Ecosystem distribution factors, Ecosystem processes and relationships, Succession Flashcards
What do we mean by the word ecosystem?
The links between plants, animals and non-living things around them such as rocks, soil, water and climate.
What is a biome?
.A large-scale ecosystem where climate, vegetation and soils are broadly the same within the area.
Why is rainfall significant in the distribution of all biomes?
Different biomes have different patterns and amounts of rainfall therefore it creates their differences. E.g. a place that has less than 25cm of rain per year is described as a desert.
Why is temperature significant in the distribution of all biomes?
Latitude (How far north or south you are on the earth) and Altitude (How high) if rainfall is reliable can create distinctive ecosysteme e.g. Mountains have very distinctive ecosystems as they temperature falls by 1 degrees C for every 200m of altitude.
What other three factors are important in the distribution of biomes?
Relief, Geology, Soils
What are the living parts of the ecosystem called?
Biotic
What are the non-living parts of an ecosystem called?
Abiotic
Succession is…?
The development of ecosystems over time through succession
Describe the stages of succession
Hardy pioneer species colonise a bare area of ground. Weathered rock and plant decay increase nutrients so plants grow this supports insects and animal life. Deeper soils are created this means bigger and more variety of plants live in the area. Over time dominant species such as the Oak tree will invade to complete the succession and the climax community.
Summarise how the nutrient cycle works
- Rocks that are weathered puts nutrients into the soil.
Rainfall adds water. - Plants absorb (suck up) nutrients through their leaves and roots.
- Animals gain nutrients by eating plants and other animals.
- When plants and animals die they are broken down (decomposted) by fungi and bacteria.
- Nutrients returned to the soil.
True or false? The sun is the source of all energy for life on earth
True
What is a food chain?
The connections between different plants and animals that rely on each other as their source of food.
What is a food web?
The linking of lots of food chains together.
Plants are…?
Producers
Herbivores eat plants, these are…?
Primary Consumers
Carnivores eat herbivores, these are…?
Secondary Consumers
Why does the number of living organisms decrease at each stage of the food chain?
Energy is lost used up in transpiration, movement and breathing.
Why is the water cycle important when looking at ecosystems?
As the water travels around the cycle it is absorbed by plants and consumed by animals.
Ecosystems are carbon stores, where is this carbon stored?
Trees, Plants, Animals, Leaf litter, fallen trees, decaying wood, insects.
How much carbon is stored and where it is stored is influenced by the climate because…?
Climate affects the rates that plants grow.
What are nutrient flows?
The movement of minerals from one store to another.
