Chapter 15: Ecosystems and Communities Flashcards
(48 cards)
Ecosystem
A community of biological organisms plus the non living components with which the organisms interact
Biotic Environment
Consists of all the living organisms within an area and is often referred to as a community
Habitat
The chemical resources of the soil, water, and air as well as the physical conditions such as the temperature, moisture, and humidity
Biomes
A large naturally occurring community of flora or fauna occupying a major habitat. Ex. Forest
Formation of Rain
Air is heated and rises. Rising air cools. Cooling air loses moisture
Human Engineering
Unintended consequences can occur when humans alter the land such as changes in temperature and in wind speed and direction
Rain Shadow
Warm air holds onto moisture and will often the air will pull moisture from the ground intensifying the already dry conditions
Topography
The arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area
El Niño
A dramatic climate change driven by ocean currents causes a sustained surface temperature change in the central Pacific Ocean that causes flooding, droughts, and famine
Domino Effect
A reduction in the usual east to west ocean breeze can cause a cascade of disastrous weather
La Niña
Ocean surface temperatures are lower than usual and the climate effects are opposite of El Niño
Trophic Levels
An ecosystem comprised of organisms that share the same function in the food chain and the same nutritional relationship to the primary sources of energy
Producers
Plants convert the suns light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis
Primary Productivity Level
The amount of organic material produced in a biome
Primary Consumers- The Herbivores
Animals that eat plants. These animals need a little help digesting their food and often have bacteria to help digest the food
Secondary Consumers- The Carnivores
Are animals that feed on herbivores. As they eat prey, some of the energy stored in the chemical bonds are captured and used for their own movement, reproduction, and growth
Tertiary Consumers- Top Carnivores
Are animals that eat other carnivores
Food Webs
A system of interlocking and interdependent food chains
Omnivores
Eat both plants and animals
Decomposers
Break down the organic material harvesting the energy still stored in the chemical bonds
Food Chain
Path from producers to tertiary consumers
Biomass
Is the total weight of living or non living organic material in a given volume of all plant and animal matter in an ecosystem
Energy Pyramid
Each layer of the pyramid represents the biomass of a trophic level
Eutrophication
The increase in nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus in an ecosystem
