Ecosystems Flashcards
Ecosystem
Made up of all the living organisms that interact with one another in a defined area and also the physical factors
Biotic factors
Living factors that effect an organism
Abiotic factors
The non living or physical factors
Producer
An organism that converts light energy into chemical energy by the process of photosynthesis
Consumers
Organisms that obtain their energy by feeding on other organisms
Decomposer
organism that breaks down dead organic material
Trophic level
One of the steps of the food chain “ feeding level”
Habitat
Place where organism lives, provides correct environmental conditions
Population
Group of organisms of the same species living in the same place at the same time
Community
Made up of all organisms of all the species living within a habitat
Niche
Role an organism plays in its community
Encompasses both the physical and the environmental conditions it requires
Features of biomass pyramids
As you go up the number of individuals decreases but size increases as not all of the energy at one trophic level is passed onto the next
This is due to: not all parts of the organisms being eaten, energy lost as heat during respiration, energy loss in faces
Pyramids of energy represent the total amount of energy that flows through each trophic level
Primary succesion
Occurs on areas of land that has been newly formed or exposed such as bare rock.
No soil or organic material present
Slow processes of developing barren land to pioneer community to intermediate community to climax
Secondary succession
Occurs on areas of land where soil is present, but it contains no plant or animal species elf Forrest fire
Stages of succession
Barren land ——-> pioneer community ( colonisers) ——-> intermediate community ( moss grass shrubs) ——> climax community
