Ecosystems Flashcards
Biotic Factors
Living factors that affect an environment (plants, animals, etc.)
Abiotic Factors
Non-living factors that affect an environment (water, heat, humidity, etc.)
Hierarchy of Ecosystems
Ecosystem, Community, Population, Organism
Hot weather adaptations for animals
Insulation, Surface area to volume ratio, Vasodilation, Metabolic heat, Less water use, Evaporative cooling,
Insulation
Optimal thickness of fur and fat to regulate temperature
Surface Area to Volume Ratio (SA:V)
The amount of surface area relative to the animals volume or size.
High SA:V
(Small animals) Releases or absorbs a proportionally large amount of heat in little time. Exposure to direct sunlight may quickly increase body temperature. Large ears are a prime example of this.
Low SA:V
Releases or absorbs a proportionally low amount of heat. The animal’s internal body temperature is resistant to change. Beneficial for animals who cannot avoid direct sunlight.
Vasodilation
When internal temperature rises blood vessels near the skin dilate and total surface blood flow increases. This hot blood releases heat into the environment, cooling the animal down.
Metabolic heat
Affected based on whether they are: warm blooded (endotherms), or cold blooded (ectotherms)
Endotherms
Mammals, birds and some fish. They spend a lot of energy producing metabolic heat, in warm environments , they must evolve effective ways to release excess heat.
Ectotherms
Reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. They obtain heat from their environment, so they use less energy in warm environment.
Decreased water use
Some desert animals excrete very concentrated urine, with very little water. Most of their faeces have very low water contents
Evaporative cooling
Sweating and panting are examples. While the evaporation of water can be effective, it may lead to loss of water.
Hot weather adaptations for plants
Lightly coloured or reflective leaves, leaves with smaller surface area, no leaves, curled leaves, having more water, water storage,
