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
where are deciduous forests found
50 degrees north, (natural ecosystem for uk)
characteristics of deciduous forest
mostly mild and moist, trees drop leaves in winter to retain moisture
where is the desert found
30 degrees north and south
characteristics of deserts
sinking air surpasses rain formation; hot in the day, cooler at night
where is the mediterranean found
40-45 degrees north
characteristics of the mediterranean
hot and dry summers, wet and mild winters
where is the polar/tundra
arctic and Antarctic, high latitudes
characteristics of polar/tundra
extremely cold throughout the year in polar regions, brief warm summers in tundra regions
where is temperate grassland
30-40 degrees north and south
characteristics of temperate grassland
hot summer, cold winters and low rainfall
where are tropical rainforests
close to the equator
characteristics of tropical rainforests
heavy rainfall, high temperatures; ideal conditions for plant growth
where are tropical grasslands
between 15 and 30 degrees north and south
characteristics of tropical grasslands
distinct wet and dry seasons, fires common in the dry season
