Ecosystems Flashcards
Ecosystem
When communities interact with each other and their environment
Community
Groups of different species within a habitat
Population
Groups of the same species in a habitat
Interdependence
When organisms rely on each other for resources
Biotic factors
Living factors that shape an ecosystem
-predatation
-competition
-disease
-food availability
Abiotic factors
Non-living factors that shape an ecosystem
-light intensity
-water availability
-CO2
-O2
-temperature
-pH of soil
Biomass
The dry mass of an organism, equating to the amount of energy the organism contains
Biomass efficiency
Efficiency = (biomass transferred / biomass available) x100
How much energy is lost between tropic levels?
10%
Why is energy lost between tropic levels?
-not all of the organism is eaten
-energy was used for respiration, urination, thermoregulation, etc
Symbiosis
The ecological relationship between two or more organisms living closely together with some form of feeding relationship involved
Parasitism
A parasite feeds on another organism (the host) while they live together, harming the host but benefiting the parasite
Eg. Mistletoe absorbing water and nutrients from the host apple tree
Mutualism
Organisms live closely together in a way that benefits them both
Eg. Cleaner fish getting food, larger fish lose dead skin and parasites
Animal conservation
-prevent extinction through controlled breeding programmes/reduction in poaching
-generating income to fund conservation projects through animal parks
-improves the range of species
-maintains the food web
-maintains genetic diversity
-allows re-introduction of animals into the wild
Reforestation
-reforestation is planting of trees
-trees take up water from the soil
-prevents erosion and reduces flooding
-trees can be used for biofuel
-provides habitats
-photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide and releases oxygen
-reduces global warming
