Ecosystems

Question 1

What is ecology?

Answer 1

• the name given to the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment

Question 2

what is an ecosystem?

Answer 2

• made up of all the living organisms that interact with one another in a deifned area, and also the physical factors present in that region

Question 3

How are the boundaries of an ecosystem defined?

Answer 3

by team or person studying area

Question 4

What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?

Answer 4

• biotic factors
  
  • living factors
  • interactions between organisms
• abiotic factors
  
  • non-living or physical factors
  • e.g. rainfall

Question 5

What do animals compete for ?

Answer 5

food, space and breeding parteners

Question 6

How does light availability affect an ecosystem? What are some examples of organisms responding to the availability of light?

Answer 6

• needed for photosythesis
  
  • in general, greater the availability of light, the greater the success of a plant species
• plants develop stratergies to cope w different light intensiies
  
  • e.g. larger leaves in areas with low light
  • pigments that require ;less light
    
    • reproductive system that only operate when light is optimum

Question 7

What is the affect of temperature on a ecosystem? WHat are some examples of how organisms respond?

Answer 7

• greatest effect of temp is on the enzymes controlling metabolic reactions
• plant develop more rapidly in warmer temp, as will ectothermic animals
• changing seasons can trigger:
  
  • migration
  • hibernation
  • leaf fall, dormancy, or flowering in plants

Question 8

What is the effect of water availability and oxygen availability on a ecosystem? give examples

Answer 8

• water
  
  • leads to stress and even death
  • plants wilt - cells lose turgidity, also needed for photosynthesis
• oxygen
  
  • aquatic
    
    • fast-flowing cold water contains high O2, warm water flow rate too slow, may lead to suffocations
  • waterlogged
    
    • air spaces between soil filled with water
    • reduces oxygen availability for roots

Question 9

How do soil factors affect the ecosystem? what is the other name for them? give examples

Answer 9

• edaphic factors
• soil have different particles sizes which affects which organsims are able to survive
• clay
  
  • fine particles
  • easily waterlogged
  • forms clumps when wet
• loam
  
  • different sizes
• • retains water but does not become waterlogged
• sandy
  
  • coarse separated particles that allow draining
  • does not retain water and is easily eroded