ecology : adaptations , interdependence and competition

state the levels of an organisation in an ecosystem

• individual

• population

• community

• ecosystem

what is an ecosystem ?

relationships between living organisms and their physical environment

- interactions between biotic and abiotic factors in an area

define a habitat

where an organism lives

state 4 factors that plants compete for

• light

• space

• water

• mineral ions from soil

state 5 factors that animals compete for

• food

• water

• territory

• mates

• shelter

what is intraspecific competition

competition within a species

what is interspecific competition ?

competition between different species

what is interdependence ?

different species in a ecosystem depend on each other for resources . if one species is removed the whole community is affected

what is a stable community ?

community where all biotic factor ( different species ) and all abiotic factors are balanced so that population sizes remain constant

what are abiotic factors?

non living factors

state the abiotic factors that may affect an ecosystem

• light intensity

• temperature

• wind intensity and direction

• carbon dioxide levels

• oxygen levels

• soil pH

why might light intensity affect an ecosystem ?

different species of plants may have different optimum light intensities for growth

why does temperature affect an ecosystem ?

• different species of plants and animals have different optimum temperatures for growth and survival

how does soil pH affect an ecosystem ?

• certain plants grow better in either alkaline or acidic soil

• soil pH affects the appearance of the plant

how does moisture level affect an ecosystem ?

• many plants cannot survive in waterlogged soil as their roots cannot respire

• certain plants are adapted to high moisture levels

how does wind intensity affect an ecosystem ?

plant seeds are more likely to grow in locations with lower wind intensity - attracting animals that depend on the plant to live nearby

how does soil mineral content affect an ecosystem?

most plants require a high level of soil minerals to grow well

give an example of a type of plants that have adapted to low soil mineral content

carnivorous plants catch insects to compensate for low level of soil mineral content

how does carbon dioxide concentration affect an ecosystem ?

high carbon dioxide concentration leads to more plant growth

how does oxygen concentration affect an ecosystem ?

aquatic animals ( lives in water ) cannot survive in areas with low oxygen concentration

define a population

species that occupy the same habitat

define a community

all the population of diff species that live together in a habitat

state the biotic factors that any affect an ecosystem

• availability of food

• predation

• amount of disease

• competition

what are adaptations ?

features that enable organisms to survive in their living environment

what are organisms living in extreme environments called ?

extremophiles

give 3 examples of extreme living environments

• high temp

• high pressure

• high salt concentration

state an example of where extremophile bacteria can be found

in deep sea vents

what is competition ?

interaction between two or more organisms / species in which they all try to use the same limited resources