LC Ecology Flashcards
Sun
Primary source of energy for our planet
Feeding
Allows energy to be passed on in an ecosystem from one organism to the next
2 types of feeding
Producer (autotrophs)
Consumer (heterotrophs)
Producer
Organism that carried out photosynthesis
Consumer
Organism that takes in food from another organism
Chemical equation for photosynthesis
CO2 + H2O -Sun+Chlorophyll-> Food(Glucose) + O2
Chemical equation for energy release in plants
Food + O2 -> CO2 + H2O + a Energy
Examples of producers
Plants
Seaweed (algae)
Some bacteria
Types of consumers
Herbivore Carnivore Omnivore Detritus feeder Decomposer Scavenger
Herbivore
Eats plants only e.g rabbit
Carnivore
Eats animals only e.g lion
Omnivore
Eats both plants and animals e.g humans
Detritus feeder
Feeds on remains of dead and decomposing organisms e.g maggots
Decomposer
Feeds on dead organic matter e.g bacteria
Scavenger
Feeds on animals killed by another source
Grazing food chain
Starts with a living plant
Detritus food chain
Starts with dead organic matter
Trophic level
The feeding stage of an organism in a food chain
Example of a grazing food chain
Grass-> Rabbit-> Fox
Example of a detritus food chain
Fallen leaves -> Earthworm -> Black bird -> Cat
Food web
A series of interlinked food chains
Food chain
A one to one series of organisms, with each organism feeding on the previous member
Niche
The role an organism plays in the community
Pyramid of numbers
A representation of the number of organisms at each trophic level
Example of a niche
Top predator lion
Capture Recapture method
Method of estimating the number of animals in a habitat
Steps to the Capture Recapture method
- Trap a number of animals. Record how many + mark each one.
- Release the animal again.
- 2-3 days later trap more of the same type of animal.
- Record how many you catch and how many have marks.
- Estimate the population by using the population estimate formula.
Population estimate formula
C1 + C2 / M2 ( C1 = Number Caught 1st time, C2 = Number Caught 2nd time, M2 = Number marked 2nd time)
2 main elements in nutrient cycle
Carbon cycle
Nitrogen cycle
2 main causes of global warming
Burning of fossil fuels
Deforestation
Nutrient recycling
The way in which elements are exchanged between the living and non-living components of an ecosystem.
The use of nitrogen
Production of: protein DNA RNA Nucleic acid
Nitrogen in the cycle
Nitrogen in the air is inert and can’t be used by plants and animals directly.
Nitrogen fixation
Process of converting nitrogen gas into ammonia, ammonium and nitrate
Nitrogen fixation is carried out by who/what?
bacteria in the soil,
lightning
volcanic activity
Decomposition
Dead plants and animals are broken down by fungi and bacteria. This process produces ammonia.
Nitrification
Conversion of ammonia and ammonium to nitrites then to nitrates
Denitrification
Conversion of nitrates to nitrogen gas
Four processes in the nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen fixation, decomposition, nitrification, denitrification
Pollution
Any harmful addition to the environment
Pollutant
Harmful additions to the environment
Conservation
The wise management of the existing natural resources in an ecosystem, in order to maintain a wide range of habitats and prevents the death and extinction of organism
Ozone depletion: pollutant
CFC
Ozone depletion:Effects of CFC
Increases skin cancer, cataracts, weaken immunity
Damages crops and plants
Plankton depletion: effects food chain, possibly less oxygen
Ozone depletion: Control CFC
Replaced w/hydrofluorocarbons
Products containing CFC should not be used
Fridges are disposed in an environmentally friendly way
Slurry
Liquid waste produced by animals
Eutrophication
Addition of nutrients to fresh water
Waste management:agriculture
Slurry is dumped in lakes algae grows (algal bloom)
When it dies it absorbs oxyegn -> oxygen depletion
Causes eutrophication
Animals die
Slurry is spread on dry land during the summer for the provision of nutrients
Waste management: Fisheries
Remains: heads, tails, fins, intestines, diluted blood, etc.
Pulped and dried
Fed to pigs or used as fertilizer
Waste management: Forestry
Treetops and sawdust - processed to make wood products
Small branches - forest floor help machines move
Stumps, roots - rot naturally, feed for the next generation of trees
Problems with waste disposal
Spread of disease in water supplies
Nutrients from waste in water -> eutrophication
Landfill - unsightly, attracts rats
Incinerators - release toxic fumes
Sewage: primary treatment
Screened
Filtered
Removes large objects
Sewage: Secondary treatment
Biological treatment
Bacteria and fungi breaks down most of the organic matter
Remains treated with chloride
Sewage: Tertiary Treatment
Remove mineral nutrient e.g phosphate and nitrate
