The Ecosystem

Question 0

Define abiotic

Answer 0

NON-LIVING factors of the ecosystem (ENVIRONMENT)

Question 1

Define biotic

Answer 1

LIVING components within an ecosystem (community)

Question 2

Define trophic level

Answer 2

Feeding level of a food chain.

Question 3

3 types of pyramids for showing ecosystem stuff

Answer 3

” “ Of numbers, biomass, productivity.

Question 4

Define species

Answer 4

A group of organisms that INTERBREED and produce FERTILE OFFSPRING.

Question 5

Define population

Answer 5

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time, and which are capable of interbreeding.

Question 6

Define habitat

Answer 6

The ENVIRONMENT in which a species normally lives.

Question 7

Define niche

Answer 7

WHERE and HOW a species lives.

Question 8

Define ecosystem

Answer 8

A community of INTERDEPENDENT organisms and the PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT they inhibit.

Question 9

INTRAspecific competition

Answer 9

Competition WITHIN a species

Question 10

INTERspecific competition

Answer 10

Competition between DIFFERENT species.

Question 11

Define mutualism

Answer 11

A symbiotic relationship in which BOTH species BENEFIT.

Question 12

Define parasitism

Answer 12

A symbiotic relationship in which one species BENEFITS, at the EXPENSE of the other.

Question 13

Define net primary productivity (NPP)

Answer 13

The GAIN in energy/biomass per unit area per unit time remaining after allowing for losses of energy due to respiration.

Question 14

Features of a tropical rainforest.

Answer 14

• constant high temperatures.
• high rainfall (over 2500mm yr-1).
• lie in a band around the Equator.
• high light levels.
• little seasonal variation.
• high levels of photosynthesis & NPP.
• evergreen forests & high diversity.

Question 15

Features of deserts.

Answer 15

• found in bands latitudes approx 30 N+S.
• high temperatures (45-49 degrees C).
• limited rates of photosynthesis & NPP.
• vegetation is scarce.
• soil rich in nutrients.
• xerophytic adaptations.

Question 16

Features of tundra.

Answer 16

• high latitudes, adjacent to ice margins.
• limited levels of sunlight.
• water is limiting factor.
• photosynthesis & productivity is low.
• low temperatures.
• arctic tundra & alpine tundra.

Question 17

Features of temperate forest.

Answer 17

• between 40 & 60 degrees of the equator.
• seasonal areas.
• evergreen & deciduous.
• rainfall between 500-1500mm yr-1.
• lower diversity.
• variation in isolation.

Question 18

Features of grassland.

Answer 18

• Every continent except Antarctica.
• not enough precipitation for forests, too much for deserts.
• wide diversity.
• low levels of productivity.
• rainfall is approx in balance with evaporation levels.

Question 19

Define producer.

Answer 19

Make their own food.

Question 20

Define decomposers & consumers.

Answer 20

Feed on other organisms.

Question 21

Define Primary productivity

Answer 21

The gain by producers in energy/biomass per unit area per unit time

Question 22

Define Secondary productivity

Answer 22

The biomass gained by heterotrophic organisms, through feeding & absorption, measured in units of mass/energy per unit area per unit time.

Question 23

Limiting factors

Answer 23

Factors that limit the distribution/numbers of a particular population.

Question 24

Carrying capacity

Answer 24

The number of organisms/size of population that an area/ecosystem can support sustainably over a long period of time.

Question 25

Succession

Answer 25

The orderly process of change over time in a community.

Question 26

Zonation

Answer 26

The arrangement or patterning of plant communities/ecosystems into bands in response to change, over a distance, in some environmental factor.