Ecology Flashcards
(20 cards)
Habitat
The part of an
ecosystem where an
organism lives.
Species
This is a group of
organisms that can
breed together to…
Population
This is the organisms of
the same species that
share a particular
habitat.
Community
This is made up of all the
organisms that share a
particular habitat.
Competition
A word that describes
the fact that organisms
often need the same
resources
Independent
A word that describes
how organisms rely on
and impact upon each
other.
Biotic factors
Other living things can affect a particular population
E.g a new pathogen or parasite
Abiotic Factors
Non-living things can affect a particular population
E.g light intensity
Light intensity
Can limit photosynthesis so affects distribution of plants and animals
Breeding cycles of many animals and plants is linked to day length and light intensity
Temperature
Temperature is a limiting factor on photosynthesis and therefore growth in plants. This may affect the plants therefore the number of herbivores that can survive and so the number of carnivores in the community.
Soil pH and mineral content
The level of mineral ions has a considerable impact on the distribution of plants. The pH soil also has a has major effect on what can grow in it and on the rate of decay and therefore on the the release of minerals ions back into the soil.
Moisture levels
If there is no water, there will be little or no life. As a rule, plants and animals are relatively rare in a dessert as the availability of water is limited.
Wind intensity and direction
In areas with strong prevailing winds, the shape of the trees and the whole landscape is affected by the wind, it also means that plants transpire fast.
Availability of oxygen
The availability of oxygen has a huge impact on water-living organisms. Some invertrates can survive in water with very low oxygen levels.
Availability of Carbon dioxide
The level of carbon dioxide acts as a limiting factor for photosynthesis and plant growth. It can also affect the distribution of organisms.
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is the interaction between the community of living organisms in the ecosystem and the non-living parts of the environment…
Food availability
When there is lots of food, organisms breed more easily
New pathogens or parasites
When a new pathogen or parasite emerges, organisms have no resistance to the disease. A new pathogen can damage and even wipe out populations in a community
New predator’s arrival
Organisms that have no defence against new predators may quikly be wiped out
Interspecific competition (competition between species)
A new species may outcompete another to the point where numbers become too low for successful breeding
