How Ecosystems Function

Ecosystem

A community of plants and animals and the environment in which they live

Biotic factors

The living components of an ecosystem

Abiotic factors

The non-living components of an ecosystem

Biome

A large-scale ecosystem such as a tropical rainforest

Climate

The average weather conditions over a long period of time which determines biome locations

Convectional rainfall

Heavy rain formed when intensely heated ground warms the air above causing rapid evaporation and condensation

Hadley Cell

A global atmospheric circulation pattern where air rises at the equator and sinks over savannah regions

HSAG

Hot semi-arid grassland located ten to thirty degrees north and south of the equator

TRF

Tropical rainforest located along the equator with high constant heat and rainfall

Humus layer

A thin layer of fertile soil at the surface formed from decayed organic matter

Laterite

A hard cemented layer of soil in grasslands that blocks deep root growth

Leaching

The removal of nutrients from the soil as heavy rainfall washes them away

Nutrient cycling

The continuous recycling of essential elements between the soil biomass and leaf litter

Baobab adaptations

Shallow roots to collect rainwater quickly alongside thick fire-resistant bark and a water-storing trunk

Acacia adaptations

Long tap roots to reach deep groundwater alongside waxy leaves and protective thorns

Drip tips

Rainforest leaf adaptations that shed heavy rainwater quickly to prevent branches from breaking

Buttress roots

Large roots that support tall rainforest trees and absorb nutrients directly from shallow leaf litter

Leaf litter

The layer of dead vegetation found sitting on the ground surface

Biomass

The total dry weight of all living material within an ecosystem

Biodiversity

The variety of plant and animal life found within a specific location

Niche

The specific role and position a species holds within its environment to survive and reproduce

Sand dune

A mound of sand formed along the beach by the wind

Embryo dune

The first sand dunes to form where sand gathers around an obstacle like seaweed

Fore dune

Taller and more stable dunes formed as increasing vegetation traps more sand

Yellow dune

Tall dunes mostly covered in Marram Grass where forming soil retains moisture better

Grey dune

The oldest and most stable dunes furthest from the sea with the best quality soil

Ecosystem buffer

A natural shield like sand dunes that absorbs wave energy to reduce coastal erosion

Stakeholder

Any person or group with an interest in an ecosystem who values it in different ways

Ynyslas management

Strategies including protective bollards boardwalks fencing marram grass planting and summer dog bans

Management failure examples

Litter bins removed due to wind dispersal and fences causing trampling around perimeters