Ecology and Ecosystems Flashcards
(23 cards)
study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other & their natural environment
Ecology
all living organisms (biotic factors) + all nonliving (abiotic factors) + physical components (air, soil, water, sunlight) in a particular area which is in constant interaction with each other
Ecosystem
permanently frozen subsoil
Tundra
long, severe winters, summers with thawing subsoil
Taiga
sparse rainfall, extreme daily temperature changes
Desert
rainfall and temperature vary greatly, strong prevailing winds
Grasslands
heavy rainfall, constant warmth
Tropical Rainforest
moderate precipitation, cold winters, warm summers
Temperate-deciduous
demonstrates the transfer of energy from plants through a series of organisms with repeated stages of eating and being eaten
Food chain
demonstrates the interactions of various food chains
Food web
Can be used to illustrate the loss of usable at each feeding level.
Energy pyramid
provides energy for all living things
Sun
“Producers” or the green plants. Ability to produce own energy through the energy of the sun & organic compounds.
Autotrophs
the consumers
Heterotrophs
animals that eat plants
Herbivores
animals that eat other animal
Carnivores
animals that live off of other organisms by harming it
Parasites
animals that eat dead animal carcasses
Scavengers
decomposers or organic wastes and dead organisms are eventually broken down to simpler substance
Saprophytes
an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm
Commensalism
relationship that is beneficial to both organisms involved
Mutualism
association of a predator and a prey; the prey is hunted and killed by the predator for food
Predation
association of a parasite and host; the parasite lives in or in the host and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host’s expense
Parasitism
