Genetics, Populations, Evolution & Ecosystems (3.7) Flashcards
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Define an abiotic factor
A non-living / physical / chemical factor
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
List examples of abiotic factors
soil pH
temperature
salinity (concentration of salt)
carbon dioxide concentration
humidity
light intensity
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Define a biotic factor
Living / biological factor
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
List examples of biotic factors
predator
prey / food
disease
presence of opposite sex
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Define a population
Groups of organisms of the same species living in the same habitat / ecosystem at the same time;
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
TRUE OR FALSE
Organisisms of the same species that make up a population have the potential to interbreed
TRUE
They will produce fertile offspring
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Define a community
All the populations of the different species in the same habitat / ecosystem at the same time.
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Define ecological niche
The role played by an organism in a
habitat/ecosystem governed by adaptations to biotic/abiotic factors.
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Different species occupy different ecological niches.
Explain the advantage of species occupying different niches (1 mark).
Reduced (interspecific) competition for food/resources
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Define carrying capacity
Certain size of population of a species that can be supported by the ecosystem
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
What can reduce carrying capacity?
Habitat loss;
Reductions in food availability;
Increases in the number of predators;
Disease
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Define an ecosystem
The interaction between a community and the abiotic components of the environment
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Competition between organisms of the same species is known as _________________ competition
intraspecific
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Competition between organisms of different species is known as _________________ competition
interspecific
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
What term is used to describe populations of different species living in the same habitat?
Community
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Describe what typical patterns emerge when plotting the population sizes of predators and their prey over time.
As prey populations increase, there is an increased availability of food for the predator population;
This causes a (delayed) increase in predator population;
Due to the increase in predators, the prey population
will decline;
A decline in prey populations leads to a shortage of food for the predators, and over time their population will also decline;
This decline reduces the predation on the prey population, allowing for interbreeding and an increase in the population size
(and repeat)
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
In northern India, there is a conflict of interests between farmers of livestock (eg cows) and people trying to conserve ibex (a type of wild goat).
When livestock are given extra food, their populations can grow too large and compete with ibex.
Name the type of competition between livestock and ibex.
Interspecific
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
The sundew is a small flowering plant, growing in wet habitats such as bogs and marshes.
Describe how you could estimate the size of a population of sundews in a small marsh (5 marks).
1. Use a grid
2. Method of obtaining random coordinates/numbers e.g. random numbers generator;
3. Count number/frequency in a quadrat;
4. Large sample (20 or more) and calculate mean number (per quadrat/section);
5. Valid method of calculating total number of sundews, e.g. mean number of plants per m2 multiplied by number of m2 in marsh;
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Describe how you would determine the mean percentage cover for beach grass on a sand dune (3 marks).
1. Method of randomly determining position (of quadrats) e.g. random numbers generator;
2. Large number of quadrats (20 or more);
3. Divide total percentage by number of quadrats;
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Describe how the mark-release-recapture method could be used to determine the population of A. aegypti (a species of mosquito) at the start of the investigation (3 marks).
1. Capture sample, mark and release;
2. Leave time for mosquitoes to disperse before second sampling / collection;
3. (Population =) number in first sample × number in second sample divided by number of marked in second sample / number recaptured;
3. Accept: correct equation.
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Outline a method the ecologists could have used to determine the plant species richness at one site (3 marks).
- A method of selecting sampling sites at random;
- Use of quadrat;
- Identify (plant) species (at site / in each quadrat)
OR Count number of different plant species in each quadrat / site;
Reject refs to % cover, or counting individuals
Species richness = all the different species (AS content)
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
Anolis sagrei is a species of lizard that is found on some of the smallest Caribbean islands.
Describe how you could use the mark-release-recapture method to estimate the number of Anolis sagrei on one of these islands (3 marks).
1. Capture sample, mark and release;
2. Method of marking does not make it more visible to predators (i.e. does not affect survivial the lizards);
3. Leave sufficient time for lizards to (randomly) distribute (on island) before collecting a second sample;
4. (Population =) number in first sample × number in second sample divided by number of marked lizards in second sample / number recaptured.
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
In addition to a quadrat, what piece of equipment do you need to undertake systematic sampling?
A line / belt transect
Populations in ecosystems (AO1)
What type of analysis can systematic sampling using a line or belt transect allow you to undertake?
The impact of an environmental gradient on a population size.