More T2 2024

Question 1

Ecosystem:

Answer 1

a system formed by the interaction of all living organisms with each other and with the physical elements of the environment in which they live.

Question 2

Diverse ecosystems:

Answer 2

as a result of unique biophysical interactions at varying scales, the interaction of the biotic and abiotic elements results in ‘diverse’ ecosystems.

Question 3

Ecosystem functioning:

Answer 3

the ability of an ecosystem to capture, store and transfer energy, nutrients and water throughout the system.
* This depends on 2 key processes: energy flows and nutrients cycling.

Question 4

Climax community:

Answer 4

an ecological community that has reached the final stage of ecological succession and cannot support additional flora and fauna.

Question 5

Vulnerability:

Answer 5

Ecosystems lack ability to/ or are slow to develop or regenerate after change.

Question 6

Resilience:

Answer 6

speed with which ecosystems recover their more usual values after disturbance  elasticity.

Question 7

Ecosystems at risk:

Answer 7

ecosystem subject to difficult environmental conditions or slow to regenerate after change.

Question 8

Dynamic equilibrium:

Answer 8

when stability is achieved in an ecosystem through a continual state of balanced change (ecological balance)