Ecosystems Flashcards
Ecosystem
All the living and non living components of a particular area
Dynamic: Populations constantly rise and fall, small changes can have large impacts, abiotic and biotic factors can alter conditions
Community
All the living organisms present in an ecosystem at a given time
Habitat
The place where an organism lives within an ecosystem, phsyical conditions and other living organisms
Ecological Niche
The role of a species within its habitat, concerning both biotic, e.g. food, and abiotic factors
Carrying Capacity
The maximum size of population an ecosystem can support
Abiotic Factors Affecting Population Size
Temperature
Light
pH
Water and Humidity
Intraspecific Competition
Individuals of the same species compete with each other for mates, food, water, shelter, light
Level of competition depends on availability of resources
Interspecific Competition
Individuals of the different species compete with each other for food, water, shelter, light
Level of competition depends on availability of resources
Predator-Prey Relationship Impact on Population Sizes
Cycle:
Predator eats prey
Prey population decreases
Less food for predator (intraspecific competition)
Predator population decreases
Less prey eaten as there are less predators
Prey population increases
More food for predator
Predator population increases
Primary Succession
An area devoid of life is colonised by a community of organisms.
Pioneer species can survive harsh conditions and colonisation occurs.
This makes the environment less hostile and more suitable for other organisms
So the biodiversity increases
To a climax community
Climax Community
Final stage of succession, ecosystem is balanced and stable and no longer changing
Secondary Succession
Occurs when land that has already sustained life is suddenly altered, e.g. land clearances or fires.
Reaches climax community through same process just much faster as the soil already exists.
Conversation
Protection and management of species and habitats to maintain biodiversity and habitats.
Plagioclimax
Preventing succession is a way to conserve habitats, a plagioclimax is a stage before the climax community which is being preserved by conservation, e.g. a moorland that is being stopped form progressing naturally to a spruce forest
