Habitat Study Flashcards
Ecology
The branch of biology that studies the relationships of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings
Why is ecology important
- provides knowledge about the way the earth works
- evidence of interdependence between ppl and nature
- gives scientist a systematic way to monitor the effects of industrial developments on local habitats
Habitat
The natural environment where a particular organism lives
Eg birds nest in a tree, worms in the soil
Factors that determine whether a species will survive or not
Climate , food in habitat
Competition
Community
All the animals and plants that live in a particular area and shade the resources in that area
Niche
The role of a species in a community, how it fits in and how it interacts with other organisms.
helps keep the ecosystem healthy
Eg rabbit eats grass and may be eaten by a fox
Abiotic factors
Non living influences that affect organisms in their habitats
Examples of abiotic factors
Air and soil temperature
Soil PH
Light intensity - light sensor
Producers
Green plants that can make their own food using the process of photosynthesis
Key
Asks question about the organism that you want to identify that will help you to identify it
Consumers
Organisms that feed on other organisms for their food
3 apparatus used to catch consumers
Pooter, beating tray, pitfall trap
Decomposers
Organisms that break down dead plants and animals into materials that go back into the soil
Adaptation
The way in organism is suited to survive in its environment
Examples of adaptation
Grassland : buttercups have bright yellow petals to attract insect pollinators
Earthworms are a dark colour for camouflage
Competition
The interaction between intraspecific or interspecific organisms for resources that are in short or limited supply
Eg red and gray squirrel (gray is stronger)
Grass and daisies
Interdependence
The way one thing relies on another
Eg nettle-caterpillar-blackbird
Buttercups depends on bees to pollinate them
How is a food chain an example of interdependence
If the producer at the beginning of a food chain dies, the red of the organisms are in danger of dying off bc of a lack of food
Quadrat
Open square of wood , 50x50cm
