Ecology Flashcards
Defn symbiosis
Two species having a very close relationship that st least one relies on
Defn mutualism
A symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit
Drfn commensalism
A symbiotic relationship in which one benefits and the other is not affected
Defn parasitism
A symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and the other is harmed
Defn niche
A species requirement for survival
Defn biodiversity
The variety of plant and animals life in the world or a particular habitat
Defn biome
A large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat
Defn tundra
Low temperatures
Minimal tree growth
Short growing seasons
Where is tundra
Canada
Russia
Iceland
Defn grasslands
Grasses flowers and herbs
Precipitation enough for grass
Humid
Seasonal
Where are grasslands
Argentina
Ukraine
Defn desert
Barren
Hot or cold
Hostile for plant and animal growth
Minimal trees
Where is desert
Ausgralia
North Africa
Defn tropical rainforest
Tall trees
50-260 inches of rain per year
Humid
70% plants are trees
Where is tropical rainforest
Indonesia
South America
Defn taiga
Snow
Rain in summers
Coniferous trees
Where is taiga
North America
Eurasia
What are the 5 spheres?
Atmosphere Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere Cryosphere
Defn atmosphere
Extends from the earths surface for several hundred kms
Defn biosphere
All living things from single celled bacteria to plants and animals
Defn lithosphere
Includes all minerals and rocks, molten rocks, sediments and soil
Defn hydrosphere
Includes all ocean, lakes, rivers, streaks and water vapour
Defn cryosphere
Frozen part of the earth system including snow, glaciers and sea ice
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect
Melting of ice
Ocean acidification
Permafrost melting
Rising sea levels
What happens when permafrost melts
It stores massive amounts of carbon dioxide and methane gases are released as a result of melting
Defn thermal expansion
Water temperature increases, causing expansion
What causes melting ice
Imbalance of seasons
Hot summers cause run off ratio
Ocean evaporation
What causes ocean acidification
Half of man made carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean
Alters water chemistry and marine life cycles
Carbonic acid
Defn abiotic
A non living factor
TEMP
SUN
OXYGEN
Defn biotic
A living organism
PLANTS
ANIMALS
BACTERIA
What is the greenhouse effect
The trapping of the suns warmth in the lower atmosphere due to greater transparency of the atmosphere to visible radiation from the sun
Defn fossil fuels
A natural fuel formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms
Fossil fuel examples
Coal
Crude oil
Gasss
Naturally occurring forms of carbon
Diamond
Coal
Graphite
Carbon cycle first step
Carbon enters the atmosphere as CO2 from respiration and combustion
Carbon cycle second step
CO2 absorbed by producers to make carbohydrates in photosynthesis
Carbon cycle third step
Animals feed on plant passing the CO2 down the food chain
Carbon cycle fourth step
Animals die
Carbon cycle fifth step
Dead organisms are eaten by decomposers and carbon in bodies is returned to the atmosphere as CO2
Water cycle first step
Evaporation
Water cycle second step
Condensation
Water cycle third step
Precipitation
Water cycle fourth step
Runoff
