Ecology Flashcards
(56 cards)
Ecology:
1. A structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment.
2. An _________ can be classified into terrestrial or aquatic.
Ecosystem
Ecology:
Structure of the Ecosystem:
1. Refers to all living components in an ecosystem.
Biotic Components
Ecology:
Structure of the Ecosystem:
1. Are the non-living component of an ecosystem.
Abiotic Components
Ecology:
Structure of the Ecosystem:
Biotic Categories:
1. Include all autotrophs that can produce food through the process of photosynthesis.
Producers
Ecology:
Structure of the Ecosystem:
Biotic Categories:
1. Heterotrophs
2. Organisms that depend on other organisms for food.
Consumers
Ecology:
Structure of the Ecosystem:
Biotic Categories:
1. Organisms that directly thrive on the dead and decaying organic matter.
Decomposers
Ecology:
Functional Unit of an Ecosystem:
1. Refers to the rate of biomass production.
Productivity
Ecology:
Functional Unit of an Ecosystem:
1. The sequential process through which energy flows from one trophic level to another.
Energy Flow
Ecology:
Functional Unit of an Ecosystem:
1. The process of breakdown of dead organic material.
Decomposition
Ecology:
Functional Unit of an Ecosystem:
1. The recycling of consumed nutrients back in various forms for the utilization of various organisms.
Nutrient Cycling
Ecology:
Ecosystem Classification:
1. Exclusively land-based ecosystems distributed around geological zones.
Terrestrial Ecosystem
Ecology:
Terrestrial Ecosystem Classification:
1. Consists of several plants, particularly trees, animals, and microorganisms that live in coordination with the abiotic factors.
2. Helps maintain the temperature of the Earth and are the major carbon sink.
Forest Ecosystem
Ecology:
Terrestrial Ecosystem Classification:
1. The vegetation is dominated by grasses and ferns.
Grassland Ecosystem
Ecology:
Terrestrial Ecosystem Classification:
1. Devoid of trees and are around in cold climates or where rainfall is scarce.
2. These are covered with snow for most of the year and are found in the Arctic or mountain tops.
Tundra Ecosystem
Ecology:
Terrestrial Ecosystem Classification:
1. Regions with little rainfall and scarce vegetation.
Desert Ecosystem
Ecology:
Ecosystem Classification:
1. Ecosystems present in a body of water
Aquatic Ecosystem
Ecology:
Aquatic Ecosystem Classification:
1. Aquatic ecosystem with no salt content.
Freshwater Ecosystem
Ecology:
Aquatic Ecosystem Classification:
1. Aquatic ecosystem with substantial salt content and greater biodiversity in comparison to the freshwater ecosystem.
Marine Ecosystem
Ecology:
1. Refers to the events in an ecosystem, where one living organism eats another organism, and later that organism is consumed by another larger organism.
Food Chain
Ecology:
Types of Food Chain
Detritus and Grazing Food Chain
Ecology:
Types of Food Chain:
1. Begins with dead organic material and passes into decomposers which are further eaten.
Detritus Food Chain
Ecology:
Types of Food Chain:
1. Starts with green plants that performs photosynthesis which are further eaten.
Grazing Food Chain
Ecology:
Food Chain:
1. Formed by several interconnected food chains.
Food Web
Ecology:
1. A graphical representation of the relationship between the different living organisms at different trophic levels.
Ecological Pyramid
