Ecosystems Flashcards
What is an ecosystem?
Living organisms in a particular area together with non living components of an environment
What is flora?
Plants
What is fauna?
Animals
What is biotic?
Living elements
Examples of abiotic
Climate
Soil
Water
Freshwater pond ecosystem
Pond bottom
Very little oxygen or light. Decomposes or scavengers live there.
Freshwater pond ecosystems
Mid water
Fish are main predators. Food found on pond bottom or pond surface. Breathe through skin or gills
Freshwater pond ecosystems
Pond surface
Animals breathe through gills, skin or lungs. Oxygen and light here. Ducks, water boatmen, midge larvae and tadpoles
Freshwater pond ecosystems
Pond margin
Plants provide sheltered habitat for insects and small animals such as frogs. Lots of oxygen and light so plants such as marsh marigold thrive
Freshwater pond ecosystems
Above pond surface
Birds such as kingfishers and insects like dragonflies common
Freshwater pond food chain
Leaves and algae= producer
Caddis
Fish
Kingfisher
Changes to ecosystem caused by natural factors
Drought
Flood
Fire
Disease
Changes to ecosystem caused by human management include:
Introducing more fish
Altering drainage of land which may influence amount of water
Changing pH of water
Altering nutrients levels of water if fertilisers are leached into water resulting in eutrophication. Hyper nutrition
What are important factors that determine climate of place?
Latitude
High & low air pressure
Winds
How does latitude affect climate?
Low latitude=high temperature
Sun rays travel shorter distance to equator, more concentrated
