Section B - Ecosystems Flashcards

1
Q

What is an ecosystem

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the biotic components of an ecosystem

A

Biotic components are the living features of an ecosystem such as plants and fish

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the abiotic components of an ecosystem

A

Abiotic components are the non living environmental factors such as climate (temperature and rainfall), soil, water, temperature and light

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are examples of a local small scale ecosystem

A

A pond, hedgerow or woodland

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are examples of a global scale ecosystem

A

A tropical rainforests or deciduous woodland. These local ecosystems are called bioms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What do fresh water pond ecosystems provide?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the main features of fresh water pond ecosystems

A

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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the role of producers

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the role of consumers

A

Consumers get energy from the sugars produced by the producers. A pond snail is a good example of a consumer because it eats plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the role of decomposes

A

Decomposes break down plant and animal material and return the nutrients to the soil. Bacteria and fungi are good examples of decomposes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does a food chain show

A

A food chain shows the direct links between producers and consumers in the form of a simple line

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does a food web show

A

A food web shows all of the connections between producers and consumers on a rather more complex way

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are nutrients

A

Nutrients are foods that are used by plants or animals to grow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the 2 main sources of nutrients

A

Rainwater washes chemicals out of the atmosphere

Weathered rock releases nutrients into the soil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the nutrient cycle

A

When plants of animals die the decomposes help to recycle the nutrients making them available once again for the growth of plants or animals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the fresh water pond food chain?

A

Detritus (decaying leaves) ➡️

MIDGE LARVA ➡️ GREAT DIVING

BEETLE ➡️ FISH ➡️ HERON

17
Q

What is the frog tadpoles energy source

A

Microscopic plants, algae, midge larvae

18
Q

What is algae’s energy source

A

Sunlight

19
Q

What is the sticklebacks energy source

A

Tadpoles, young fish, water fleas, beetles

20
Q

What is the herons energy source

A

Fish, frogs and tadpoles, larger insects

21
Q

What is the perches energy source

A

Small fishe (e.g sticklebacks), beetles, water fleas

22
Q

What is there above the pond surface

FRESHWATER POND ECOSYSTEM

A

Birds and animals breathe oxygen. Food is found in or on the water, or in margins

23
Q

What is at the pond surface

FRESHWATER POND ECOSYSTEM

A

Plenty of oxygen and light here. Animals breath through their gills, lungs or skin

24
Q

What is at the pond margin

FRESHWATER POND ECOSYSTEM

A

Plenty of oxygen and light here. Plenty of shelter for the plants and insects for the small animals to eat

25
Q

What is the pond bottom

FRESHWATER POND ECOSYSTEM

A

Little oxygen or light. Plenty of shelter (rotting plants and stones) and food. Decomposes and scavengers live here

26
Q

what is there at mid - water

FRESHWATER POND ECOSYSTEM

A

Animals breathe through gills or skin. Fish are the main predators. Food is found on the surface or in the pond

27
Q

What is global and local scale change

A

Global scale change - climate change, desertification

Local scale change - remove vegetation

28
Q

What are natural changes of ecosystems

A

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

29
Q

What are human changes of of ecosystems

A

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

30
Q

What is eutrophication

A

Where nitrates help algae grow and remove oxygen from the pond water

31
Q

What are some key facts from Avington park lake in Winchester

A

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

32
Q

What is the location and characteristics of a tropical rainforest

A

•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

33
Q

What is the location and characteristics of the desert

A

•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.

34
Q

What is the location and characteristics of ‘polar’

A

•Artic/ Antarctic

Cold air sinks at the north and south poles which results in very low and dry conditions.

35
Q

What is the location and characteristics of deciduous/ coniferous forests

A

•roughy 50-60* north of the equator

Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the winter to retain moisture

36
Q

What is the location and characteristics of ‘tundra’

A

•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