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Environmental Science > Ecosystems & Biomes > Flashcards

Ecosystems & Biomes Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Ecosystem

A

The living and non-living things in an environment

EX: a neighborhood

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2
Q

2 Starting Points of Energy

A
  1. the sun

2. earth’s core

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3
Q

Photosynthesis

A

Opposite of cellular respiration
Anabolic (small molecules combined)
Energonic (stores energy)
Only in producers

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4
Q

Cellular Respiration

A

Opposite of photosynthesis
Catabolic (molecules broken)
Exergonic (releases energy)
For plants & animals

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5
Q

Autotrophs

A

Trap energy from sunlight and use it to synthesis starch / glucose in process called photosynthesis
Producers

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6
Q

Chemosynthesis

A

Used by “special producers”
Get energy from earth’s core
Make food via chemical reactions
EX: extremophiles

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7
Q

Consumers

A

Heterotrophs must obtain nutrients from plants & other animals

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8
Q

Herbivores

A

Only eats plants

EX: cows, rabbits

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9
Q

Carnivores

A

Only eat meat

EX: snakes, lions, owls

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10
Q

Omnivores

A

Eat both plants and animals

EX: humans, bears

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11
Q

Scavengers

A

Eats scraps, do not hunt

EX: gulls, vulture

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12
Q

Detritivores

A

Breaks down decaying plant / animal material through chemical
EX: bacteria, fungus

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13
Q

Prey

A

An animal that is hunted by another for food
EX: salmon
Key feauture is eyes on side of their face to watch their environment

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14
Q

Predator

A

Organism that primarily obtains food by killing & consuming other organisms
EX: grizzly bears
Key feature is front facing eyes to narrow in on prey

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15
Q

Gaia Hypothesis

A

Living organisms interact with their inorganic surrundings on Earth to form a self-regulating complex system that helps to maintain and perpetuate the conditions for life on the planet
- life maintains conditions suitable for its own survival

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16
Q

Trophic Levels

A

Position that organism occupies in food chain / position group of organisms in community occupy in food chains

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17
Q

Trophic Level 1

A

Producer

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18
Q

Trophic Level 2

A

Herbivore

primary consumers

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19
Q

Trophic Level 3

A

Carnivore / Omnivore

secondary consumer

20
Q

Trophic Level 4

A

Carnivore

tertiary consumer

21
Q

Food Web

A

Chain that is interconnected with other organisms

22
Q

Pyramid of Biomass

A

Relationship of the mass (amount) of organisms

23
Q

Pyramid of Numbers

A

Records number of individuals at each trophic level

24
Q

Energy Pyramid / Pyramid of Productivity

A

Shows flow of energy throughout each trophic level
First layer (autotrophs) have the most energy
Only 10% of energy in one trophic level is transferred to the next due to loss in heat & metabolism

25
Q

Zonation

A

How an ecosystem changes over an environmental gradient

26
Q

Niches

A

Change with

  • altitude
  • temperature
  • precipitation
  • solar insolation
  • soil type
  • species interactions (including humans)
27
Q

Bioaccumulation

A

Build up of persistent or non-biodegradable pollutants within an organism

28
Q

Biomagnification

A

Patterns of toxic buildup as trophic levels increase because they cannot be broken down
- can disrupt flow of energy in ecosystem and lead to collapse

29
Q

Primary Succession

A 
Occurs on bare abiotic surfaces (no soil)
Stages:
Bare land
1. Colonization - Pioneer Organisms
2. Establishment
3. Competition
4. Stabilization
5. Climax Community
30
Q

Secondary Succession

A

Occurs when an established ecosystem is destroyed (soil still developed and present)
EX: fire, flood, human activity
Stages:
1. Seeds blow in & cover ground
2. Smalll shrubs start to colonize
3. Eventually trees establish resulting in mature soil & climax community

31
Q

Biome

A

Collection of ecosystems sharing similar climactic conditions

32
Q

5 Major Biomes

A
  1. Aquatic (freshwater & marine)
  2. Forest (tropical, deciduous, coniferous)
  3. Grassland (savanna, temperate)
  4. Desert
  5. Tundra (arctic & alpine)
33
Q

Why Biomes Form There

A
  • Altitude: higher you rise from sea level, colder the temperaure
  • Ocean & wind currents: distributes heat energy from equator back into poles
  • Precipitation to Evaporation ratio: when the same, P/E ratio is about 1, soil is rich and fertile
34
Q

Tropical Rainforest

A 
Location:
- near equator
Abiotic factors:
- little variation in temperatures
- no distinct seasonal changes
- high biodiversity & biomass
- hot & moist
- about 100 in/yr of rainfall
Biotic factors
- plants grow in layers
- animals are specialists
- many symbiotic relationships
Threats:
- logging, cattle ranching
- civilizations of people without homes
Promote sustainable use of rainforests' products
35
Q

Savannas / Grasslands

A 
Location:
- tropics
Abiotic Factors:
- amount of precipitation supports tall grasses but only occasional trees
- rainy & dry season
- fire plays large role in plants resistance to drought
- plants w thorns & sharp leaves against predation
- animals migrate to follow scarce food
Threats:
- invasive species
- changes in fire management
- rises in sea level (global warming)
36
Q

Desert

A 
Location:
- depends
Abiotic Factors:
- little to no topsoil due to high winds
- minerals not deep in soil
- too dry for decay
- cannot support grass
- hot days & cold nights
Biotic Factors:
- vegetation (cacti) waxy coating & shallow roots
- animals (camel, cobras, lizards) (many nocturnal to avoid light)
Threats:
- residential development
- offroad recreational activities
- some plants removed by collectors
37
Q

Steppe / Prairies

A 
Location:
- Russia, Ukraine, US
- dry, cold, grasslands
Abiotic Factors:
- low precipitation, high winds
- mountains
Biotic Factors:
- plants grow in bunches to preserve water
- many migrate, hibernate, burrow during extremes in temp & precipitation
Threats:
- overgrazing
- infastructure development
- unmanaged hunting & poaching
38
Q

Chaparral

A 
Location:
- coastal areas w Mediterranean climate
Abiotic Factors:
- climate = hot, dry summers
mild, wet winters
- slight variations in seasonal temperatures
Biotic Factors:
- camouflage to avoid predation
- animals change diet as season changes
Threats:
- human development
39
Q

Temperate / Deciduous Forest

A 
Location:
- temperate zone
- much of human population lives here
Abiotic Factors:
- deep soil layers, rich in nutrients
- precipitation (snow, rain, hail, fog, etc)
- abundance of deciduous trees
- 4 seasons
Biotic Factors:
- more ground dwelling plants (more sun)
- animals adapt to seasons (shed coat, hibernate, etc)
Threats:
- deforestation
Careful use of resources
40
Q

Taiga: Coniferous / Boreal Forest

A 
Location:
- northern hemisphere
Abiotic Factors:
- winters long & cold
- soil poor in nutrients & very acidic
- short growing season
Biotic Factors:
- plants have needles (conifer trees)
- animals have thick coats and hibernate during extreme cold
Threats:
- mining operations
- pollution
41
Q

Tundra: Ice Caps

A 
Location:
- north of Arctic Circle
Abiotic Factors:
- temp rarely higher than 10º C
- permafrost layer
- short growing season
Biotic Factors:
- plants with shallow roots
- short trees
- animals wth small ears, insulation, thick coat
Threats:
- one of most fragile biomes
- oil drilling
42
Q

Freshwater Ecosystems

A 
Abitoic Factors:
- low / no salinity
- lakes are deepest of fresh water system, fed by underground aquifer / streams
- ponds fed by rainwater & may be seasonal
Biotic Factors:
- plants are floating (algae)
- animals live in / by water
Threats:
- pollution
43
Q

Marshes and Swamps

A 
Abiotic Factors: 
- water recharge areas, removing pollutants
- watertypes = brackish, freshwater
- found on flat, poorly drained land
- often near streams
- very shallow w land occasionally exposed
Biotic Factors:
- large trees / shrubs
- adapted to muddy soils
Threats:
- backfilling / clearing for farmland
44
Q

Rivers

A

Abiotic Factors:
- cold & highly oxygenated
- as it flows it will broaden out, warm up
Biotic Factors:
- unique life at dif points bc of water depth & temperature
Threats:
- disposing of waste products
- runoff from homes = changes in acidity, pollution
- dams alter water flow

45
Q

Estuaries

A
  • where fresh & saltwater meet
    Threats:
  • pollution from ports
  • humans
46
Q

Coral Reefs

A 
Abiotic Factors:
- close to equator
- consistent water temp
Biotic Factors:
- most diverse aquatic ecosystem
Threats:
- temp is essential, not too hot, not too cold
- human intrusion (scuba diving)
- pollution
47
Q

Oceans

A

Abiotic Factors:
- open ocean = one of least productive areas on earth
- covers nearly 3/4 of earth’s surface
Biotic Factors:
- organisms vastly different depending on zone

Environmental Science (5 decks)

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