Ecosystems Flashcards
What is an ecosystem
Complex natural system made up plants animals and the environment
What is nutrient cycling
organisms extract minerals for growth from soil or water, before passing them on through the food chain − and ultimately back to the soil and water.
Define a food chain
In a food chain, energy and nutrients are passed from one
organism to the next
Food web define
A network of food chains, showing how they all link together
What are large scale ecosystems known as?
Biomes
Why do biomes form broad latitudinal belts across the world
the climate and characteristics of ecosystems are determined by global atmospheric circulation
What causes variations in these east to west belts? (Changes in the ecosystems east to west)
Factors such as ocean currents, winds and distribution of land and sea, create small changes in temperature and moisture.
What is a natural change that can effect ecosystems
Extreme weather like droughts- kill fish plants and birds
What changes can happen to ecosystems due to human activities- give human activities
Ponds drained to use for farming- aquatic plants and life will die
Fertilisers can lead to eutrophication: nitrates increase growth of algae which deplete oxygen and fish may die.
