Ecology

Question 1

Habitat

Answer 1

The non-living of an ecosystem. The place where an organism lives

Question 2

Niche

Answer 2

The role of an organism in the ecosystem

Question 3

Population

Answer 3

A group of individuals of the SAME species, living in the same place at the same time

Question 4

Community

Answer 4

All the DIFFERENT organisms of different species living in an ecosystem

Question 5

Biotic

Answer 5

Living parts of an ecosystem (the organisms)

Question 6

Abiotic

Answer 6

Non-living parts of the ecosystem (matter & energy)

Question 7

Producer

Answer 7

Organism that can make their own food. The includes all plants and some bacteria

Question 8

Consumer

Answer 8

Living organisms that feed on other living organisms

Question 9

Trophic level

Answer 9

Position in a food chain

Question 10

Heterotroph

Answer 10

Organism that gains it’s nutrients from complex organic material

Question 11

Chemoautotroph

Answer 11

Organisms that can produce it’s own food. All plants are autotrophs

Question 12

Saprotroph

Answer 12

Organisms that feed by secreting enzymes and then absorbing the digested products

Question 13

Decomposer

Answer 13

Organism that feed on dead & decaying matter eg) bacteria & fungi

Question 14

Mutualistic

Answer 14

Organisms of different species that live together and both benefit

Question 15

Primary Productivity

Answer 15

Rate of production of new biomass by producers

Question 16

Succession

Answer 16

A directional change in a community of organisms over time

Question 17

Primary Succession

Answer 17

Occurs in bare rock where no existing community

Question 18

Secondary Succession

Answer 18

Occurs after an existing ecosystem ecosystem has been disturbed (eg fires of floods)

Question 19

Climax community

Answer 19

The stable community that cannot be outcompeted - last stage of succession

Question 20

Sere

Answer 20

Community stages in succession

Question 21

Carrying capacity

Answer 21

The maximum population size that can be maintained over a period of time in a particular habitat

Question 22

Ecology

Answer 22

The study of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment

Question 23

How do you use a quadrat

Answer 23

It is used to sample plants in an ecosystem.
It can be used to measure: abundance by (number of individuals of each species)
Distribution (presence or absence of each species)
Or percentage cover for things like grass and moss.
Place the quadrat randomly using a random number generator or at evenly distributed points across the habitat.

Question 24

How to use a point frame

Answer 24

Lower the frame into a quadrat and record any plants touching the needles. If the frame has 10 needles, it should be lowered into the frame 10 times. To give 100 readings, so each individual that touches a needle represents 1% cover.

Question 25

How to use a line transect

Answer 25

Stretch out a tape measure through a habitat, and then take samples at regular intervals along the tape making a note of which species is touching the tape

Question 26

Belt transect

Answer 26

Stretch out a tape measure through a habitat and then take samples at regular intervals along the tape, by placing a quadrat next to the line (interrupted belt transect) and looking at the species within it. Alternatively, place a quadrat next to the line, moving it along the line after looking at each quadrat (continuous belt transect)