Ecosystems

Question 1

Define biotic

Answer 1

A living resource

Question 2

Define the Gerscha Model

Answer 2

The transfer of nutrients between the living and non-living parts of an ecosystem

Question 3

Define ecosystem

Answer 3

A community of interacting organisms and their physical environments

Question 4

Define leaching

Answer 4

The washing away of nutrients downwards into the soil and rock

Question 5

Define biomass

Answer 5

The overall number/ quantity of organisms in an area

Question 6

Define shrub layer

Answer 6

The main layer of the tropical rainforest

Question 7

Define buttress roots

Answer 7

The large roots at the base of a tree that keeps it anchored up right

Question 8

Define drip tip leaves

Answer 8

Pointed ends to leaves which means water runs off quickly, preventing algae and moss growing

Question 9

Define decomposition

Answer 9

When living matter rots and breaks down

Question 10

Define food web

Answer 10

Who eats who in an ecosystem

Question 11

Define camouflage

Answer 11

Changes to an animals appearance so that it blends in with the background

Question 12

Define non- native

Answer 12

Not native to a particular place

Question 13

Define afforestation

Answer 13

Planting trees on land that didn’t have trees there beforehand

Question 14

Define biodiversity

Answer 14

A range in organic species - plants and animals

Question 15

Define eutrophication

Answer 15

The richness in water sources causing dense plantlife

Question 16

Define structure

Answer 16

The division of a forest into a number of distinct layers

Question 17

Define abiotic

Answer 17

A Non living resource

Question 18

Define climate

Answer 18

Weather conditions of an area

Question 19

Define a good

Answer 19

Physical things which can be obtained from an ecosystem eg timber

Question 20

Define a service

Answer 20

Intangible things that are supplied by an ecosystem, eg recreation and tourism

Question 21

Define litter

Answer 21

Leaves, twigs, and other dead organic matter that falls onto the surface of the soil

Question 22

Define hydrosphere

Answer 22

All water on earth

Question 23

Define lithosphere

Answer 23

Rigid outer part of earth, rust and upper mantle

Question 24

Define deforestation

Answer 24

The permanent removal of large areas of forest so that it can be used for something else

Question 25

Define producer

Answer 25

Plants that produce energy via photosynthesis

Question 26

Define carnivore

Answer 26

Animals that eat other animals

Question 27

Define primary consumer

Answer 27

Eats the producer

Question 28

Define secondary consumer

Answer 28

Eats the primary consumer and maybe producers.

Question 29

Define predators

Answer 29

Eat the prey

Question 30

Define deciduous

Answer 30

Trees that shed their leaves each year to cope with reductions in light and temperatures

Question 31

Define conifers

Answer 31

Trees that have needles, rather than leaves, which they shed throughout the year

Question 32

Define tree-crop

Answer 32

A type of cultivation where a few trees are cut down, undergrowth burnt and crops planted

Question 33

Define moorland

Answer 33

Rough grassland and bogs In upland areas of the Uk

Question 34

Define headlands

Answer 34

Lowland areas which have dry sandy soils with depressions that are peaty and boggy

Question 35

Define wetland

Answer 35

Waterlogged areas in lowland UK often drained for farmland eg The Fens

Question 36

Define woodland

Answer 36

Areas of deciduous trees, native to the UK, and conifer plantations that are non-native,