Topic 2 - Ecosystems

Question 1

Biotic Components

Answer 1

The living organisms (plants and animals) of the ecosystem. The total amount of living organic matter is an ecosystem known as the biomass

Question 2

Abiotic Components

Answer 2

The non-living Components of the ecosystem, including souls and climate.

Question 3

Producers / autotrophs

Answer 3

The first tropic level which consists of plants. As they can produce their own food directly, they are called producers.

Question 4

Heterotrophs

Answer 4

All subsequent trophic levels after the first have to consume plants and other organisms in the previous level, so they are called consumers.

Question 5

Plant succession

Answer 5

A series of changes that take place in vegetation over time as one main plant species replaces another. Primary succession is succession that occurs on previously unvegetated surfaces, for example sand dunes or bare rock. Secondary succession occurs on previously vegetated surfaces that have lots their vegetation through processes such as fire or landslides.

Question 6

Microclimate

Answer 6

Small-scale climatic characteristics of an area that differ from the general climate. It can apply to areas ranging from a few square metres to many square kilometres.

Question 7

Plagioclimax

Answer 7

Refers to the vegetation community that is found when human activities interfere with the natural sequence of succession and prevent it from reaching its climatic climax. This can result from activities such as deforestation, burning, draining or grazing. One example is the heather moorlands- climax community should be deductions forest but these have been cleared and the areas are used for sheep grazing, allowing the heather plant to dominate. Also because of muirburn.