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Biology (Mona) > Ecology > Flashcards

Ecology Flashcards

(67 cards)

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1
Q

6 ecosystems in Ireland

A 
freshwater pond 
grassland
woodland
rocky seashore 
peatland (bog)
hedgerow / soil
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2
Q

grassland

A

a mixture of species of grass and broadleaved plants

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3
Q

most common type of grassland in Ireland

A

the hill grazing type

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4
Q

4 habitats with grasslands

A

tree area
soil
hedgerow
stream

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5
Q

5 steps on how to study an ecosystem

A

give general description/overview
identify types of organisms present (qualitative survey)
estimate numbers of species present (quantitative survey)
investigate and record 3 abiotic factors
present and analyse the results

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6
Q

what does the qualitative survey involve?

A

different types of collecting apparatus and biological keys

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7
Q

material used for grassland study overview

A

bamboo canes, measuring tape and string

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8
Q

method for overview 5

A

mark out and measure boundaries of ecosystem
measure distance from boundaries to definite landmarks
transfer the readings onto graph paper (suitable scale)
label the plan
not the direction of north (using compass)

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9
Q

function of qualitative survey

A

records the types of organisms present

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10
Q

method for qualitative survey

A

identify and use the apparatus required to collect organisms in an ecosystem

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11
Q

qualitative survey:

mammal trap

A

collecting small mammals e.g rats, mice

  • place bedding and food inside
  • set the trapdoor
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12
Q

qualitative survey:

pitfall trap

A

collecting small mammals that crawl on the surface

e.g spiders, centipedes, woodlice

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13
Q

qualitative survey:

cryptozoic trap

A

collecting small animals that are more active at nigh e.g slugs, woodlice

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14
Q

qualitative survey:

pooter

A

collecting insects and spiders from surface of plants and litter

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15
Q

qualitative survey:

sweep net

A

collecting insects from long grass

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16
Q

qualitative survey:

beating tray

A

collecting small animals in a tree

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17
Q

qualitative survey:

how to do use a beating tray

A

hold a white cloth under a tree

hit a branch strongly

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18
Q

qualitative survey:

bearmann funnel

A

getting small animals out of the soil. animals come out to escape wet conditions

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19
Q

qualitative survey:

tullgren funnel

A

getting small animals out of soil - centipedes, millipedes. Animals come out to move away from light

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20
Q

qualitative survey:

direct search

A

plants, fungi and stationary animals can be collected by hand

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21
Q

flora

A

plants

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22
Q

fauna

A

animals

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23
Q

a key

A

leads to the naming of an organism by giving two descriptions at a time to choose from

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24
Q

quantitative survey

A

records the numbers of a species or the distribution of species in an ecosystem

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25
how is a quantitative survey done
using a quadrat
26
3 things that a quadrat may use
the frequency of a plant the percentage the numbers of a plant
27
what is a quadrat?
a square frame made of metal or wood
28
how to use a quadrat
the quadrat is thrown at random a number of times in the habitat
29
how is a random throw achieved
by throwing an object over your shoulder and placing the quadrat where the object lands
30
frequency/percentage cover
numbers of each species measure
31
2 limitations of using a quadrat
fast moving animals don't stay long enough to be recorded | large species will not fit in e.g trees in a woodland
32
frequency
the percentage chance of finding a species within a throw of the quadrat
33
method to measure the frequency of a plant species
throw the quadrat at random in the habitat record presence or absence of any 2 species repeat for a number of throws (10) record results on a table and calculate frequency
34
calculate percentage frequency
total found -------------------------------- x100 ` number of qs thrown
35
how do you present results of frequency
on a graph or bar chart
36
percentage cover
the amount of ground covered in a quadrat by the aerial parts of a species
37
how do you find percentage cover
using a grid quadrat and a knitting needle
38
describe finding percentage cover
a grid quadrat is divided using wires or string to form intersections or sampling points, A plant scores a hit if it is touched by the needle when placed in an intersection
39
method for finding percentage cover
throw a grid quadrat at random in chosen habitat push down needle at each intersection and record the number of times that the needle touches each plant repeat for number of throws record results on a table and calculate percentage cover
40
calculate percentage cover
total hits/total points x100
41
function of transects
used to study the distribution of plants and animals (non-moving) across a habitat
42
method to determine the distribution of a plant species along a line transect
- place string or rope, marked off at regular intervals from one edge of the habitat to each other - record the position of the plant each time it touches the rope, move the rope 3 times and record the positions - move the rope 3 times and record the positions - combine the results of all the line transects to calculate the distribution of the species
43
if a record of the abiotic features along the transect is taken what is possible?
to relate the distribution and abundance of organisms to changes in the environment within the habitat
44
how is the number or distribution of sessile and slow-moving animals e.g snails calculated
the sam way as plants (quadrats)
45
4 experiments to investigate abiotic factors
to determine the pH of a soil sample to determine the light intensity in a grassland ecosystem to determine the temperature of soil to determine the water content of soil
46
to determine the pH of a soil sample
add a few drops of universal indicator to a sample of soil on a white plate check the resulting colour against the pH colour chart record the number of the matching colour (or use pH meter)
47
to determine the light intensity in a grassland ecosystem
using a light meter, read and record the light intensity in a number of random sites, take all readings in 5 minutes after an hour, take another set of readings at random repeat this on a number of days
48
to determine the temperature of soil
place a soil thermometer in the soil and leave for an hour read and record the temperature repeat this at random in a number of sites repeat this on a number of days
49
to determine the water content of soil
weigh an evaporation dish using a balance weigh dish plus sample and find weight of sample place in warm oven at 100ºC until weight constant weigh again - find weight of soil water
50
3 sources of error in measuring techniques
human error changing ecosystems limitation of sample size
51
examples of human error
``` mistakes in measuring/recording species incorrectly identified lack of randomness in placing quadrats not enough quadrats supplied location of transects not typical of ecosystem use of unsuitable equipment ```
52
changing conditions
ecosystems may be affected by seasonal change, freak conditions, pollution. surveys should be carried out at regular intervals throughout the year
53
limitation of sample size
to study an ecosystem properly, a large number of habitats within it must be sampled the habitats shouldn't be too small, if they are, may plants and animals will be left out
54
5 plants with adaptions
``` perennial rye grass buttercup white clover dock dandelion ```
55
adaptions of perennial rye grass
needs bright light, dry ground/ pH 6.5-7 | grows best in open, free-draining soil
56
adaptions of buttercup
needs bright light and heat | it grows best in open, free-draining soil
57
adaptions of white clover
needs open ground with well-drained soil/ pH 6.5-7 | grows wells in nitrogen-poor soil (has nitrogen fixing bacteria)
58
adaptions of dock
needs fertile soil / pH 6.5-7 | can grow in partial shade as broad leaves can trap sunlight
59
adaptions of dandelion
needs bright light and dry soil, seeds are adapted for wind dispersal grows best in open, well-drained ground
60
6 animals with adaptions
``` snails rabbit spider earthworm ladybird fox ```
61
adaptions of snail
herbivore that prefers shade lives on leaves of trees and herbs has shell for protection against drying out snails are eaten by thrushes and foxes
62
adaptions of rabbit
herbivore that eat grass makes burrows to protect itself from predators rabbits are eaten by foxes
63
adaptions of spider
carnivore that feeds on living prey e.g flies, wasps webs to catch prey tough mouthparts for crushing prey spiders are eaten by thrushes, blackbirds
64
adaptions of earthworm
detritus feeder that feeds on decaying organic matter in damp soil stays mostly underground to avoid drying out earthworms are eaten by thrushes and blackbirds
65
adaptions of ladybirds
carnivores found in long grass eats aphids (greenfly) and scale insects tough outer exoskeleton for protection against predators ladybirds are eaten by thrushes
66
adaptions of foxes
carnivore | kills and eats prey (mice, rabbits)
67
presentation of results
portfolio drawn up: overview of ecosystem and habitat studied methods used to collect organisms methods used to identify organisms methods used to estimate number and distribution of org. results presented effect of 3 abiotic factors adaptions of some organisms role of organisms in transfer of energy (food chain/web.p) effect of any local ecological issues related to ecosystem

Biology (Mona) (38 decks)

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