Ecosystems Flashcards
What is an example of a small scale UK ecosystem?
freshwater pond ecosystem
What are the functions of different components of this ecosystem?
energy: sun provides light and warmth
above pond: birds and insects, food found
pond surface: animals breathe through lungs gills or skin - lots of oxygen available here
pond margin: shelter for insects and plants - lots of sunlight and air
pond bottom: shelter in mud and gravels - food sinks to bottom for scavengers and decomposers, less light and oxygen
mid pond water: fish main predators, food found within water column and at bottom and surface
What is a producer?
Organisms that obtain their energy from a primary source such as sunlight.
What is a consumer?
Organisms that obtain their energy from eating other organisms.
What is a decomposer?
organism that breaks down dead organic material
What is a food web?
a multitude of links that considers all of the connections between the plants and animals within an ecosystem
What is nutrient cycling?
The nutrient cycle is the circulation of nutrients between biotic and abiotic elements, ensuring that plant life receive elements such as nitrogen, magnesium and potassium
What are some examples of human impacts on ecosystems?
introducing more fish (fish stocking)
altering the drainage of the land which may influence the amount of water
changing the pH level of the water
altering the nutrient levels of the water if fertilisers are leached into the water resulting in eutrophication
What are the effects of disrupting the balance between components in an ecosystem?
this can lead to overpopulation of some species leading to disruption in the food web
can disrupt nutrient cycling
can lead to harsh conditions from some animals
What is the distribution and characteristics of global ecosystems?
tundra: north and south poles - very few animals and plants can survive here
taiga (coniferous) : scandinavia, canada, and russia - evergreen trees thrive in cool climate
temperate deciduous forest: Europe and Usa - thrive in wet conditions: temperate maritime climate
Chaparral or evergreen hardwood (Mediterranean): Mediterranean Sea, around Perth and Melbourne in Australia and California in the USA.
desert: around tropics of cancer and capricorn - harsh and dry climates - animals adapted to these
tropical rainforest: ound near the Equator. The climate is hot and humid and many different species can be found here.
Savanna grassland: found mainly in central Africa, southern India, northern Australia and central South America. Long grasses and a few scattered trees are found in these hot and dry conditions.
