Gcse- Ecosystems Flashcards
What is an ecosystem?
A natural system which life cycles of plants and animals are closely linked to each other.
What does a living environment include?
Water in form of rain or stored in soil.
Solar energy, sun being primary source.
Rocks that provide nutrients which may be permeable.
Soil that varies in depth, acidity, nutrients and fertility.
Why are nutrients recycled?
Some nutrients are continually circulated within the ecosystem and so are part of a closed system. Cycle consists of plants taking up nutrients and then animals consuming plants and taking nutrients
How can ecosystems be damaged?
They can be damaged in short time by human activity
What does a decidous woodland ecosystem consist of?
Tallest layer- 30-40 metres high, trees like oak, ash and beech.
Middle layer- 5-15 metres, including smaller trees and shrubs.
Ground layer- includes bracken, brambles and grass.
What are inputs in deciduous woodland ecosystem?
Solar energy and carbon dioxide
What are the outputs in deciduous woodland ecosystem?
Evapotranspiration and oxygen
Characteristics of tropical rainforest.
Grow in places with equatorial climate.
Trees have to adapt to constant high temperature, rainfall and continuous growing system.
Large buttress roots stand above ground to support trees.
Only 1% of light reaches ground layer, so shrubs and brambles have to adapt to conditions.
Name different vegetation layers
Emergent- birds, insects and butterflies
Main canopy- birds, monkeys and sloths
Under canopy- insects and sloths
Shrub layer- alligators, insects, mosquitoes and frogs
What does a coniferous forest consist of?
Stands of spruce, pine and fir.
Most common trees are Norwegian spruce and Scots pine.
Trees need to adapt to long freezing winters, strong winds, cool summers, thin soil.
