ecosystems Flashcards
what is an ecosystem
a natural system made up that is made up of plants, animals and the environment in which they live
biotic
plants, animals, bacteria and fungi
abiotic
climate, water and soils
producer
creates its own food through photosynthesis
consumers
an organism that gets its energy by eating other organisms
decomposer
an organism that gets its energy by breaking down dead materials
what is a food chain
shows the direct links between different organisms that rely on each other as a source of food
what is a food web
shows the complex hierarchy of plants and animals that rely on each other as a source of food within an eco system
what is the nutrient cycle
-when dead material decomposes, nutrients are released into the soil
-nutrients taken up from the soil by plants
-when the plants die, the nutrients are returned to the soil
impact of change in an ecosystem - natural change
-extreme weather
-climate change
-spread of invasive species
impact of change in an ecosystem - human induced
-land use, deforestation
-fertilisers
-hunting
what is epping forest
deciduous woodland forest
what is epping forest made up of
-native tree species
-lower shrub layer of grasses, brambles and bracken
-insects, mammals, amphibians and birds
-over 700 species of fungi
where are coniferous forests found
60 degrees north
characteristics of coniferous forest
cold and dark winters, warm summers
