Living World Flashcards
Abiotic
Relating to non-living things
Biotic
Relating to living things
Consumer
Creature that eats animals or plant matter
Decomposer
An organism such as bacteria or fungus, that breaks down dead tissue, which is then recycled to the environment
Ecosystem
A community of plants and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment
Food chain
The connections between different organisms the rely on one another as their source of food
Food web
A complex hierarchy of plants and animals relying on each other for food
Nutrient cycling
A set processes whereby organisms extract minerals necessary for growth from soil and water, before passing them on through the food chain - and ultimately back to the soil and water
Global ecosystem
Very large ecological areas on the earth’s surface (or biomes), with fauna and flora (animals and plants) adapting to their environment. Examples include tropical rainforest and hot desert
Producer
An organism or plant that is able to absorb energy from the sun through photosynthesis
Biodiversity
The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat
Commercial farming
Farming to sell produce for a profit to retailers or food processing companies
Debt reduction
Countries are relieved of some of their debt in return for protecting their rainforest
Deforestation
The chopping down and removal of trees to clear an area of forest
Ecotourism
Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the wellbeing of the local people, and may involve education. It is usually carried out in small groups and has minimal impact on the local ecosystem
Logging
The business of cutting down trees and transporting the logs to sawmills
Mineral extraction
The removal of solid mineral resources from the earth. These resources include ores, which contain commercially valuable amounts of metals, such as iron and aluminium; precious stones, such as diamonds; building stones, such as granite; and solid fuels, such as coal shale.
Selective logging
The cutting out of trees which are mature or inferior, to encourage the growth of the remaining trees in a forest or wood
Soil erosion
Removal of topsoil faster than it can be replaced, due to natural (water and wind action), animal, and human activity. Topsoil is the top layer of soil and is the most fertile because it contains the organic, nutrient-rich materials
Subsistence farming
A type of agriculture producing food and materials for the benefit only of the farmer and his farming.
Sustainability
Actions and forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
