Ecology Flashcards
What is a habitat?
The environment in which a species normally lives
Examples of habitats
Rainforests, savanas
What is abiotic factor , examples
A feature of a habitat that’s not alive
Soil type, size, temperature, humidity,shape of the land
What is an adaptation
A feature/ a behaviour that an organism has that enables it to live in its environment
Examples of adaptation
Streamlined- swim fast for food etc
Early growth and flowering in woodland-they can still get sunlight before trees block the sun
Floating plants- getting maximum sunlight
Hibernation- hide from cold, saves energy
What do we need to know to estimate population size?
1) size of the area you want to investigate
2) size of each sample you are taking
3) the number of samples you take
Herbivore?
An animal that eats plants
Carnivore?
An animal that eats another animal
Producer
All plants are producers
Consumer
All animals are consumers
Tropic level?
The feeding level an organism is found at
What is a food chain
A food chain shows the flow of energy in an eco system
What are food webs
Show the eating relationships between organisms in a particular habitat
How do you draw food chains?
1) Always begin with a producer
2) the arrows always show where the energy is going
3) never use dashes
How much % is lost each time a food chain goes past each tropic level
90%
Energy can be lost in a food chain by:
- respiration
- excretion
- movement
- not all parts are eaten (roots)
Name the 4 ways of transportation (in a river)
Traction- big rocks are rolled along the river bed
Saltation- rocks are bounced along by the river
Suspension- small rocks are suspended in the river flow
Solution- tiny invisible particles dissolved in water
Different types of weathering:
Biological: seed, seed cracks the rocks, tree grows
Physical: water goes into a hole and freezes, ice pushes rocks apart and makes the hole bigger
Chemical: acid rain corrodes rocks used for statues and buildings
What features do predators have? (3)
Sharp claws- grip on to prey, kill prey
Binocular vision- better judgement on where the animal is and how big it is
Camouflage- they can creep up on prey
What features to prey have? (3)
Eyes at the side of their head- so they can see what’s coming
Excellent hearing- they can hear predators coming
Live in herds- some can still keep safe, they can work together
What is a predator?
An animal that hunts and kills other animals for food
What are prey?
An animal that is hunted by another animal for food
Explain eutrophication
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