Ecology Flashcards
(133 cards)
1
Q
Ecology
A
Study of relationships between living organisms and their environment
2
Q
Ecosystem
A
Group of organisms that interact with each other and their physical environment
3
Q
Biosphere
A
Part of planet where life can exist
4
Q
Habitat
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Physical place where organisms live
5
Q
Species
A
Group of organisms that can reproduce with each other to produce fertile offspring
6
Q
Population
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(Number of) all the organisms of the same species living in the same area
7
Q
community
A
all the different organisms living in an area
8
Q
Flora
A
Plants in an ecosystem
9
Q
Fauna
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Animals in an ecosystem
10
Q
Abiotic factors
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Non-living factors (that influence population in an ecosystem)
11
Q
Biotic factors
A
Living factors (That affect population in an ecosystem )
12
Q
Edaphic factors
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Factors relating to the soil
13
Q
Climatic factors
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Weather factors over a long period of time
14
Q
Name three examples of abiotic factors
A
Temperature, light intensity, Ph
15
Q
Name three examples of Biotic factors
A
Prey, predators, parasites
16
Q
Name three examples of edaphic factors
A
Soil Ph, soil type, soil temperature
17
Q
Name three examples of climatic factors
A
Temperature, wind, light intensity
18
Q
Niche
A
Role of an organism in the ecosystem
19
Q
Why cannot two species who occupy the same niche live together
A
They will be competing for limited resources
20
Q
What is competition
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When organisms fight for limited resources
21
Q
Name and briefly explain two aquatic factors
A
Light penetration (plankton grown best in upper surface)
Currents move Organisms (Need for attachment)
22
Q
producers
A
organisms that make their own food by photosynthesis
23
Q
consumers
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cannot make their own food, they obtain their food from another living organism
24
Q
autotroph
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organism that can make its own food
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heterotroph
organism that cannot make its own food, obtains food from another souce
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parasite
living organism that lives and feeds of a live host of a different species, causing harm to the host
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Ectoparasite
parasite that lives on the surface of a living host, causing harm to the host
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Name an example of an ecto parasite
fleas
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Endoparasite
patasite that lives inside a host, casuing harm to the host
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name example of an endoparasite
tapeworm
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saprophyte
an organism that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter, resturning essential nutrients to the soil
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Herbivore
an organism that feeds on plants only
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omnivores
feeds on plants and animals
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Carnivore
organisms that feeds on meat only
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Decomposers
organism that breaks down dead organic matter and returns essential nutrients to the soil
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detritus feeders
feed on small parts of dead and decomposing organic matter. they begin the process of decomposition.
37
name examples of detritus feeders
earthworms and woodlice are detritus feeders
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Food chain
shows how energy stored in food passes on from organism to organism whie feeding
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trophic level
the feeding position of an organism in a food chain
40
what is a grazing food chain
a food chain that begins with a producer
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name an example of a grazing gassland food chain and state the role of each organism
Buttercup (Primary producer) → snail (primary consumer) → Thrush (Secondary consumer)→ Fox (teritary/Top comsumer)
42
What is a detritus food chain
a food chain that begins with dead organic matter
43
Name an example od a detritus food chain and state the role of each member
Fallen Leaves → earthworms (primary consumer) →Blackbirds(secondary comsumer) →Hawks (Top/ tertiary consumer)
44
How can one organism be both a primary and secondary consumer?
it is an onmivore
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Food web
contains inter-linked food chains
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what is the primary source of energy flow
sun
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what affects the lenght of a food chain
only 10%/ small amount of energy is passed on from one trphic level to the next. 90% of energy is lost as heat. This limits the lenght of a food chain.
48
what is a pyramid of numbers
reperesents the number of organisms at each feeding level in a food chain
49
Name the general rule for food chains
the size of an organism increases as you move up a food chain (typically)
The number of organisms at each trophic level decreases as you move up the food chain.
50
Limitations of pyramid of numbers
they do not take into account the size of the individual organisms
It is diffficult to draw them to scale
51
Why might an organism still not survive when introduced into a vacent niche?
it way not be able to adapt to a new habitat
52
In ecology, suggest how the intrduction of an exotic species may inpact negatively on a community
may increase the level of competition with the native species or more predation
53
In ecology, suggest how thr introduction of an exotic species may impact postively on a community
may provide an extra food source of the native specied or procide shelter of control of nuisance species
54
what is nutrient recycling
nutrient recycling allows element like carbon and nitrogen to be exchanged bewetween living and non living part of an ecosystem.It allows nutrients to be reused
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what is the function of the carbon cycle
so carbon can be converted to carbon in living things eg carbohydrates, proteins and lipids
56
Describe the carbon cycle breifly
**Carbon dioxide** taken out the atomsphere via **Photosynthesis** to form **Plant carbohydrate**. **Plant carbohydrate eaten by Animal carbohydrate** Both **plant and animal carbohydrate respirate** to release CO2 back into atomsphere. **Animal and plant carbohydrate** go through **death and decompostion** to for **dead organic matter** . This is broken down by **Decomposers** who **respirate** to return CO2 into atomsphere.
**dead organic matter** over time can be **combusted** to return co2 into the atomsphere
57
What are some of the reasons of increasing CO2 in the atomsphere
deforestation
burning of fossil fuels
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what does increasing CO2 cause in the atomsphere
glaciers melting resulting in rising sea levels
ecosystems change
more exteme weather patterns
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methods in which to reduce the amount of Co2 released into the atomsphere
burn lass fossil fuels
use clean energy
plant more trees
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what is the purpose of the nitrogen cycle
converts nitrogen gas into a form plants can use
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what do plants and animals use nitrogen from the nitrogen cycle for
formation of **protein**, nucleic acid (DNA, RNA)
62
Decribe the events of the nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen gas is converted into nitrates by nitrogen fixing bacteria in root nodules (present in legums ed cloves) which is known as nitrogen fixation. (Lightning also carries out this process)
* The nitrate in the soil is now absorbed by roots of plants (by active transport) to
form plant protein.
* Plants are eaten by animals.
* Animals and plants die and decompose as a result of decomposing bacteria and fungi which ammonia into the soil.
* Nitrifying bacteria in the soil now convert ammonia into nitrites and then nitrates which is known as nitrification.
* Some of these nitrates are again absorbed by plants. The other nitrates are converted back into nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria in a process known as denitrification.
63
what is another name for nitrogen fixing bacteria and where on the plant do they live. Name a example of a plant that contain these structures and name the family that they belong in
symbiotic bacteria
root nodules
clover plant
legumes
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name the types of bateria involved in the nitrogen cycle
nitrogen fixing bacteria
decomposing bacteria
nitrifying bacteria
denitrifying bacteria
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why is it beneficial for farms to spread fetilisers containign nirtogen to the soil
fertilisers contain nitrates
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two reasults of spreading fetilizers on soil
increased crop yeild
eutrophication
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similarties between the carbon and nitrogen cycle
**bacteria** involved in both cycles
**Decomposition/decay** of plants and animals in both
**Nutrition involved in both**
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pollution
any harmful addition to the enviorment
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pollutants
substances that cause pollution
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name sources of pollution
farm wastes
transport fumes
electricity generation
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Name a pollutant and its effect on the enviorment
**Slurry**
1.slurry enters rivers or lakes during heavy rainfall which causes alge to grow
2.When algae die and breakdown,oxygen is adsorbed, oxygen levels fall in water
3.Water plants + animals die due to lack of oxygen
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what is the addition of nutrients to the water called
eutrophication
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Name the conservation methods for eutrophication
slurry should be stored in leak proof pits
animal waste should be spread on dry land
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conservation
the wise management of habitats/ecosystem to prevent extinction
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name the benefits of conservation
prevents extinction of organisms
maintains biodiversity
organisms maybe useful in the future
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what is the purpose of nature reserves and zoos
to prevent extinction and protect other animals
77
name problems in fisheries and name methods of conservtion for these problems
**Overfishing** - **Impose fishing quotas** to ensure only a certain amount of fish is caught
**Use of small size fishing nets** - **Fishing with larger size fising nets**
78
Name three problems with waste disposal
waste in landfills are unsightly and smell (attract rodents)
Nutrients released from waste slurry may cause eutrophication
Incinerators release poisonous gassed (CO2, sulfur dioxide) into atomsphere
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Name the disadvantages an advantages of incinerators
Decreases volume of waste thrown into landfills
Incinerators release poisonous gassed (CO2, sulfur dioxide) into atomsphere
80
name 3 roles of microrganisms in waste management
bacteria break down sewage in sewage treatment plants
bacteria can be used to break down oil spills in the sea
bacteria and fungi are used in the process of decomposing
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adapation
feature of a behavior of a plant of animal which helps it survive
82
name the two types of adpatations
structural or behavioural
83
name adapations of preadtors in:
Bats
Ladybirds
Hawk
Fox
Bats : have fur (keep bats warm in colder months)
nocturnal (allows them to avoid other competition)
Ladybirds: strong jaw to kill and eat aphids
Hibernates (avoid food shortages and cold weather)
Hawk : sharp beak and claws
Fox: eyes to the front of the head ( To judge distance and size)
84
decribe the adpations of prey in:
rabbits
Frogs
ladybirds
rabbits (large ears) helping them identify preadtors approaching
Frogs: camouflages to avoid attack
ladybirds: bright red colour - indicate poisonious
85
name the 4 factors that affect population
symbiosis,predation, parasitism,competition
86
symbiosis
when two organisms from different specied live with eachother and at least one benefits
87
name example of symbiotic relationships
symbiotic bacteria in large intestines produce vitamin B and vitamin K for the human and they get food and shelter from the host
nitrogen fixing bacteria: live in root nodules in clover plants (legumes)
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mutalism
a form of symbiosis where both organisms benefit from the relationship
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predation
the hunting/catching and eating of another organism
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preadator
an organism that hunts/catches, kills and eats another organism called the prey
91
prey
the orgnisms eaten by the preadator
92
decribe the graph of a preadator-prey relationship
prey numbers peak before preadator numbers peak.
prey number higher than the preadator number
the preadator number increases when the prey is avliable.
preadators have lower number fie to energy loss in food chain
93
What is the purpose of a preadator prey relationship
controls eachothers population
preadaots control the number og heriviores to prevent over grazing
predtors eliminate less adapted prey (survival of the fittest)
94
name the advantage of introducing a preadtor as biological control
avoids pestacides
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name the disadvantage of introducing a preadator as biological control
can affect balance in nature by altering food chains
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factors that affect preadator prey relationships
avalibality of food; large prey numbers= large preadator numbers
disease; decrease population numbers
migration of preadators; small prey population - preadators migrate = large prey population
97
3 affects in an ecosystem is a plant specied dissapers
animals that use the plant as a source of food will be forced to migrate
animals who used the plant as a shelter will have to adapt
other plants that compete with this specied increase in number
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Name two effects in the ecosustem if an animal dissapears
the prey or plant tht animal ate will increase in number
other animal species that competed with this animal increase in number fue to less competition
99
parasitism is a form of...
symbiosis
100
how are parasites different from other preadators
they can attack the host inside the body
101
Advantages of parasited
regulate population numbers
102
what is competition
when two organisms fight for a resource which is in short supply
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Intra-specific competition
name an example
struggle for a resource which is in short supply between the same specied
two robins fighting for terratory
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Inter-specific competition
name an example
struggle for a resource between different species
blackbird + thrush compete for food
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name the two types of competition
contest competition
scramble competition
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contest competition
name an example
when two organisms fight physically for a resource and only one gets the resourse
two male deers fight for a female
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scramble competition
name an example
when organisms stuggle for a supply, each organism gets a small share of the resource
eg bird compeing for food
108
how does competition restrict population size
only sucessful competors will survive
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what is the driving force behind evoltuion
competiton
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how do animals avoid competition
changing their feeding habits
camouflage
moving away from over populated areas
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how do plants avoid competition
produce large amounts of seeds
having long roots to adsorb water+minerals from deeper levels of the soil
112
name factors that affect human population
war
famine
contraception
disease
113
name reasons for huge increase in human population
better food quality
better sanination
better medical care
114
Why is it important to measure populations of different populations?
Measure changes on biodeversity caused by the destruction of habitats, populations or disease. Asses the impact of human activity
115
how do you identify plants and animals?
using an identification key
116
describe and explain how to use a pooter
place tube w/o gauze over organism suck in from tube with gauze to collect organism into jar
collects small insects
117
describe and explain how to use a tulgren funnel
the heat from the bulb causes insects to move down into soil and filter and fall into the jar/ with alcohol
118
describe and explain how to use a beating tray
place under a bush, shrub or low braches of a tree then shake it.organisms fall into the tray for identification, collects insects, caterpillars and spiders
119
describe and explain how to use a mammel trap
bait is placed inside and small animals enter and become trapped
120
describe and explain how to use a sweep net
sweeps over long grass to collect insects
eg butterfly
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describe and explain how to use a pitfall trap
place bait in trap,place large stone on top tp prevent rain entry
captures flightless insects
122
what is a quantitative study
tells you the number of organisms present
123
what is a qualative study
tells you if an organism is absent or present
124
name three abiotic factors you measured
soil pH
Air temperture
Light intensity
125
how did you measire soil pH
recorded using a pH meter
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how did you measure air temperture
thermometer
127
how did you measure light intensity
light meter
128
Describe how you conducted a qualative study for plants ( estimate the % frequency of plants in an ecosystem)
throw a pen in chosen sample over your shoulder (random selection)
Place quadrat over pen
record presence/ absence of plant
repeat at least 9 more times
presence or absence of a plant is recorded and presented in a table
calculate the frequence of the number of plants present.
Number of times present/no of qudrant throws x 100 =% freqency
129
what is a disadvantage of the quadrant throw method
cant be used on animals or large plants
130
describe the method on how you relate distribution of plants to abiotic factors
line transect method, rope should be straight across habitat
the rope is market at 1 m intervals. Record the number of plants touching the light at each station.
record abiotic factors at each station
131
describe how you conducted a quantative study of animals in your chosen ecosystem
estimate the population of an animal using the capture - recapture method.
1-set up pitfall trap and place bait inside
2- leave trap in the ecosysten for 24hrs
3- after 24hrs, count the no of woodlice in trap (C1) record this.
4_ Mark the animals (Do not harm the animals)
5.On the second visit (days later) reset trap in excact same area
record number of woodlice caught.
6.Dertimine no of population using : C1 x C2 /M1 (marked)
132
in your study of an ecosystem, list potential sources of error
sample size us too small, not acurate
Identifying orgamisms incorrectlly (Use a key)
Bias
133
list local scological issues related to woodland ecosystem
birds and rabbits killsed by domestic cats
Increased sparrow population due to local bird feeders
forgein garden plants colonising habitat
