Ecosystem Key Words

Question 1

Biodiversity

Answer 1

Number and variety of species in a location

Question 2

Ecosystem

Answer 2

A system of links between biotic components (plants and animals) and the habitat around them including the abiotic components that effect them e.g water

Question 3

Biomes

Answer 3

Continental size ecosystems, similar climates

Question 4

Food chain

Answer 4

The connections between different organisms (plants and animals) that rely upon one another as the source of food.

Question 5

Names of things in food chain

Answer 5

Decomposes (breaks down dead tissue) Producer (Photosynthesis) 
Primary consumers (snail) 
Secondary consumers (fox)

Question 6

Food web

Answer 6

A complex hierarchy of plants and animals relying on each other for food.

Question 7

Nutrient cycling

Answer 7

Where organisms extract nutrients needed for growth from soil or water, e.g nitrate ions, potassium, before passing them on through the food chain.

Question 8

Definition of Tropical

Answer 8

Hot and wet climate all year round, found on the equator between the tropics. Temp= 27 Rain= 2000mm

Question 9

Definition of Temperate

Answer 9

Mild all year round medium rainfall relative to deserts and rain forests. They have 4 seasons. Temp= 20 in summer, 5 in winter. Rain= 750mm

Question 10

Definition of climate

Answer 10

The average weather in an area over 30 years.

Question 11

Definition of a desert

Answer 11

Rain <250 mm, temp= 50 day, 0 night, hot and dry all year round

Question 12

Definition of aridisol soil

Answer 12

Calcification - makes soil look white

Salinisation - increasing volumes of salt, poisonous in larger quantities.

Question 13

Parent material

Answer 13

Desert soils commonly form in wind blown sediments, from rivers or ancient lakes.

Question 14

Definition of Arid

Answer 14

Area receives <250mm of effective precipitation per year