Ecosystems

Question 1

Ecosystem

Answer 1

A system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms (plants, animals, microbes) with the environment (air, water, soil). They occur at all scales.

Question 2

Biomes

Answer 2

A major regional or global biotic community, such as desert or equatorial rainforest, characterised chiefly by the dominant forms of plant and life and the prevailing climate.

Question 3

Biotic Environment

Answer 3

Is made up of of both plants and animals.
Plants- all living vegetation but also dead decomposing plant matter.
Animals- fish, birds, insects, mammals (including people), microorganisms.

Question 4

Biogeography

Answer 4

Study of ecosystems, soils, vegetation. It links humans and physical geography.

Question 5

Abiotic Environment

Answer 5

Inorganic substances and other environmental influences. Chemical and physical components of an ecosystem.

• minerals in the soil released by weathering of rock.
• water and gases in the soil.
• relief and drainage of land.
• climatic variables such as wind, light and seasonal patterns of precipitation and temperature.

Question 6

Human Impacts

Answer 6

Ecosystems provide our food. But we are changing and threatening these ecosystems. Therefore essential for a sustainable future i.e. conservation and stewardship (responsible planning and management of resources/environment).

Question 7

Nutrient Cycling

Answer 7

Nutrients being recycled from one store to another.

Question 8

Biomass Store

Answer 8

Contains all living plant and animal matter.

Question 9

Soil Store

Answer 9

Contains minerals from rock in addition to humus from decomposed plant and animal remains.

Question 10

Litter Store

Answer 10

Sits on top of the soil and contains both dead and decaying plant and animal material.

Question 11

Ecology

Answer 11

The scientific study of organisms and their environment.

Question 12

Carbohydrates contain…

Answer 12

Amino acids, sugars, starches, proteins, fats and vitamins - all the organic materials needed by animals for growth, movement and reproduction.

Question 13

Producers

Answer 13

Autotrophs

Question 14

Primary consumers

Answer 14

Herbivores

Question 15

Secondary consumers

Answer 15

Carnivores

Question 16

Tertiary consumers

Answer 16

Omnivores

Question 17

Balance of nature

Answer 17

Is the state of balance (equilibrium) between living organisms in a biotic environment and inorganic non living substances in abiotic environments.

Question 18

Gross primary production (GPP)

Answer 18

The total amount of energy absorbed and fixed by green plants through photosynthesis.

Question 19

Net Primary Production (NPP)

Answer 19

The amount of useful energy fixed by plants after respiration (measured in kg/m2/yr)

Question 20

R

Answer 20

Carbon respiration

Question 21

Ephemeral plants

Answer 21

Life span is short, maybe a few weeks.

Question 22

Temperate climate

Answer 22

No extremes- not too hot or too cold.

Question 23

Maritime climate

Answer 23

Influenced by the sea.

Question 24

Biodiversity

Answer 24

The variety of different plants and animals in an area.

Question 25

Plant communities

Answer 25

The various plants growing together in a particular habitat.

Question 26

Climatic climax vegetation

Answer 26

The final stage of a natural vegetation succession where all the plants are in equilibrium with the climatic and environmental conditions of the area. This plant community will remain so long as its habitat does not change.

Question 27

Succession

Answer 27

The progressive natural development of vegetation and associated community through several stages under the influence of physical factors.

Question 28

The climate determines...

Answer 28

what will grow and how fast it will grow.

Question 29

What happens as successions progress?

Answer 29

- size of individuals increase. - more species. - biomass increases. - greater number of niche - niche is a little spot that something prefers. - diversity can increase.

Question 30

What does deciduous mean?

Answer 30

The trees and shrubs shedding foliage at the end of the growing season.

Question 31

Deciduous

Answer 31

Plants shed their leaves in the autumn. This allows them to reduce transpiration when less moisture is available (much of the water in the soil is frozen) and helps protect the branches from snow and ice damage.

Question 32

Biodiversity

Answer 32

Is short for biological diversity. It is the number and types of organisms in an ecosystem, region or environment.

Question 33

Keystone species

Answer 33

An organism that links many other species together, much like the keystone of an arch.

Question 34

Symbiotic relationship

Answer 34

Close interaction that benefits both species involved in the relationship. The species often depend on this relationship in order to survive and prosper.

Question 35

Urban niche

Answer 35

A specialist urban habitat, such as around neglected buildings and on wasteland.

Question 36

Urban blight

Answer 36

The associated problems of crime, neglect and lack of economic nicest meant that lead to areas of a town or city suffering significant decay. Evidence of this decline may be abandoned and empty buildings or population loss.

Question 37

Natural England

Answer 37

Replaced English Nature on 1 October 2006. Natural England is the government's principle advisor on the natural environment. It aims to both conserve England's natural environment and make it available for the benefit of everyone.

Question 38

Sustainable development

Answer 38

'Development which meets the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' (Brundtland Report, United Nations, 1987). In practise, sustainable development should result in a fairer society, with the benefits of economic growth shared across all parts of a population. It is not solely about conservation of the environment.

Question 39

Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs)

Answer 39

In response to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the UK Biodiversity Action Plan was developed. It sets national priorities and targets for conservation. Action was also taken at local levels with the creation of local biodiversity plans.

Question 40

Carbon sinks

Answer 40

The term used to describe the capacity for plants to absorb carbon dioxide front eh atmosphere and therefore help to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.

Question 41

Development continuum

Answer 41

Is the range of levels of economic development, from the poorest to the wealthiest countries.