Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Geography > Ecosystems > Flashcards

Ecosystems Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
U.S. Geography flashcards World Geography flashcards
1
Q

Define ecosystem

A

A natural network of interdependent biotic (living like plants and animals)** and abiotic** (non-living like climate and soil) components

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define abiotic

A

Non-living

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define Biotic

A

Living organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define local ecosystem

A

A small-scale network of interdependant biotic and abiotic components (e.g pond, tree, hedge)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define biome

A

A large-scale ecosystem (e.g Tropical Rainforest, Tundra)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Name 3 biotic components of an ecosystem

A

Plants
Animals
Insects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Name 4 abiotic components of an ecosystem

A

Climate
Geology
Water
Amount of sunlight

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Where does all the energy in an ecosystem originate?

A

The sun

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the name for the process in which plants convert the sun’s energy into food?

A

Photosynthesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Define producers

A

Plants that convert the sun’s energy into food by photosynthesis
They always start a food chain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What do primary consumers eat?

A

Producers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What do secondary consumers eat?

A

Primary consumers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What do tertiary consumers eat?
And where in the food chain can they typically be found?

A

Eat both primary and secondary consumers
Usually found at the top of the food chain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define top predator

A

The animal at the top of the food chain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Define decomposer

A

Fungi and bacteria that break down dead organic matter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the name for an animal that eats only plants?

A

Herbivore

17
Q

What is the name for an animal that eats only animals?

A

Carnivore

18
Q

What is the name for an animal that eats both plants and animals?

A

Omnivore

19
Q

What does the direction of an arrow in a food chain refer to?

A

The direction the energy is travelling

20
Q

What is a food chain?

A

A simple, linear series of links between predators and prey showing the transfer of energy through an ecosystem

21
Q

What is a food web?

A

A complex collection of interconnected food chains showing the transfer of energy through an ecosytem

22
Q

Describe the nutrient cycle

A

During the Autumn, the leaves of deciduous trees fall off.
The leaves will die and be decomposed by bacteria and fungi.
The nutrients from the leaves will be returned to the soil.
The roots of trees and other plants will then take the nutrients back up.
This process repeats.

23
Q

How much rainfall does a desert receive annually?

A

Less than 250mm of rainfall a year

24
Q

Name the largest desert on Earth

A

Antarctica

25
Q

Name the largest hot desert on Earth

A

The Sahara

26
Q

Define Biodiversity

A

variety of plant and animal species within an ecosystem

27
Q

Name 3 things on which the level of biodiversity depends

A

Climate
Available habitats
Food sources

28
Q

Interdependence

A

changes in one component can have significant impacts on other parts of the ecosystem

29
Q

Feeding interactions can be shown between biotic components by which two things?

A

Food chains
Food webs

30
Q

Name the 4 main trophic levels in order

A

Producers
Primary Consumers
Secondary Consumers
Tertiary Consumers

31
Q

What is the main purpose of decomposers?
(bacteria and fungi)

A

Break down dead organic matter to release energy and return nutrients back into the soil

32
Q

What is a stable ecosystem?

A

A natural system where all biotic and abiotic components are in balance so that populations remain constant

33
Q

Name 5 factors affecting biome distribution

A

Latitude
Precipitation
Altitude
Continentality
Ocean currents

34
Q

How does latitude affect biome distribution?

A

With distance from the equator, temp and sunshine hours decrease

35
Q

Define latitude

A

Measure of distance north or south of the equator
They run east to west, parallel to the equator

36
Q

How does precipitation affect biome distribution?

A

Areas of high pressure experience low rainfall
Low pressure - High rainfall

37
Q

How does altitude affect biome distribution?

A

Increases in altitude lead to decreases in temperature

38
Q

How does continentality affect biome distribution?

A

Locations further inland heat up more quickly in the summer and cool more quickly in the winter

39
Q

How do ocean currents affect biome distribution?

A

Warm and cold currents circulate in the oceans, either warming or cooling adjacent land

Geography (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions