7.1 Flashcards
(21 cards)
State the levels of organisation in an ecosystem
Individual
population
community
ecosystem
what is an ecosystem?
the interactions between the living components and non living component
state the factors that plants may compete for
light
space
water
mineral ions from soil
state the factors that animals may compete for
food
territory
mate
what is intraspecific competition?
competition within a species
what in interspecific competition?
competition between different species
what is interdependence?
different species in an ecosystem depend on each other for various resources.
if one species is removed, the whole community may be affected.
what is a stable community
a community in which all the biotic factors and all the abiotic factors are balanced so that population sizes remain relatively constant.
what are abiotic factors?
non living factors
state the abiotic factors that may affect an ecosystem
light intensity temperature moisture soil pH and mineral content wind intensity and direction carbon dioxide level oxygen level
why might light intensity affect an ecosystem?
different species of plant may have different optimum light intensities for growth.
why does temperature affect an ecosystem?
different species of plants and animals may have different optimum temperatures for growth and survival.
how does soil pH affect an ecosystem?
certain plants may grow better in either alkaline or acids soil.
soil pH may affect the appearance of the plant
how does soil pH affect an ecosystem?
certain plants may grow better in either alkaline or acids soil.
soil pH may affect the appearance of the plant
how does moisture level affect an ecosystem
many plants cannot survive in waterlogged soil as their roots cannot respire
certain plants are adapted to high moisture levels.
how does wind intensity affect an ecosystem
plant seeds are more likely to germinate in locations with lower wind intensity, which may also attract animals that depend on the plant nearby.
how does soil mineral content affect an ecosystem?
most plants require a high level of soil minerals to grow well.
how does carbon dioxide concentration affect an ecosystem
higher carbon dioxide concentration leads to more plant growth.
how does oxygen concentration affect an ecosystem?
aquatic animals cannot survive in areas with low oxygen concentration.
how does oxygen concentration affect an ecosystem?
aquatic animals cannot survive in areas with low oxygen concentration.
state the biotic factors that may affect an ecosystem
food
new predators
new pathogens
competiton
