Populations in ecosystems

Question 1

Self-contained unit made up of the biotic and abiotic factors in an area, can be either small or large

Answer 1

Ecosystem

Question 2

Population

Answer 2

A group of organisms of the same species occupying the same area at the same time that can potentially interbreed.

Question 3

All the population of all the organisms of all different species that live in the same area at the same time

Answer 3

Community

Question 4

The place where an organism normally lives

Answer 4

Habitat

Question 5

Niche

Answer 5

All the conditions and resources required for an organism to survive and reproduce (its ‘role’). Organisms role e.g. position in the food web

Question 6

Sampling a population to eliminate bias e.g. grid square and co-ordinates

Answer 6

Random Sampling

Question 7

Systematic Sampling

Answer 7

Regular sampling across an area e.g. along a straight line transect

Question 8

Method of estimating population size of animals (number in first sample x number in second sample) / marked animals in second sample

Answer 8

Mark-Release-Recapture

Question 9

Abiotic Factors

Answer 9

Concerned with the non-living part of the environment

Question 10

Biotic Factors

Answer 10

Concerned with the living organisms in the ecosystem, interacting together

Question 11

Competition between organisms of different species

Answer 11

Interspecific Competition

Question 12

Competition between organisms of the same species

Answer 12

Intraspecific Competition

Question 13

Succession

Answer 13

The changes in an ecosystem, over time, of the species that occupy it

Question 14

A species that can colonize bare rock or ground. First species to colonize. adapted to survive in harsh abiotic factors

Answer 14

Pioneer Species

Question 15

The stable, final, community that exists in a balanced equilibrium that makes up the final stage of succession. Abiotic factors are more or less constant over time.

Answer 15

Climax Community

Question 16

Conservation

Answer 16

Management of the Earth’s natural resources in such a way that maximum use can be made of them in the future

Question 17

Carrying capacity

Answer 17

The maximum population size an ecosystem can support

Question 18

A process whereby a species moves to a new area

Answer 18

colonization

Question 19

Adaptation

Answer 19

A feature that members of species have that increases their chance of survival and reproduction

Question 20

Ecology

Answer 20

The study of inter-relationships between organisms and their environment

Question 21

Smaller units within each habitat, each with their own microclimate

Answer 21

Microhabitat

Question 22

No two species occupy exactly the same niche

Answer 22

Competitive exclusion principle

Question 23

The infertile offspring when two different species interbreed

Answer 23

Hybrid

Question 24

Transect

Answer 24

A linear sampling tool that is usually used along an environmental gradient

Question 25

Standard Deviation

Answer 25

The spread of values of the mean. Bar graph

Question 26

Sere

Answer 26

A complete succession from pioneer community to climax community, and a seral stage is a particular stage in this succession with its own distinctive community of organisms