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Biology > Study of an Ecosystem ⭐ > Flashcards

Study of an Ecosystem ⭐ Flashcards

1
Q

Habitat

A

The place where a plant or animal lives

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2
Q

Qualitative study

A

Prescence or absence of organisms

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3
Q

Quantitative study

A

Numbers of organisms present

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4
Q

Adaptation

A

Any alteration that improves an organisms chance of survival and reproduction

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5
Q

Key

A

A means of naming organisms by answering a series of questions with alternate answers

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6
Q

Grassland flora

A
  • Grasses
  • Clover
  • Buttercups, dandelions, daisies, nettles
  • (disturbed ground) Poppies, thistles, dock leaves
  • (hedgerow plants) Primroses, bluebells
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7
Q

Grassland fauna

A
  • (grass and soil) Earthworms, snails, slugs, spiders, beetles
  • (leaves) Aphids, ladybirds, caterpillars
  • (flowers) Bees, wasps, butterflies, moths
  • Rabbits, badgers, foxes, hedgerows, thrushes, blackbirds, hawks
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8
Q

Identifying habitats

A

Quadrats (at random or one after the other)

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9
Q

Identifying flora and fauna

A
  • Get an expert
  • Guidebooks, photographs, diagrams
  • Identification key
    • Only collect organisms if necessary
    • Return organisms
    • Leave habitat as you found it
    • Be aware of thorns, stinging insects,
      bulls, aggressive dogs
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10
Q

Sources of error in ecosystem study

A

HUMAN ERROR

- Mistakes in recording info, often due to poor weather

CHANGING CONDITIONS

- Ecosystems are subject to change, both natural (seasonal) and artificial (pollution)
- Study an ecosystem multiple times

ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY

- If an animal is shy, a large group may scare it off
- Rare animals that may only come out in certain conditions

SAMPLE SIZE

- More habitats, more accurate information
- If habitat too small, many fauna and flora left from study
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11
Q

Grassland abiotic factors

A
  • Light intensity
  • Soil pH
  • Soil type
  • Temperature
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12
Q

Grassland adaptations

A
  • Ladybirds: brightly coloured, easily seen (and avoided) and ladybirds are full of acid
  • Dandelions: seeds have parachutes and easily dispersed (not overcrowded)
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13
Q

Quadrats

A
  • A square made of metal, wood, or plastic
  • Thrown randomly into habitat or laid out in a line across habitat
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14
Q

Limits of Quadrats

A
  • Fast moving animals wont remain in quadrat
  • Size of species (large trees that arent in quadrat wont be counted)
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15
Q

Percentage cover *

A
  • Estimate of the amount of ground in a quadrat covered by a species
  • Subjective estimate: individual judgement, flawed
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16
Q

Grid quadrat *

A
  • Count the number of times each plant touches a point of intersection of each small square then express as a percentage
    (percentage error)
  • More accurate and objective
17
Q

Frequency *

A
  • Chance of finding a named species within any one throw of a quadrat
  • Fast and easy to use, but dependent on organism, quadrat size, and assumes organisms are evenly distributed
18
Q

Transects

A
  • Transects are used where changes along the gradient are suspected
  • Non-random, you decide where placed
19
Q

Line transect

A
  • A string/rope marked off at regular intervals
  • Names of plants/animals which touch line are recorded
  • Limited use, as only sample a narrow strip of the habitat
20
Q

Belt transect

A

Two ropes parallel to each other, laid across habitat to form a series of quadrats in a line

21
Q

Capture-recapture method *

A
  • Capturing a number of animals of the same species, marking them, and releasing them
  • On second visit, similar number is collected
  • Used for snails, crabs, periwinkles, woodlice, fish, whales, seals, deer, birds
22
Q

Capture-recapture assumes

A
  • Marking must not harm animals (e.g. make them visible to preds)
  • Aniamsl mix evenly in habitat (not bunched)
  • Animals are restricted to a local area
  • Marked animals are given time to mix with the unmarked population
23
Q

Testing temps

A

Thermometer

24
Q

testing soil pH

A
  • pH meter or universal indicator
  • Indicator with distilled water is added to soil sample in test tube, a little barium sulfate is added so particles clump (water is less cloudy), colour is compared with colour chart to find exact pH
25
Q

testing light

A
  • Photographic light meter
  • Taken at different locations
  • Care should be taken to avoid mixing bright sunshine readings with cloud cover readings
26
Q

Testing wind speed

A
  • Anemometer and wind gauge
  • Rate of rotation of the marker cup is measured
27
Q

Errors in investigation

A
  • Mistakes measuring or recording
  • Effect of your intervention in the ecosystem
  • Accidental discoveries made
  • Habitat studied may not accurately reflect overall ecosystem
  • Not allowing for conditions to change over time

Biology (6 decks)

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