Ecology 2 Flashcards
s
2 Abiotic/Biotic Factors that affect earthworm population size
Abiotic-Water/Humidity
Biotic-Food/Disease
Factors affecting decay
Increase in temp
High moisture
High oxygen levels
Why is compost good
It is decomposed as it contains organic waste. The waste is decomposed into minerals which are good fertiliser.
3 types of enviromental changes and examples. What do they impact
Seasonal-Low temp/High temps can cause droughts/floods
Geographic-Tectonic Plates/Land bridges sink/Erosion of land/
Human-Pollution/Air /Water
All impact distibution of a species
Carbon cycle
The cycle where carbon moves
between living organisms and the environment, involving respiration, photosynthesis and
combustion.
Processes and Stores
Within the carbon cycle
Processes: Respiration/Photosynthesis
Stores: Producers/Fossil Fuels
How does destroying peat bogs lead to an increase of CO2 in the atmosphere
Destroying the bogs leads the peat to come in contact with the air. Decomposers decay the peat leading to more CO2 being produced. By burning peat more CO2 is released. As peat is a natural carbon sink.
How is peat formed
Large amounts of plants are compressed and do not fully decay as there is not enough oxygen. The compression forms peat. Rich in carbon.
Effects of deforestation
Reduction in biodiversity
Soil erosion
Loss of species
CO2 released into enviroment
Reasons for deforestation
Increased population
More land: farming,quarring, landfill, building
Difference between ozone layer and greenhouse gas layer
Ozone layer-Made of O3 protects from radiation
Greenhouse gases-Heats the earth conserving suns warmth
Water cycle
The cycle where water moves between living organisms and the
environment, involving evaporation, transpiration, condensation and precipitation.
Methods of disposing waste
Landfill-Sites become quickly filled/contaminates surrounding enviroment
Incinerating-Reduces volume/produces chemical
Recycling-Aloows them to be useful again
Compost-Uses natural processes to decompose organic material
How is acid rain formed
When impurities of sulfur and nitrogen in fuels are combusted in cars. They react with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxides. These evaporate into clouds. Then when it rains the sulfur dioxide mixes with the rain to form sulphuric acid rain.
Indicator species
Organisms whose presence or absence provides information on the enviromental conditions in a specific area.
