Unit 3 - Life On Earth Flashcards
Definition of a species
A group of similar organisms which can interbreed to produce fertile offspring (babies lmao)
What is Biodiversity
It is the variation between species within an ecosystem
How many species are there?
About 1.75 million habve been studied.
10-100 million more await discovery.
Define population
A group of organsims the same species.
E.g. a pack of wolves, a flock of birds, bofa deez nuts, Labour of moles.
Define a habitat
An animals habitat is the place where it lives in an ecosystem.
Define an ecosystem
An ecosystem concists of all the organisms living in a particular habitat as well as the non-living components which interact with the organisms.
Define the niche of an animal.
The niche of an animal is the role it plays within a community. This also involves their competition (be it interspecies or interpecific), conditions it can tolerate and predation.
What affects biodiversity
Abiotic factors (Non-living factors : temperature, pH, light intensity, moisture) Biotic Factors (living things: avalibility of food, Disease, predators, Grazing, Competition) Human influences ( over hunting, habitat destruction )
What is competition
Competition is when animals compete with oneanother when resources are in short supply: water Food
Shelter
What is interspecific competition
2 different species battling it out, one causing the other to migrate and even face exctinction.
What is intraspecific competition
Two organisms of the same species battling over resources, territory, food, light ….
What is grazing
Grazing is basically another word for eat however can only be used when talking about a large group of animals.
What does grazing effect.
Grazing affects things such as plant species, diversity and amount of plants.
What does a low intensity of grazing do.
A low intensity of grazing will decrease diversity as the vigorous grasses grow at the expense of other plant species.
What does a high intensity of grazing effect.
A high intensity of grazing will maintain / increase species diversity as vigorus grasses are kept in check allowing other plant species to grow.
What will high or low intensity of grazing effect.
High or low intensity of grazing will decrease diversity.
Define Predation
Predation is a Biotic factor which affects the population of prey and predators
What is found in the practical investigation of an eco-system.
- finding out what animals and plants live there
- thier abundance (rarity, how many, how few, commonality)
- why they are there
How to measure light intensity.
You can measure light intensity using a light meter.
Dont cast a shadow on it or else you will get false readings.
Take many results to take an average.
How to measure soil moisture.
You can measure mositure using a moisture meter.
The meter is planted into the ground vertically.
Make sure to clean before and aftere use for accurate readings.
How to measure pH.
It can be measured using a pH meter.
The probe is pushed into the soil.
Make sure to clean before and after use for accurate samples.
How to measure soil temperature.
You can use a thermometer or temperature probe.
Push it into the soil and leave it to settle before taking a reading.
Clean before and after for a accurate reading.
