Ecology and the Environment - The Organism in the Environment Flashcards
what does population mean?
all members of single species living in the same area at the same time
what does community mean?
groups of populations living and interacting with each other in an area
what does habitat mean?
environment in which species normally live in
what does ecosystem mean?
community and abiotic environment
how would you investigate the population size of an organism using quadrats?
- place the quadrat randomly within the sampling area
- count the number of members of the same species within the quadrat
- repeat this numerous times within the sampling area using the same size quadrat
- repeat the process in another area to compare the results
what are abiotic factors?
non-living environmental factors that can affect organism in ecosystem
for example:
- light intensity
- soil pH and moisture level
- availability of minerals, nutrients and water
- temperature
- oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
what are biotic factors?
interactions between living organisms
for example:
- competition for food and shelter
- diseases
- predation
