle
bacteria involved in both cycles
Decomposition/decay of plants and animals in both
Nutrition involved in both
pollution
any harmful addition to the enviorment
pollutants
substances that cause pollution
name sources of pollution
farm wastes
transport fumes
electricity generation
Name a pollutant and its effect on the enviorment
Slurry
1.slurry enters rivers or lakes during heavy rainfall which causes alge to grow
2.When algae die and breakdown,oxygen is adsorbed, oxygen levels fall in water
3.Water plants + animals die due to lack of oxygen
what is the addition of nutrients to the water called
eutrophication
Name the conservation methods for eutrophication
slurry should be stored in leak proof pits
animal waste should be spread on dry land
conservation
the wise management of habitats/ecosystem to prevent extinction
name the benefits of conservation
prevents extinction of organisms
maintains biodiversity
organisms maybe useful in the future
what is the purpose of nature reserves and zoos
to prevent extinction and protect other animals
name problems in fisheries and name methods of conservtion for these problems
Overfishing - Impose fishing quotas to ensure only a certain amount of fish is caught
Use of small size fishing nets - Fishing with larger size fising nets
Name three problems with waste disposal
waste in landfills are unsightly and smell (attract rodents)
Nutrients released from waste slurry may cause eutrophication
Incinerators release poisonous gassed (CO2, sulfur dioxide) into atomsphere
Name the disadvantages an advantages of incinerators
Decreases volume of waste thrown into landfills
Incinerators release poisonous gassed (CO2, sulfur dioxide) into atomsphere
name 3 roles of microrganisms in waste management
bacteria break down sewage in sewage treatment plants
bacteria can be used to break down oil spills in the sea
bacteria and fungi are used in the process of decomposing
adapation
feature of a behavior of a plant of animal which helps it survive
name the two types of adpatations
structural or behavioural
name adapations of preadtors in:
Bats
Ladybirds
Hawk
Fox
Bats : have fur (keep bats warm in colder months)
nocturnal (allows them to avoid other competition)
Ladybirds: strong jaw to kill and eat aphids
Hibernates (avoid food shortages and cold weather)
Hawk : sharp beak and claws
Fox: eyes to the front of the head ( To judge distance and size)
decribe the adpations of prey in:
rabbits
Frogs
ladybirds
rabbits (large ears) helping them identify preadtors approaching
Frogs: camouflages to avoid attack
ladybirds: bright red colour - indicate poisonious
name the 4 factors that affect population
symbiosis,predation, parasitism,competition
symbiosis
when two organisms from different specied live with eachother and at least one benefits
name example of symbiotic relationships
symbiotic bacteria in large intestines produce vitamin B and vitamin K for the human and they get food and shelter from the host
nitrogen fixing bacteria: live in root nodules in clover plants (legumes)
mutalism
a form of symbiosis where both organisms benefit from the relationship
predation
the hunting/catching and eating of another organism
preadator
an organism that hunts/catches, kills and eats another organism called the prey
prey
the orgnisms eaten by the preadator
decribe the graph of a preadator-prey relationship
prey numbers peak before preadator numbers peak.
prey number higher than the preadator number
the preadator number increases when the prey is avliable.
preadators have lower number fie to energy loss in food chain
What is the purpose of a preadator prey relationship
controls eachothers population
preadaots control the number og heriviores to prevent over grazing
predtors eliminate less adapted prey (survival of the fittest)
name the advantage of introducing a preadtor as biological control
avoids pestacides
name the disadvantage of introducing a preadator as biological control
can affect balance in nature by altering food chains
factors that affect preadator prey relationships
avalibality of food; large prey numbers= large preadator numbers
disease; decrease population numbers
migration of preadators; small prey population - preadators migrate = large prey population
3 affects in an ecosystem is a plant specied dissapers
animals that use the plant as a source of food will be forced to migrate
animals who used the plant as a shelter will have to adapt
other plants that compete with this specied increase in number
Name two effects in the ecosustem if an animal dissapears
the prey or plant tht animal ate will increase in number
other animal species that competed with this animal increase in number fue to less competition
parasitism is a form of…
symbiosis
how are parasites different from other preadators
they can attack the host inside the body
Advantages of parasited
regulate population numbers
what is competition
when two organisms fight for a resource which is in short supply
Intra-specific competition
name an example
struggle for a resource which is in short supply between the same specied
two robins fighting for terratory
Inter-specific competition
name an example
struggle for a resource between different species
blackbird + thrush compete for food
name the two types of competition
contest competition
scramble competition
contest competition
name an example
when two organisms fight physically for a resource and only one gets the resourse
two male deers fight for a female
scramble competition
name an example
when organisms stuggle for a supply, each organism gets a small share of the resource
eg bird compeing for food
how does competition restrict population size
only sucessful competors will survive
what is the driving force behind evoltuion
competiton
how do animals avoid competition
changing their feeding habits
camouflage
moving away from over populated areas
how do plants avoid competition
produce large amounts of seeds
having long roots to adsorb water+minerals from deeper levels of the soil
name factors that affect human population
war
famine
contraception
disease
name reasons for huge increase in human population
better food quality
better sanination
better medical care
Why is it important to measure populations of different populations?
Measure changes on biodeversity caused by the destruction of habitats, populations or disease. Asses the impact of human activity
how do you identify plants and animals?
using an identification key
describe and explain how to use a pooter
place tube w/o gauze over organism suck in from tube with gauze to collect organism into jar
collects small insects
describe and explain how to use a tulgren funnel
the heat from the bulb causes insects to move down into soil and filter and fall into the jar/ with alcohol
describe and explain how to use a beating tray
place under a bush, shrub or low braches of a tree then shake it.organisms fall into the tray for identification, collects insects, caterpillars and spiders
describe and explain how to use a mammel trap
bait is placed inside and small animals enter and become trapped
describe and explain how to use a sweep net
sweeps over long grass to collect insects
eg butterfly
describe and explain how to use a pitfall trap
place bait in trap,place large stone on top tp prevent rain entry
captures flightless insects
what is a quantitative study
tells you the number of organisms present
what is a qualative study
tells you if an organism is absent or present
name three abiotic factors you measured
soil pH
Air temperture
Light intensity
how did you measire soil pH
recorded using a pH meter
how did you measure air temperture
thermometer
how did you measure light intensity
light meter
Describe how you conducted a qualative study for plants ( estimate the % frequency of plants in an ecosystem)
throw a pen in chosen sample over your shoulder (random selection)
Place quadrat over pen
record presence/ absence of plant
repeat at least 9 more times
presence or absence of a plant is recorded and presented in a table
calculate the frequence of the number of plants present.
Number of times present/no of qudrant throws x 100 =% freqency
what is a disadvantage of the quadrant throw method
cant be used on animals or large plants
describe the method on how you relate distribution of plants to abiotic factors
line transect method, rope should be straight across habitat
the rope is market at 1 m intervals. Record the number of plants touching the light at each station.
record abiotic factors at each station
describe how you conducted a quantative study of animals in your chosen ecosystem
estimate the population of an animal using the capture - recapture method.
1-set up pitfall trap and place bait inside
2- leave trap in the ecosysten for 24hrs
3- after 24hrs, count the no of woodlice in trap (C1) record this.
4_ Mark the animals (Do not harm the animals)
5.On the second visit (days later) reset trap in excact same area
record number of woodlice caught.
6.Dertimine no of population using : C1 x C2 /M1 (marked)
in your study of an ecosystem, list potential sources of error
sample size us too small, not acurate
Identifying orgamisms incorrectlly (Use a key)
Bias
list local scological issues related to woodland ecosystem
birds and rabbits killsed by domestic cats
Increased sparrow population due to local bird feeders
forgein garden plants colonising habitat
