Topic 7C:Populations and Ecosystems Flashcards
What is an ecosystem?
A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment, such as air, water, and soil.
What are the two main components of an ecosystem?
The two main components are biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living factors like temperature, light, and water).
What is biodiversity in an ecosystem?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms within an ecosystem, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
How do producers and consumers interact in an ecosystem?
Producers (usually plants) create energy through photosynthesis, which is then passed through the food chain as consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores) eat them or each other.
What factors affect population size in an ecosystem?
Factors include birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration, along with environmental factors such as availability of resources, predation, and disease.
What is carrying capacity?
Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an ecosystem can support indefinitely, based on available resources such as food, space, and shelter.
What is population growth?
Population growth refers to the increase in the number of individuals in a population over time, often influenced by birth rates and immigration.
What is exponential growth?
Exponential growth occurs when a population grows at a constant rate over time, leading to a rapid increase in population size.
What is logistic growth?
Logistic growth occurs when a population grows rapidly at first but slows as it reaches the carrying capacity of the environment.
What is the mark-release-recapture method?
The mark-release-recapture method involves capturing individuals, marking them, and releasing them back into the population. After a period, a second sample is taken, and the number of marked individuals is used to estimate the total population size.
What methods are used to investigate populations?
Common methods include quadrats (used for stationary organisms) and mark-release-recapture (used for mobile organisms) to estimate population sizes and distribution.
What is a quadrant used for in population studies?
A quadrant is a square frame used to sample and count organisms in a specific area to estimate population density in ecosystems.
What is ecological succession?
Ecological succession is the gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, moving from one community structure to another.
What are the two types of succession?
The two types are primary succession (occurring in an area where no soil exists, like after a volcanic eruption) and secondary succession (occurring in an area where soil is already present, such as after a forest fire).
What is the pioneer species in succession?
Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize an area during primary succession, often including lichens and mosses that can tolerate harsh conditions.
What is the climax community?
The climax community is the final, stable community in an ecosystem that remains relatively unchanged over time, unless disrupted by external factors.
What is conservation?
Conservation is the protection and management of biodiversity, aiming to preserve species, habitats, and ecosystems for future generations.
What is the difference between in-situ conservation and ex-situ conservation?
In-situ conservation involves protecting species in their natural habitats (e.g., national parks), while ex-situ conservation involves removing species from their natural habitats and conserving them in controlled environments (e.g., zoos, botanical gardens).
What are protected areas?
Protected areas are regions set aside for the conservation of biodiversity, where human activity is managed or restricted to preserve the natural environment.
What is the purpose of a conservation programme?
A conservation programme is aimed at maintaining or restoring biodiversity, often through habitat preservation, breeding programs, and legal protection of species.
What are the main threats to biodiversity?
Major threats to biodiversity include habitat destruction, climate change, overexploitation, pollution, and invasive species.
What are Producers?
Organisms (typically plants) that produce their own food through photosynthesis and form the base of the food chain.
What is a Quadrat?
A square frame used in ecology to sample a specific area for measuring the distribution and abundance of organisms.
What is Primary Succession?
Succession that occurs in an area where no soil exists, such as after a volcanic eruption.
What is Secondary Succession?
Succession that occurs in an area where soil is already present, such as after a forest fire.
What is In-situ Conservation?
The conservation of species in their natural habitats, such as in national parks or reserves.
What is Ex-situ Conservation?
The conservation of species outside their natural habitats, such as in zoos or botanical gardens.
What is a Conservation Programme?
An organized effort to maintain or restore biodiversity through protection, restoration, and sustainable practices.
What are Biodiversity Threats?
Factors that negatively affect biodiversity, including habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, overexploitation, and invasive species.
