Populations in Ecosystems Flashcards
Define Ecology
study of inter-relationships between organisms and their environment
What two things should you consider in an ecosystem
the flow of energy through the system
cycling of elements within the system
Define Population
group of individuals of one species that occupy the same habitat at the same time and can potentially interbreed
Define Carrying capacity
size of the population that an ecosystem can support
How can carrying capacity vary?
affect of abiotic factors
interactions between organisms
Define community
all the populations of different species living and interacting in a particular place at a particular time
Define Habitat
where an organism usually lives, characterised by physical conditions and other organisms present.
What do habitats contain inside them?
microhabitats
Define niche
How an organism fits into the environment where an organism lives and what it does there
What is the competitive exclusion principle?
no two species occupy the same niche
Define Environment
conditions surrounding an organism including abiotic and biotic factors
m
m
Name 4 abiotic factors
Temperature
light
pH
H2o/ humaidity
Describe the effect of the factor: Temperature
enzymes slow work/ decreases metabolism
enzymes undergo denaturation
decreased carrying capacity
Describe the effect of the factor: Light intensity
On plants and the ecosystem
as intensity increases
the rate of photosynthesis increases
faster growth and production of seed
increased carrying capacity
Describe the effect of the factor: pH
affects enzyme action
Describe the effect of the factor: H2o and humidity
affects transpiration rates and evaporation
Name the two types of competition
Intraspecific and interspecific
Define Intraspecfic competiton and name some examples
availability of resources determines the population size and degrees of competition
eg. limpet for algae
the tree for mineral ions
birds for breeding mates and territory
Define Interspecific competiton and name some examples
as the population of one species increases the other decreases
if this remains the same the species can be removed hence the species that sues the resources the most effectively will eliminate the other
When talking about competition what you you link to?
birth and death rate
more food could mean bigger birds not more of them
