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Biology > Energy and Ecosystems > Flashcards

Energy and Ecosystems Flashcards

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1
Q

What is net production?

A

The rate at which energy is stored.

Gross production - respiratory losses

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2
Q

Why do most food chains have only four or five trophic levels?

A

Insufficient energy is available to support a large enough breeding population at trophic levels higher than these.

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3
Q

Energy transfer =

A

Energy available after transfer/ energy available before transfer x 100

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4
Q

What do ecological pyramids provide?

A

Quantitative information

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5
Q

What are the drawbacks of using number pyramids?

A
  1. No account is taken of size

2. Impossible to account for a larger number of individuals

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6
Q

Define Biomass

A

The total mass of the plants in a particular place

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7
Q

The units of Biomass

A

gm^-2

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8
Q

What is the most accurate representation of energy flow?

A

Measure energy stored in organisms.

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9
Q

Units for pyramid of energy

A

Kjm^-2 year^-1

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10
Q

Define productivity

A

The rate at which something is produced

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11
Q

How is net productivity affected in agricultural ecosystems?

A
  1. Efficiency of the crop at carrying out photosynthesis

2. The area of the ground covered by the leaves of the crop

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12
Q

What are the additional input energies of agriculture?

A

Food and fossil fuels

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13
Q

Define a Pest

A

An organism that competes with humans for food or space or can be dangerous to human health

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14
Q

What are the qualities of an effective pesticide?

A
  1. Be specific
  2. Biodegrade
  3. Cost effective
  4. Not accumulate
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15
Q

What are the disadvantages to Biological control methods of reducing pests?

A
  1. Don’t act as quickly so there’s often an interval between introduction and reduction
  2. A control organism may become a pest
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16
Q

What are the advantages of Biological Control of pests?

A
  1. Very specific
  2. Reproduces itself
  3. Pests don’t become resistant
17
Q

What are the disadvantages of using chemical pesticides?

A
  1. Always have some effect on non-target species
  2. Must be reapplied at intervals -> expensive
  3. Pests develop genetic resistance
18
Q

What does integrated control involve?

A
  1. Choosing animal or plant variants that suit the local area as pest-resistant as possible
  2. Suitable habitats for natural predators
  3. Regular monitoring of crops for pests so early action can be taken
  4. Removing pests mechanically
  5. Biological agents if necessary
  6. Pesticides as a last resort
19
Q

How are many crops grown?

A

Monoculture -> allows insect and fungal pests to spread rapidly

20
Q

Why is intensive rearing of livestock used?

A

Converting the smallest possible amount of food energy into the greatest quantity of animal mass.

21
Q

How is energy conserved in intensive rearing of livestock?

A
  1. Movement is restricted so less energy is used in muscle contraction
  2. Environment is kept warm so less heat loss
  3. Optimum amount and type of food for maximum growth with no wastage
  4. Predators are excluded
  5. Selective breeding
  6. Hormones to increase growth rates
22
Q

What are the benefits of intensive rearing of domestic livestock?

A
  1. Use of space -> more natural habitats
  2. Safety -> smaller, concentrated units are easier to control and regulate
  3. Larger intensive farms have the resources to maintain a high level of animal welfare and are more easily regulated
  4. Low cost
  5. Efficient energy conversion
23
Q

What are the negatives of intensive rearing of domestic livestock?

A
  1. Disease
  2. Antibiotic resistance
  3. Kept unnaturally ethical issue -> stress -> aggressive behaviour animals could harm themselves or each other. Restricted movement can lead to osteoporosis.
  4. Pollution -> large conc. of waste in small area
  5. Reduced genetic diversity
  6. Use of fossil fuels
24
Q

Define Gross Production

A

The total quantity of energy that plants in a community convert to organic matter.

Biology (19 decks)

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