Ecology and Human Influences Flashcards
What is a bionic factor
Living components that affect the ecosystem and organisms within it
What are abiotic factors
Non-living physical conditions that influence or affect the ecosystem and the organisms within it
What is a habitat
The place where specific organisms live. An ecosystem is made up of lots of habitats
What is a community
A combination of all populations of different species interacting with one and another within the ecosystem
What is the population
All organisms belonging to one/the same species living in an ecosystem
How do you know where to place your quadrat
Get a table of random numbers to generate co-ordinates
Place quadrat on ground, if plant takes up……then mark it as…..
Over 50%
Present
How do you work out the percentage cover of plants in the 10m x 10m area
No. squares plant was present in
————————————————- (x100)
Total number of squares
What is a transect
A 10m line to investigate how the number of organisms change over the habitat
Give a method of using a transect
Measure 12m from the top of the hill to the bottom using tape measure
At every meter, place the quadrat against the length of tape, always on the left.
See the percentage cover of each little square in the 1m²
Do this every meter and record the average percentage cover on the table afterwards.
What is an autotroph
Makes own food (plant)
What is a heterotroph
Gets nutrition from eating other animals
What are decomposers
Organisms, namely bacteria and fungi, that break down dead or decaying matter.
In a food web, the arrow represents the……of……..
Transfer of energy
What shape will pyramids of Biomass always be
Pyramids!
How do you work out the energy efficiency in trophic levels
Energy in Trophic Level 2
Efficiency = ————————————
Energy in Trophic Level 1
Give two types of decomposers
Fungi
Bacteria
What does Nitrifying Bacteria do
Converts Ammonia to Nitrites to Nitrates (Soil)
What are Denitrifying Bacteria
Nitrogen is converted into the atmosphere (Soil)
What do Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria do
Nitrogen converted to Ammonia (Soil, roots (legumes))
Give two molecules in our body that contain Nitrogen
Protein
DNA
Give the difference between Organic and Inorganic fertilisers
Organic contains carbon (natural) e.g Manure
Inorganic are more complex, no Carbon e.g NPK
Give some effects acid rain has on the planet
If inhaled, acid can damage the delicate tissue winning the lungs
The acid can directly damage the leaves of plants, meaning that they can no longer carry out photosynthesis
Animals with soft skins, such as fish + amphibians may have their skin damaged by the acid rain falling into ponds, lakes and rivers
Acidity cause more mineral ions to become more soluble
Poisons such as aluminium will be absorbed by the plant
Essential mineral ions may be washed away.
What is a greenhouse gas
Gas that trap some of the heat radiated from the Earths surface and prevent it from escaping
What is the greenhouse effect
Heat is retained on surface go the Earth, as a direct result of greenhouse gasses
What is global warming
An environmental condition of the average increase of the temperature of the Earth’s surface + atmosphere
Explain why food chains are one made of 4 trophic levels
Energy is lost through each level
e.g Respiration, exertion, not all of the organic is consumed and heat
So there is not enough energy to sustain anymore than 4 levels
What type of radiation is emitted from the Sun
Short wave - Uv light
What type of wave is remitted by the Earth
Long wave - Infa-red
Give the 5 greenhouse gasses
Methane - Increased farming (animals + crops)
Water Vapour
Carbon Dioxide - Combustion of fuels + Deforestation
Nitrous Oxide - Combustion + break down of artificial Nitrogen fertilisers
Chlorofluorocarbons - Artificial chemicals produced for use in fridges and aerosol cans
Give some effects of global warming
Rising sea levels Ice Caps Melting Animals left with no habitat More droughts Stronger storms Increased rainfall Wetter winters Mountain snow could melt
What effect does deforestation have on the water cycle
Little transpiration could lead to a dry climate
Water will then collect on the soil which will cause floods
What effect does deforestation have on the soil
Nutrients taken up by plants are not put back into soil
Less barriers to prevent water from washing away nutrient in the soil
Soil erosion as roots not holding soil together
Desertification
What effect does deforestation have on the Carbon cycle and balance of CO2 and O2 in the atmosphere
Less carbon dioxide absorbed as less photosynthesis due to the lack of trees
Burning trees will release carbon dioxide
Less oxygen produced as little photosynthesis
