natural systems Flashcards
renewable energy
energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed
sustainable development
development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
biotic
living organisms
abiotic
non living features in an environment
organisms
individual living things
species
a group of organisms of the same type, capable of interbreeding
population
group of organisms of the same species living together in one area
community
number of populations of different species living together in a particular environment
habitat
specific place within an ecosystem that is occupied by and organisms or population
atmosphere
a gaseous envelope of air surrounding the earth
hydrosphere
all water on the earth, including vapour, oceans and ice caps
lithosphere
the soil and rocky crust of the earth and core of molten rock
water cycle
- Plants absorb water from soil and use it during photosynthesis
- Excess water is released back into atmosphere via transpiration
- animals release water into atmosphere
- precipitation(rain, hail, snow)
food chain
the order of events in an ecosystem, where one living organisms eats another organisms and later that organisms in consumed by another larger organism
food web
all of the food chains in an ecosystem
decomposers
breakdown organic material and use the decomposition products to supply themselves with energy
producers
autotrophs manufacture complex inorganic substances, using the energy of sunlight
consumers
heterotrophs, use the bodies of other organisms as a source of food energy
Short term change - day to night
once the sunsets the temperature decreases and this leads to changes in speed and direction of wind
nocturnal
active at night
diurnal
active during day
short term changes - seasons
movement of people across a landscape often is dictated by seasonal changes
natural changes can be used to people advantages
different seasons attract different flora and fauna
short term changes - tides
The rise and fall of the sea levels are caused by the combined effects of gravitational forces exerted by moon and sun and the rotation of the earth
most costal zones have 2 high and 2 low tides
short term changes - flood
floods is a natural part of the water cycle
many flood management strategies have negative effect on the environment
flooding can be essential to reproductive cycle of plants
short term changes - drought
prolonged abnormal dry period when the amount of available water is insufficient to meet normal use
impacts economy and agriculture production
long term changes - migration
occurs when species move from one location to another in response to changes in habitat
patterns are linked to climate and food availability
long term changes - succession
the process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time
primary succession
when a community is established where it has never been before
secondary succession
when a community that develops over time is similar to original community
long term changes - climate change
there is an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, a small change in temperature can result in climate change
