Chapter 19: Living in an Ecosystem

Question 1

habitat

Answer 1

where an organism lives

Question 2

microhabitat

Answer 2

a local area within a habitat which has a slightly different environment.

Question 3

niche

Answer 3

A niche is the particular environment where a species is likely to persist indefinitely

Question 4

ecosystem

Answer 4

community of organisms together with their physical surroundings.

Question 5

biosphere

Answer 5

the global ecosystem – composed of smaller ecosystems. Ecosystems are self-sustaining!

Question 6

naming an ecosystem 3 steps

Answer 6

Names based on abiotic environment: Marine, rock pool, Freshwater, lake. Names based on the dominant organisms of the community: Oyster community, saltbush ecosystem. Names based on the structure of the plant community: open-forest, grassland.

Question 7

biomes

Answer 7

A biome is a broad category defined on the basis of climate – rainforest, desert.

Question 8

quadrat

Answer 8

Quadrat is a square, rectangular or circular patch which is studied.

Question 9

transect

Answer 9

Transect is a line used to look at change along the line. Rock pool, sand dune, grassland, open-forest.

Question 10

Geographic distribution

Answer 10

is all the places where a species can be found.