Section B - Ecosystems Flashcards
What is an ecosystem
An ecosystem is a natural system made up of plants, animals and the environment. There are often complex interrelationships between the living and non living components of an eco system
What are the biotic components of an ecosystem
Biotic components are the living features of an ecosystem such as plants and fish
What are the abiotic components of an ecosystem
Abiotic components are the non living environmental factors such as climate (temperature and rainfall), soil, water, temperature and light
What are examples of a local small scale ecosystem
A pond, hedgerow or woodland
What are examples of a global scale ecosystem
A tropical rainforests or deciduous woodland. These local ecosystems are called bioms
What do fresh water pond ecosystems provide?
A variety of habitats (homes) for plants and animals. There are big variations in the amount of light, water and oxygen available in different parts of a pond
What are the main features of fresh water pond ecosystems
At the centre the water is deeper and there will be fish.
Plants like reeds grow in the water around the edge of the pond.
On the surface are ducks and small insects such as water boatman.
At the edges of the pond the water is shallow and there will be plants like water lilies.
On the banks grow grasses, bushes and trees.
What is the role of producers
Producers convert energy from the environment (mainly sunlight) into sugars (glucose). The most obvious producers are plants that convert energy from the sun by photosynthesis
What is the role of consumers
Consumers get energy from the sugars produced by the producers. A pond snail is a good example of a consumer because it eats plants
What is the role of decomposes
Decomposes break down plant and animal material and return the nutrients to the soil. Bacteria and fungi are good examples of decomposes
What does a food chain show
A food chain shows the direct links between producers and consumers in the form of a simple line
What does a food web show
A food web shows all of the connections between producers and consumers on a rather more complex way
What are nutrients
Nutrients are foods that are used by plants or animals to grow
What are the 2 main sources of nutrients
Rainwater washes chemicals out of the atmosphere
Weathered rock releases nutrients into the soil
What is the nutrient cycle
When plants of animals die the decomposes help to recycle the nutrients making them available once again for the growth of plants or animals
What is the fresh water pond food chain?
Detritus (decaying leaves) ➡️
MIDGE LARVA ➡️ GREAT DIVING
BEETLE ➡️ FISH ➡️ HERON
What is the frog tadpoles energy source
Microscopic plants, algae, midge larvae
What is algae’s energy source
Sunlight
What is the sticklebacks energy source
Tadpoles, young fish, water fleas, beetles
What is the herons energy source
Fish, frogs and tadpoles, larger insects
What is the perches energy source
Small fishe (e.g sticklebacks), beetles, water fleas
What is there above the pond surface
FRESHWATER POND ECOSYSTEM
Birds and animals breathe oxygen. Food is found in or on the water, or in margins
What is at the pond surface
FRESHWATER POND ECOSYSTEM
Plenty of oxygen and light here. Animals breath through their gills, lungs or skin
What is at the pond margin
FRESHWATER POND ECOSYSTEM
Plenty of oxygen and light here. Plenty of shelter for the plants and insects for the small animals to eat
What is the pond bottom
FRESHWATER POND ECOSYSTEM
Little oxygen or light. Plenty of shelter (rotting plants and stones) and food. Decomposes and scavengers live here
what is there at mid - water
FRESHWATER POND ECOSYSTEM
Animals breathe through gills or skin. Fish are the main predators. Food is found on the surface or in the pond
What is global and local scale change
Global scale change - climate change, desertification
Local scale change - remove vegetation
What are natural changes of ecosystems
Small and slow changes allow ecosystems to adapt
Rapid events like drought cause huge issues with balance
In drought, vegetation will dry up. Water loses oxygen and organisms die
What are human changes of of ecosystems
When woodland is cleaned, the animals lose their habitat
Farmers might drain and fill ponds to use the land for crops
Run off from fertilisers cause eutrophication
What is eutrophication
Where nitrates help algae grow and remove oxygen from the pond water
What are some key facts from Avington park lake in Winchester
The lake has historical and ecological importance.
The lake hasn’t been maintained for many years and has overgrown.
The view of the lake from the house isn’t appealing.
In 2014 lake restoration began.
Dredged lake bottom and cleared away vegetation.
The restoration has created a healthier and more diverse eco system
What is the location and characteristics of a tropical rainforest
•near the equator
High temperature and heavy rainfall. Rainforests cover 6% of the Earths land surface. 1/4 of all medicine comes from rainforest plants
What is the location and characteristics of the desert
•about 30* north and south of the equator
Deserts cover 1/5 of the worlds land surface. Sinking air stops clouds from forming so sunlight isn’t blocked.
What is the location and characteristics of ‘polar’
•Artic/ Antarctic
Cold air sinks at the north and south poles which results in very low and dry conditions.
What is the location and characteristics of deciduous/ coniferous forests
•roughy 50-60* north of the equator
Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the winter to retain moisture
What is the location and characteristics of ‘tundra’
•from the arctic circle to north of Europe/ Canada
Low growing plants which are adapted to retain heat in the cold conditions. These regions are found in Northern Canada/ Europe
