Ecosystems

Question 1

Ecology

Answer 1

The study of how organisms interact with each other

Question 2

Levels of Ecology

Answer 2

Individual - a single organism
Population - group of the same species
Community - groups of different species
Ecosystem - the community and it’s physical environment
Biome - a region with a specific climate and organisms adapted to that climate
Biosphere - multiple biomes in coexistence (Earth)

Question 3

Ecotone and Diversity

Answer 3

A transition area between ecosystems where organisms from both ecosystems can interact with each other
- supports greater diversity than either of the original ecosystems
- a greater diversity in a ecosystem is less fragile

Question 4

Biotic Factor

Answer 4

Factors caused by the presence and roles of other living things

Question 5

Abiotic Factors

Answer 5

Factors caused by the influence of non-living things

Question 6

Ecological Niche

Answer 6

An organism’s role in an ecosystem
- place in the food web
- habitat
- breeding area
- most active period in the day

Question 7

Exotic Species

Answer 7

Introduction of a new species to an ecosystem it is not native to
- one of the main causes of species depletion and extinction
- has an advantage to indigenous species and increases quickly
- does not have any natural predators or diseases in the new ecosystem
- prey do not have any adaptation to counter the exotic species

Question 8

Littoral Zone

Answer 8

Area extending out from the lakeshore to the point where you can no longer find rooted plants
- most productive part of the lake
- size is determined by lake depth and slope of the lakebed

Question 9

Limnetic Zone

Answer 9

Area of open lake where there is enough light for photosynthesis
- habitat of plankton

Question 10

Profundal Zone

Answer 10

Area where there is not enough light for photosynthesis
- relies on falling nutrients from dead plants or animals (detritus)
- detritus is consumed by bacteria or bottom-dwellers
- bacteria use oxygen to decompose detritus which lowers oxygen levels

Question 11

Factors affecting Terrestrial Ecosystems

Answer 11

• soil
• tempurature
• availible water
• sunlight

Question 12

Layers of Soil

Answer 12

Litter
- partially decomposed leaves and grasses
- limits tempurature variations in lower layers and prevents water evaporation
Topsoil
- small particles of rocks mixed with decaying plant and animal matter (humus)
- the darker the topsoil, the more rich the nutrient supply
Subsoil
- more rock particles and less organic matter
- less nutrients but more minerals
Bedrock
- solid rock

Question 13

Characteristics of Soil

Answer 13

Amount of Oxygen
- needed for the decomposition of dead matter
Drainage
- the rate at which water passes throughh soild
pH
- determined by the rock the soil was formed and the decomposition of dead plants

Question 14

Availible Water

Answer 14

• amount and type of precipitation
• how much water stays in the upper lays of soil and collects beneath it