Ecology And Biodiversity Flashcards
Def. Ecosystem
An ecosystem is the interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic) with the non-living (abiotic) parts of their environment.
Def. Interdepenance
Within a community each species depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination, seed dispersal etc. If one species is removed it can affect the whole community.
What are some abiotic factors that affect a community?
• light intensity
• temperature
• moisture levels
• soil pH and mineral content
• wind intensity and direction
• carbon dioxide levels for plants
• oxygen levels for aquatic animals.
What are some biotic factors that affect a community?
• availability of food
• new predators arriving
• new pathogens
• one species outcompeting another so the numbers are no
longer sufficient to breed.
Def. Abiotic
Non-living
Def. Biotic
Living
Def. Extremophiles
Organisms that live in environments that are very extreme, such as at high temperature, pressure, or salt concentration.
Def. Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of all the different species of organisms on earth, or within an ecosystem.
Why is pollution bad?
It kills plants and animals which reduces biodiversity.
Def. Global warming
The slow process of Earth’s temperature increasing to levels that negatively affect large parts of the environment.
How can negative effacts on biodiversity and ecosystems be reduced?
• breeding programmes for endangered species
• protection and regeneration of rare habitats
• reintroduction of field margins and hedgerows in agricultural
areas where farmers grow only one type of crop
• reduction of deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions by
some governments
• recycling resources rather than dumping waste in landfill.
