Ecosystems Flashcards
(16 cards)
Define: biodiversity
Abundance, variety, and genetic variability of organisms in an ecosystem.
Define: Abiotic
Non living components of an ecosystem.
Eg. Physical geography, morphology, and climate
Define: biotic
The living component of ecosystems
Eg. Flora and fauna
Define: carnivore
Predator that captures and consumes other animals
Define: climax species
An ecological community that represents the culminating stage of forest succession in its given area
Define: decomposer
Organism that breaks down dead biotic material into its organic and eventually inorganic components.
Define: disturbance
An event which disrupts the ecosystem, community, or population structure in a way what changes the availability of resources, infrastructure, and substrate availability.
Eg. Landslide, fire, wind throw, disease, insects
Define: ecology
Study of interactions between an organism and the physical and biological components of its environment
Define: forest
according to UN
Ecosystem dominated by trees
>.5 ha, tree canopy is >10%, capable of growing 5m tall or more
What is forestry?
The science, art and practice of managing the composition, structure and function of forest ecosystems for a multitude of social, environmental, and cultural values
What is forest ecology?
The scientific study of patterns, processes, interrelationships an organisms in an ecosystem
What is a tree?
A perennial plant with above and below ground woody structures capable of growing greater than 3 meters tall
What is a tropic level?
Position in the food change described by the number of energy transfers taken to reach that level
What is a primary producer?
Organisms which make their own food using inorganic sources such as solar energy in the case of plants (photosynthesis)
Define Silvics
The study of the life history, characteristics and ecology of forest trees
Define: silviculture
The branch of forestry concerned with managing and tending a forest. It is applied forest ecology.
