SB9 Flashcards
What is ecology
The study of ecosystems
What is an ecosystem
They are made up of the habitat (non - living) and the community (plants and animals)
What is the population
All the organisms of one species in a habitat
What is the community
All the organisms of different species living in a habitat ~ a non - living part of the ecosystem
What is biodiversity
The variety of living organisms in an ecosystem
What is a niche
The role/job of an organism
What are species
Group of similar organisms that reproduce to make fertile offspring
What are biotic factors
All the other living organisms in an ecosystem- predators/ prey/ competitors
What are abiotic factors
Non - living factors affecting organisms in an environment- temperature, rainfall, pH, minerals in soil and drought
What are natural ecosystems
Humans don’t control it/don’t have anything to do with it
E.g woodland or oceans
What are artificial ecosystems
Humans do control it
E.g fish farms
How can you collect/ sample organisms
Quadrants, pit -fall traps, long worth mammal traps, sweep nets, dip nets, pooters
What do plants need
Water, space, oxygen, warmth, mineral ions and co2
What do animals need
Space, oxygen, food and water
What is interdependence
When species depend on each other for resources
What is a trophic level
Each step or level along a food chain
What are producers
All plants, since they convert light energy into food energy
What is biomass
How much all the creatures at 1 trophic level weigh
What is the difference between pyramids of biomass and pyramids of numbers
Pyramids of numbers are always the right shape where as pyramids of numbers aren’t
What is energy measured in
J (joules) or kJ (kilojoules)
Can energy be created or destroyed
No it only changes from one form/type to another.
What is the efficiency formula
Efficiency = energy available to the next level
—————————————
energy that was available or the previous level
X 100
What is the efficiency
How good it is at passing on energy from one level to the next
What is the original source of energy in an ecosystem
The sun