Ecosystems Flashcards
Define biosphere
Part of the earth that is inhabited by living organisms
Define ecosystem
All organisms living in a certain area and abiotic factors
Define habitat
place where an organism lives
Define abundance
Number of individuals of one species in an area
Define distribution
Where a species is in an area
Define population
Group of interbreeding individuals in an are (same species)
Define community
Populations that share a habitat
Define abiotic factor
Non-living factor
What are some abiotic factors?
Temperature - affects metabolic activity
Climate - rainfall and wind
Pollution
Define topography
Altitude
Define edaphic factors
Soil, pH of soil
What happens if temperature is different to body temperature?
Use a lot of energy to maintain the right body temp so less energy is available for growth and reproduction
Describe competition
Interspecific (between species) - limited food - less energy for growth and reproduction
Intraspecific (same species) -
What are some abiotic factors?
Grazing, predation, disease
Define mutualism
Relationship in which both benefit
Define density dependent
Effects related to population size, larger density=greater competition
Define anthropogenic factors
Arising from human activity
Stage 1,2 and 3 of primary succession
Starts in newly formed habitats where there hasn’t been a community before
Organisms called pioneer species colonise bare rock - cope with extreme conditions ie lichens or algae
Pioneers break up rock allowing organic material to accumulate - beginning of soil
Stage 4,5 and 6 of primary succession`
They change conditions to make it suitable for other species
Mosses build up more organic material in soil which holds water
Small, shallow rooted species germinate and survive
Stage 7 and 8 of primary succession
Larger species colonise and compete, replace old communities
A community is reached called a climax community. its stable
Describe secondary succession
Bare soil where a community has been cleared
Species adapted to take advantage of new soil:
Rapid growth, seeds dispersed by wind, short life cycle
What is deflected succession?
A community that remains stable due to human activity
Grazing
