Ecosystems

Question 1

Definition of biodiveristy

Answer 1

This is the variety of living organisms within an area.

Question 2

Define the terms community and ecosystem

Answer 2

A community is all of the living organisms living in a particular area.

An ecosystem consists of all the organisms (the community) living in a particular habitat and the non-living components with which the organisms interact.

Question 3

Describe the interactions of niches between organisms in the environment

Answer 3

A niche is the role an organism plays within a community.

A niche relates to the resource’s organisms require in the ecosystem, such as light and nutrient availability. It can also involve competition, predation and the conditions it can tolerate such as temperature.

Question 4

Describe the nature of competition between organisms

Answer 4

Competition in ecosystems will occur between organisms when resources are in short supply.

Animals are in competition for:

food
space
water availability
mates

Plants are in competition for:

nutrients
water
space
light/sunlight

Question 5

Describe intraspecific and interspecific competition

Answer 5

Intraspecific competition occurs from individuals of the same species for all of the resources they require.

Interspecific competition occurs from individuals of different species for one or a few of the resources they require.

Question 6

Compare interspecific and intraspecific competition

Answer 6

Intraspecific competition is more intense than interspecific competition because organisms are competing for more resources.