Ecosystems Flashcards
Where can life be found? And what are their scientific names?
- Water - hydrosphere
- Land - lithosphere
- Air - atmosphere
Anywhere where life can be found is called the…….?
Biosphere
What are the 6 abiotic factors?
- Light
- Water
- Air
- Climate
- Soil
- Physiographic factors
Name three reasons why light is important:
- Main source of energy comes from the Sun
- photosynthesis (light energy converts into glucose and oxygen)
- Cellular respiration (glucose and oxygen used)
Name three reasons why water is important:
- Needed for chemical reactions in organisms (digesting our food needs water)
- needed for photosynthesis which supports food chains
- it is a habitat for some plants and animals
Name the four types of air.
what percentage it takes up in the air? and what is it used for?
- Oxygen
- 20% of air
- Cellular respiration allows energy to be processed for life processes. - Carbon dioxide
- 0.04% of air
- plants use it and water to make glucose and oxygen during photosynthesis - Nitrogen
- 78% of air
- bacteria converts it into usable form for plants to make protein - Water vapour
- amount varies
- clouds, mist and fog are caused by water vapour in air
What is the climate influence?
Influences the type of plants and animals that live in that area.
What three things does climate include?
- Temperature
- Wind
- Rain
Temperature -
Organisms special adaptations to suit conditions.
Wind (3 things) -
- movement of air caused by temperature differences
- A fixed rate of evaporation affects of availability of water
- vital for seed dispersal and pollination
Rain (2 things) -
- has the greatest influence on diversity and distribution of organisms.
- combination of rain and temperature leads to different climatic conditions
What are the four combinations of climatic conditions.
Hot + dry
Hot + wet
Cold + wet
Cold + dry
Soil and humus:
What is the meaning of loam?
2
- combination of different types of soil
- usually contains humus
Soil and humus:
What is the meaning of humus?
Organic matter that forms when remains of dead plants and animals breakdown
Soil and humus:
What are the factors contribute to soil quality?
- water content
- pH
- earthworm smalls and dung beetles:
- Aerate soil
- return nutrients to soil
- depend on soil for food, protection and shelter
Physiographic factors:
What are the three physical characteristics of land?
- slope
- aspect
- altitude
Physiographic factors:
Slope -
Flat terrain -
Cliff -
If their angle is higher what will the slope be?
= angle of the ground relative to the horizontal
= No slope
= vertical slope
Steeper
Physiographic factors:
What is the aspect
The direction the slope faces
Physiographic factors:
Are north facing slopes (Northern aspect) warmer and dryer or cooler and wetter
Warmer and drier
Physiographic factors:
If the north facing slopes are warmer and drier what will the southern facing (Southern aspect) slopes be?
Cooler and wetter
Physiographic factors:
What is altitude?
The height above sea level