B7 Ecology

What is an ecosystem?

all of the biotic and abiotic parts of a particular environment

What do plants compete for in a community? (4)

light

space

water

mineral ions from the soil

What do animals complete for in a community? (3)

food

mates

territory

What is interdependence?

when plants and animals depend on each other

What are some examples of interdependence? (4)

food

shelter

pollination

seed dispersal 

What is a stable community? (2)

A community where everything is in balance

This means that population sizes remain fairly constant

What are the physical abiotic factors that can affect a community? (3)

moisutre levels

temperature

wind levels and intensity

What are the chemical abiotic factors that can affect a community? (4)

soil pH

soil mineral content

carbon dioxide levels for plants

oxygen levels for aquatic animals

What are the biotic factors that affect a community? (4)

availability of food

new predators arriving

new pathogens

one species outcompeting another so the numbers are no longer sufficient to breed

What does abiotic mean?

Non-living

What does bioitic mean?

Living

What is an adaptation?

A feature that enables an organism to survive in the conditions which they normally live.

What is an extremophile?

An organism that lives in an extreme environment, such as one with high temepratures, high pressure or high salt concentration.

What is a producer?

Organisms like green plants or algae which make glucose by photosynthesis.

What is a consumer?

An organism that eats other organisms in a food chain.

What is the definition of prey?

Consumers (animals) that are killed and eaten

What is the definition of a predator?

Consumers that kill and eat other animals

What process removes carbon from the atompshere?

Photosynthesis

What processes add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere? (3)

Respiration

combustion

decomposition

Why are microorganisms an important part of an ecosystem? (2)

They help to cycle material through the ecosystem by decomposing dead organic matter

They release carbon dioxide to the atmosphere & mineral ions to the soil.

What is biodiversity?

The variety of all the different species of organisms in an ecosystem, or on earth.

What types of pollution can be present in water? (3)

Sewage

Fertiliser

Toxic chemicals

What types of pollution can be present in air? (2)

Smoke

acidic gases

What types of pollution can be present on land? (2)

Landfills

toxic chemicals

What human activities reduce the amount of land available for other animals? (4)

building

dumping waste

quarrying

farming

Why are peat bogs being destroyed?

to produce garden compost

What are the negative effects of destroying peat bogs? (2)

It reduces the habitat available for plants, animals and microorganisms that live there

Burning or decay of peat releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Why has deforestation occured in tropical areas?

to provide land for cattle and rice fields, to grow crops for biofuel

What programs area there to help maintain biodiversity? (6)

breeding programs for endangered species

protection and regeneration of rare habitats

reintroduction of field margins and hedgerows

reduction of deforestation

reduction of carbon dioxide emissions

recycling