KEY AREA 1: Ecosystems Flashcards
Definition for ecosystem?
Consists of all the organisms (the community) living in a particular habitat and the non-living components with which the organisms interact…
Definition for habitat?
Where an organism lives
Definition for community?
All the species that live together with in the ecosystem
Definition for population?
An individual species within an ecosystem
Definition for niche?
The role an organism plays within a community
What is species?
species is a group of similar organisms that can reproduce to have fertile off spring
Competition in ecosystems (biotic factors)
- Competition occurs when resources are in short supply
- Organisms can compete for food, space, light, habitat, mates etc
- There are two types of competition intErspecific and intrAspecific
What is competition?
Competition in ecosystems occur when resources are in short supply
What do animals compete for?
- food
- water
- habitat
- mates
What do plants compete for?
- light
- water
- soil nutrients
- space to grow
What are the two types of competition?
- intErspecific
- intrAspecific
What is intErspecific competition?
It’s competition between individuals of different species competing for one or a few of the resources they require
What is intrAspecific competition?
It’s competition between individuals of the same species competing for one of a few of the resources they require
What’s more intense intErspecific or intrAspecific?
IntrAspecific competition is more intense
Definition of biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the number of different species in an area of ecosystems
