LS notes Flashcards
Biosphere?
Place where all living organisms occur and sustains life.
Atmosphere?
Here life exists in the air.
Humidity
Precipitation
Wind
Water vapour
1. Nitrogen- manufacture protein
2. Oxygen- cellular respiration
3. Carbon Dioxide- photosynthesis
Lithosphere?
Where life exists in the soil.
Soil type
pH levels
Provides habitat
Hydrosphere?
Where life exists in water.
Salinity
Temperature
Ecology?
Study of relationships between living organisms and the environment they live in
Biotic?
Organisms that are living or was living.
Abiotic?
Non-living.
Species?
Organisms that are the same and are able to breed fertile offspring.
Population?
Organisms of the same species living in the same area and the same time and are able to breed.
Community?
Different populations in the same area.
Biome?
An area where species are adapted to climate.
Ecosystem?
An area where there is an interdependent relationship organism and their environment.
Biodiversity?
Variety of species in an area.
Indigenous?
Species that exist in their natural environment.
Endemic?
Species found in one area only.
Biomes?
- Savannah
- Desert
- Grassland
- Forest
- Nama-Karoo
- Succulent Karoo
- Fynbos
Fynbos?
Found southern most area of SA (Western Cape). Unique vegetation. Wildfires- recycle nutrients, remove dead matter making space for new growth, essential for protea seed germination.
Biome features?
Defined geographical region
Several ecosystems
Distinct climate
Fynbos plants?
Ericas- fine leaves rolled inward that reduce surface area for transpiration.
Proteas-large leaves and spectacular blooms. King Protea
Restios- tough, strong stems
Geophytes- underground storage bulbs attracts tourists.
Abiotic Factors in Ecosystems? Climate
1.Climate
-Light some plants are Sun-lovinf and others are shade-loving. Leads to stratification.
-Heat at different latitudes climate is different. Hotter at equator.
-Water all cells have cytoplasms made mostly of water all organisms need water to survive.
-Gases Nitrogen protein, Oxygen respiration Co2 photosynthesis
-Wind for pollination and dispersal of seeds. It increases transpiration and redistributes clouds for rain.
Hot climate adaptations?
Thin fur
Less blubber
Sweat more
Nocturnal too avoid hot day
Cold climate adaptations?
Thick fur
Sweat less
More blubber
Hibernation
Migration to avoid winter
Ectotherms?
Animals that get warmth from environment.
Endotherms?
Animals that get warmth through respiration.
Xerophytes?
Thick cuticle
Rosette
Sunken stomata
Deep roots
Hydrophytes?
Stomata on top surface of floating leaves
Many air spaces in leaves
Abiotic Factor Edaphic ?
Sand- large particle size and air spaces and capillary water drains quickly. Organic matter washes through particles
Loam- Capillary water fills air spaces available for absorption. Organic matter is retained making it rich in humus.
Clay- hygroscopic attached to soil particles. Tiny air spaces waterlogged easily. Organic matter washes over.
Soil Acidity?
Bacteria thrives in basic. And fungi thrives in acids. Acids at top soil because water filters to bottom. Acid loving plant roots shallow and deep for alkaline loving plants
Humus?
Sticky substance that forms when de composers break down dead organic matter in the soil. Enriches soil.
Hygroscopic water?
Thin layer of water around soil particle.
Abiotic Factor Physiographic?
Slope steepness- Gentle slope rain washes slowly. Less erosion and more negation and lots of infiltration. Steep slope rain washes quickly more erosion less vegetation.
Altitude-height above sea level. Less O2 and Co2 and more colder.
Aspect-direction of slope. North facing hotter and less vegetation with xerophytes. South facing more vegetation and cooler mesospheres. More rain seaward side of escarpment.
Producers?
Autotrophs. Photosynthesis to make Thor own food.
Consumers?
Heterotrophs?
Decomposers?
Fungi and Bacteria are saprophytes and absorb dead organic matter
Why is food web more realistic?
More than one source of energy and more stable ecosystem.
Pyramid of energy?
Amount of energy at each trophic level.
Pyramid of biomass?
Dried mass at each trophic level.
Pyramid of numbers?
Number of organisms at each trophic level?
