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Biology (Mona) > Ecology > Flashcards

Ecology Flashcards

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1
Q

6 ecosystems in Ireland

A 
freshwater pond 
grassland
woodland
rocky seashore 
peatland (bog)
hedgerow / soil
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2
Q

grassland

A

a mixture of species of grass and broadleaved plants

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3
Q

most common type of grassland in Ireland

A

the hill grazing type

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4
Q

4 habitats with grasslands

A

tree area
soil
hedgerow
stream

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5
Q

5 steps on how to study an ecosystem

A

give general description/overview
identify types of organisms present (qualitative survey)
estimate numbers of species present (quantitative survey)
investigate and record 3 abiotic factors
present and analyse the results

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6
Q

what does the qualitative survey involve?

A

different types of collecting apparatus and biological keys

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7
Q

material used for grassland study overview

A

bamboo canes, measuring tape and string

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8
Q

method for overview 5

A

mark out and measure boundaries of ecosystem
measure distance from boundaries to definite landmarks
transfer the readings onto graph paper (suitable scale)
label the plan
not the direction of north (using compass)

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9
Q

function of qualitative survey

A

records the types of organisms present

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10
Q

method for qualitative survey

A

identify and use the apparatus required to collect organisms in an ecosystem

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11
Q

qualitative survey:

mammal trap

A

collecting small mammals e.g rats, mice

  • place bedding and food inside
  • set the trapdoor
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12
Q

qualitative survey:

pitfall trap

A

collecting small mammals that crawl on the surface

e.g spiders, centipedes, woodlice

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13
Q

qualitative survey:

cryptozoic trap

A

collecting small animals that are more active at nigh e.g slugs, woodlice

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14
Q

qualitative survey:

pooter

A

collecting insects and spiders from surface of plants and litter

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15
Q

qualitative survey:

sweep net

A

collecting insects from long grass

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16
Q

qualitative survey:

beating tray

A

collecting small animals in a tree

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17
Q

qualitative survey:

how to do use a beating tray

A

hold a white cloth under a tree

hit a branch strongly

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18
Q

qualitative survey:

bearmann funnel

A

getting small animals out of the soil. animals come out to escape wet conditions

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19
Q

qualitative survey:

tullgren funnel

A

getting small animals out of soil - centipedes, millipedes. Animals come out to move away from light

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20
Q

qualitative survey:

direct search

A

plants, fungi and stationary animals can be collected by hand

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21
Q

flora

A

plants

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22
Q

fauna

A

animals

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23
Q

a key

A

leads to the naming of an organism by giving two descriptions at a time to choose from

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24
Q

quantitative survey

A

records the numbers of a species or the distribution of species in an ecosystem

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25
Q

how is a quantitative survey done

A

using a quadrat

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26
Q

3 things that a quadrat may use

A

the frequency of a plant
the percentage
the numbers of a plant

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27
Q

what is a quadrat?

A

a square frame made of metal or wood

28
Q

how to use a quadrat

A

the quadrat is thrown at random a number of times in the habitat

29
Q

how is a random throw achieved

A

by throwing an object over your shoulder and placing the quadrat where the object lands

30
Q

frequency/percentage cover

A

numbers of each species measure

31
Q

2 limitations of using a quadrat

A

fast moving animals don’t stay long enough to be recorded

large species will not fit in e.g trees in a woodland

32
Q

frequency

A

the percentage chance of finding a species within a throw of the quadrat

33
Q

method to measure the frequency of a plant species

A

throw the quadrat at random in the habitat
record presence or absence of any 2 species
repeat for a number of throws (10)
record results on a table and calculate frequency

34
Q

calculate percentage frequency

A

total found
——————————– x100 `
number of qs thrown

35
Q

how do you present results of frequency

A

on a graph or bar chart

36
Q

percentage cover

A

the amount of ground covered in a quadrat by the aerial parts of a species

37
Q

how do you find percentage cover

A

using a grid quadrat and a knitting needle

38
Q

describe finding percentage cover

A

a grid quadrat is divided using wires or string to form intersections or sampling points, A plant scores a hit if it is touched by the needle when placed in an intersection

39
Q

method for finding percentage cover

A

throw a grid quadrat at random in chosen habitat
push down needle at each intersection and record the number of times that the needle touches each plant
repeat for number of throws
record results on a table and calculate percentage cover

40
Q

calculate percentage cover

A

total hits/total points x100

41
Q

function of transects

A

used to study the distribution of plants and animals (non-moving) across a habitat

42
Q

method to determine the distribution of a plant species along a line transect

A
  • place string or rope, marked off at regular intervals from one edge of the habitat to each other
  • record the position of the plant each time it touches the rope, move the rope 3 times and record the positions
  • move the rope 3 times and record the positions
  • combine the results of all the line transects to calculate the distribution of the species
43
Q

if a record of the abiotic features along the transect is taken what is possible?

A

to relate the distribution and abundance of organisms to changes in the environment within the habitat

44
Q

how is the number or distribution of sessile and slow-moving animals e.g snails calculated

A

the sam way as plants (quadrats)

45
Q

4 experiments to investigate abiotic factors

A

to determine the pH of a soil sample
to determine the light intensity in a grassland ecosystem
to determine the temperature of soil
to determine the water content of soil

46
Q

to determine the pH of a soil sample

A

add a few drops of universal indicator to a sample of soil on a white plate
check the resulting colour against the pH colour chart
record the number of the matching colour
(or use pH meter)

47
Q

to determine the light intensity in a grassland ecosystem

A

using a light meter, read and record the light intensity in a number of random sites, take all readings in 5 minutes
after an hour, take another set of readings at random
repeat this on a number of days

48
Q

to determine the temperature of soil

A

place a soil thermometer in the soil and leave for an hour
read and record the temperature
repeat this at random in a number of sites
repeat this on a number of days

49
Q

to determine the water content of soil

A

weigh an evaporation dish using a balance
weigh dish plus sample and find weight of sample
place in warm oven at 100ºC until weight constant
weigh again - find weight of soil water

50
Q

3 sources of error in measuring techniques

A

human error
changing ecosystems
limitation of sample size

51
Q

examples of human error

A 
mistakes in measuring/recording
species incorrectly identified 
lack of randomness in placing quadrats 
not enough quadrats supplied 
location of transects not typical of ecosystem 
use of unsuitable equipment
52
Q

changing conditions

A

ecosystems may be affected by seasonal change, freak conditions, pollution. surveys should be carried out at regular intervals throughout the year

53
Q

limitation of sample size

A

to study an ecosystem properly, a large number of habitats within it must be sampled
the habitats shouldn’t be too small, if they are, may plants and animals will be left out

54
Q

5 plants with adaptions

A 
perennial rye grass 
buttercup
white clover 
dock 
dandelion
55
Q

adaptions of perennial rye grass

A

needs bright light, dry ground/ pH 6.5-7

grows best in open, free-draining soil

56
Q

adaptions of buttercup

A

needs bright light and heat

it grows best in open, free-draining soil

57
Q

adaptions of white clover

A

needs open ground with well-drained soil/ pH 6.5-7

grows wells in nitrogen-poor soil (has nitrogen fixing bacteria)

58
Q

adaptions of dock

A

needs fertile soil / pH 6.5-7

can grow in partial shade as broad leaves can trap sunlight

59
Q

adaptions of dandelion

A

needs bright light and dry soil, seeds are adapted for wind dispersal
grows best in open, well-drained ground

60
Q

6 animals with adaptions

A 
snails
rabbit
spider 
earthworm 
ladybird 
fox
61
Q

adaptions of snail

A

herbivore that prefers shade
lives on leaves of trees and herbs
has shell for protection against drying out
snails are eaten by thrushes and foxes

62
Q

adaptions of rabbit

A

herbivore that eat grass
makes burrows to protect itself from predators
rabbits are eaten by foxes

63
Q

adaptions of spider

A

carnivore that feeds on living prey e.g flies, wasps
webs to catch prey
tough mouthparts for crushing prey
spiders are eaten by thrushes, blackbirds

64
Q

adaptions of earthworm

A

detritus feeder that feeds on decaying organic matter in damp soil
stays mostly underground to avoid drying out
earthworms are eaten by thrushes and blackbirds

65
Q

adaptions of ladybirds

A

carnivores found in long grass
eats aphids (greenfly) and scale insects
tough outer exoskeleton for protection against predators
ladybirds are eaten by thrushes

66
Q

adaptions of foxes

A

carnivore

kills and eats prey (mice, rabbits)

67
Q

presentation of results

A

portfolio drawn up:
overview of ecosystem and habitat studied
methods used to collect organisms
methods used to identify organisms
methods used to estimate number and distribution of org.
results presented
effect of 3 abiotic factors
adaptions of some organisms
role of organisms in transfer of energy (food chain/web.p)
effect of any local ecological issues related to ecosystem

Biology (Mona) (38 decks)

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