Ecosystems Flashcards
Biome
Large global ecosystem or biotic community characterised by dominant forms of plant life and the prevailing climate
Name 8 world biomes
Tropical forest Savanna Desert Coniferous forest Temperate decidious forest Chaparral Temperate grassland Tundra
Ecology
Study of communities of living organisms and the relationship between them and their physical surroundings
Name the 4 types of ecological units
Biomes: large areas across continents with its own characteristics of fauna/flora
Zones: units within biomes e.g. Layers in rainforest
Habitats: more specific locations with a particular set of conditions and adapted community e.g. Freshwater pond
Micro-habitats: small specific locations e.g. Under a leaf
Biomass
Total mass of plant and animal life in an ecosystem
Abiotic definition and what it includes
Non/living chemical and physical components of the ecosystem
Includes: Climate Soil characteristics Underlying parent rock Relief of land Drainage characteristics
Food chain
Hierarchy of organisms in a community, each member feeds upon another in the chain and is eaten in turn
Food web
When organisms within a community eat more than one type of food and food chains become interlinked
Tropic level
A feeding level within a food chain
Gersmehl diagrams
Shows how nutrients within the main stores of a biome are recycled
Leaching
When rainwater which is slightly acidic drains through the soil dissolving basic minerals and carrying them away in solution
Succession
Evolution of plant communities at a site over time from pioneer species to climax vegetation
At each stage the plant community alters the soil and microclimate allowing establishment of another species
Name 5 stages of succession
Invasion Colonisation Competition Domination Decline
Sere
An individual stage in a plant succession
Plagio climax
A stable plant community that has arisen as a result of human intervention in natural succession
Sub climax
If vegetation does not reach its climax as a result of interruptions by local factors such as soil changes or differences in parent rock
Ecosystem
Interaction of all living organisms (plants, animals and bacteria) with each other and with the physical (non living) characteristics in which they live
Name the 4 soil layers
O Horizon (organic layer) A Horizon (mineral + organic layer) B Horizon (mineral layer) C Horizon (unweathered parent material)
Name 3 soil layers in the O Horizon
Fermentation: made of leaves and partly decomposed material
Litter: made of loose leaves and little decomposition
Humus: well decomposed and original structures are no longer visible
Wasteland
Unused or vacant land that has essentially been left to nature
Usually associated with inner city areas
Range from 0.1 - 10 hectares in size
Urban Niche
An urban habitat which is specialised on a site
Contains micro habitats for plants and animals to colonise
Name 4 stages of heather succession
Pioneer
Building
Mature
Degenerative
Biodiversity
The variability amongst living organisms including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic systems
Name 3 levels of biodiversity
Genetic
Species
Ecosystem
Quality of life
Used to evaluate the general well being of individuals and societies
Usually defined in terms of health and happiness rather than wealth
Standard of living
Based primarily on income and what level of income will allow a person to buy necessities and luxury goods
Carnivorous plants adaptation
Adapted to attract, capture and digest small animals and insects
Obtain nutrients from animal matter
Venus fly trap
Llianas adaptation
Woody climbing plant that hangs from trees
Begin life on forest floor and depend on trees for support
Climb upwards for sunlight and survival
Attach themselves to trees with sucker roots or tendrils
Wind themselves around trees
Network of vines gives support against strong winds to shallow rooted, top heavy trees
Buttress roots adaptation
Large roots on all sides of a shallow rooted tree
Typically found in nutrient poor rainforest soils
Do not penetrate deeper layers
Roots spread out across forest floor as nutrients are found on top layers
Can be 15ft above ground
Drip tips adaptation
Leaves of forest trees
