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biology > ecosystems > Flashcards

ecosystems Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

succession definition

A

a series of changes that occur to an environment and its’ organisms present in the area over time

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2
Q

niche definition

A

an organisms role and interaction within its ecosystem

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3
Q

biomass definition

A

amount of material produced by an organism which can be transferred as energy

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4
Q

humus definition

A

dead organic matter from plants/animals death and secretion

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5
Q

pioneer plants

A

first plants to appear in succession, their growth and death adds humus, retaining water, heat and nutrients

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6
Q

2 differences between primary and secondary succession

A
  • primary is new land, secondary is previously inhabited land that has been destroyed
  • secondary is faster
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7
Q

competitive exclusion principle

A

idea that 2 species occupying an identical niche cannot coexist indefinitely due to competition for food/shelter/minerals etc

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8
Q

climax community

A

the result of succession when a community becomes stable. is called a plagioclimax when formed through human intervention

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9
Q

what are 2 biotic factors

A

intraspecific and interspecific competition

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10
Q

intraspecific

A

competition between members of the same species

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11
Q

interspecific

A

competition between members of different species

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12
Q

what are prey predator oscillations

A

prey causes predators ⬆️
when predators ⬆️ prey ⬇️
prey ⬇️ so predators ⬇️ and the cycle repeats

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13
Q

what are abiotic factors

A

non living

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14
Q

climate factors

A

light temp and humidity

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15
Q

edaphic factors

A

ph, soil temp and texture

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16
Q

topography

A

the gradient and 02 concentration in ponds

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17
Q

how to measure as estimate of temperature changes

A

with temperature proxies such as the hockey stick graph

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18
Q

why is there yearly fluctuations of CO2

A
  • natural temp
  • energy used
  • time of year = photosynthesis
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19
Q

why is methane dangerous

A
  • more potent than CO2
  • breaks down into carbon and water vapour
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20
Q

how to estimate population size with grids

A

mean density per quadrant X total area
/
area of each quadrant

21
Q

how to use ice cores in estimating temp

A

analyse air trapped in layers as 02 isotopes reflect temp

22
Q

using radiocarbon dating in estimating tempt

A
  • carbon isotopes
  • peat bogs with the plants and pollen grains to understand climate lived in
23
Q

impact of climate change: rainfall

A
  • warm air traps more water vapour
  • causing droughts or flooding
24
Q

impact of climate change: ice melting

A
  • sea levels rising
  • water temps rise
  • changes enzyme activity, animals may migrate
  • land can be out underwater
25
Q

impact of climate change: enzyme activity

A
  • can cause infertility
  • eggs may not hatch due to metabolic rate being too high/low
26
Q

impact of climate change: species distribution

A

other countries then have ideal temperatures for other animals causing migration - problem in insects as increases transmission of insect bourne disease

27
Q

how farming affects ecosystems

A

-crops removed and burned = less recycling of nitrogen, more carbon in air
- monocultures deplete minerals in soil
- artificial fertilisers = don’t support humus and soil structure (drainage etc)

28
Q

how fishing affects ecosystems

A
  • too many fish caught, can’t repopulate esp if in breeding season
  • large nets can accidentally kill wrong species, can destroy habitats
29
Q

3 appendices of CITES

A

i - trade of organisms banned
ii - animals at risk (extinction and endangerment) have grads controlled
iii - trade is only regulated in specific regions

30
Q

what are losses in energy transfers

A

muscle movement and metabolic reactions (heat)
faeces (undigested food)
respiration

31
Q

problems with number pyramids to represent ecosystems

A
  • hard to estimate
  • organisms are diff sizes
  • organisms have diff life cycles
32
Q

problems with biomass pyramids to represent ecosystems

A
  • must be killed for dry biomass
  • time consuming
  • different components have different energy levels
33
Q

gross primary productivity

A

total light energy fixed by photosynthesis - plants use 25% for own needs

34
Q

net primary productivity

A

energy available for the next organism, relies on biotic and abiotic factors

35
Q

role of buffer strips

A
  • contain diff species to increase biodiversity and provide protection
  • combats affect of monocultures depleting resources
36
Q

trophic levels

A

number of times energy has been transferred

37
Q

detrivores

A

ingest deed organic material

38
Q

saphrotrophs

A
  • secrete defective enzymes and digest products
39
Q

what does nitrifying bacteria do

A

oxidises ammonium compounds to form nitrates

40
Q

role of nitrogen fixing bacteria

A

in soil or root nodules
converts nitrogen into ammonia

41
Q

denitrifying bacteria

A

breaks down nitrates for production of ATP (NADP) and releases nitrogen gas as waste

42
Q

role of lightning in nitrogen cycle

A

when it strikes it transfers nitrogen from air to soil

43
Q

how is carbon removed from air and water

A

photosynthesis of plants and algae

44
Q

transfer of carbon in living things

A

through respiration, feeding, death and excretion

45
Q

role of fossilisation in carbon cycle

A
  • traps carbon in fossil fuels
  • released via combustion
46
Q

role of sedimentation in carbon cycle

A
  • carbonate rocks
  • released with weathering and volcanic activity
47
Q

how efficiency of energy changes in different trophic levels

A
  • different animals use different amounts of energy
  • energy is lost in animals via faeces, heat loss and respiration
  • not all of animals are consumed
48
Q

role of fungi in ecosystems

A

are decomposes that crate more biological humus and aid in nutrient and nitrogen recycling

biology (12 decks)

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