GE ELECT 4 - Module 5 & 6 Flashcards
(61 cards)
An ______________ is a structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment.
ecosystem
- It refers to the rate of biomass production.
Productivity
- It is the sequential process through which energy flows from one trophic level to another. The energy captured from the sun flows from producers to consumers and then to decomposers and finally back to the environment.
Energy flow
- It is the process of breakdown of dead organic material. The top-soil is the major site for decomposition.
Decomposition
- In an ecosystem nutrients are consumed and recycled back in various forms for the utilization by various organisms.
Nutrient cycling
A is an ecosystem that is found on land. In terrestrial ecosystems, organisms live in the soil and in the air. Examples of terrestrial ecosystems are forests, grasslands, tundra, and deserts.
terrestrial ecosystem
is an ecosystem where many organisms live together with the environment’s abiotic components. There are many different flora and fauna in this ecosystem. Forests are significant carbon sinks and participate in controlling and balancing the overall temperature of the Earth.
forest ecosystem
- Tropical evergreen forests are found mostly near the equator. They have sparse undergrowth interspersed with clearings.
Tropical evergreen forest
- Tropical deciduous forests are also called the monsoon forests and spread over the region receiving rainfall between 200 cm and 70 cm. Trees of this forest-type shed their leaves for about six to eight weeks in dry summer.
Tropical deciduous forest
- Temperate evergreen forests are found in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, in areas that generally receive between 300 and 900 mm of rain per year and with seasonal temperature extremes ranging from -40 to 20 °C.
Temperate evergreen forest
- The average daily temperatures range between -30°C (-22°F) and 30°C (86°F) with a yearly average of 10°C (50°F). Hot summers and cold winters are typical in this biome. On average, this biome receives 750 to 1,500 millimeters (30 to 59 inches) of rain per year.
Temperate deciduous forest
- The taiga is a forest of the cold, subarctic region. The soil beneath the taiga often contains permafrost—a layer of permanently frozen soil. Coldness is the dominant climatic factor in taiga ecosystems, although a surprising diversity of climates exists.
Taiga
are referred to as those ecosystems where the number of trees is low. These ecosystems mainly consist of grasses, shrubs, and herbs. Grassland ecosystems are commonly situated in both the tropical and temperate regions globally; however, they have distinct variations.
Grassland ecosystems
- are grasslands that are located closer to the equator than prairies. Savannas can receive as much as 120 cm of rain per year. In addition to grass, scattered shrubs and small trees can grow in the savanna.
Savanna
are devoid of trees and are found in cold climates or where rainfall is scarce. These are covered with snow for most of the year. Tundra type of ecosystem is found in the Arctic or mountain tops. Because rainwater cannot soak into the permafrost, there are many shallow ponds and marshy areas of the tundra during the summer.
Tundra ecosystems
exist worldwide and cover about 17 percent of desert areas. These are areas where annual rainfall is usually measured less than 25 mm. Due to fewer trees and land of sand, sunlight intensifies in these ecosystems.
Desert ecosystems
TYPES OF DESERT ECOSYSTEM
- Sand desert
- Rock desert
- Stony desert
- Plateau desert
- Cold desert
is an ecosystem that is found in water. Aquatic ecosystems are home to a wide variety of plants and animals. The two main types of aquatic ecosystems are freshwater ecosystems and marine ecosystems.
aquatic ecosystem
The __________is an aquatic ecosystem that includes lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands. These have no salt content in contrast with the marine ecosystem.
freshwater ecosystem
- Water bodies that are moving slowly or are still in some places come under lentic. For example, ponds, lakes, pools, etc. Lakes are known as large water bodies and are surrounded by land.
Lentic Ecosystem
- Water bodies that are moving at a fast pace fall under a lotic. For example, streams and rivers. Animals adapt to the stream/river’s current (hooks and suckers to cling to rocks, streamline bodies). Few plants or algae can grow because of the strong currents. Animals rely on seeds and leaves to fall in the water as food.
Lotic Ecosystem
- Environments characterized by soils saturated with water for a long time fall under wetlands.
Wetland Ecosystem
are usually characterized by the presence of salt content. These ecosystems have a higher salt content than the freshwater ecosystem. Moreover, they are known as the largest type of ecosystem on Earth.
Marine ecosystems
VARIOUS HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT AFFECT AN ECOSYSTEM
- Agriculture
- Deforestation
- Overpopulation and consumption
- Plastic production
- Emission of greenhouse gases and other greenhouse gases
- Destruction of the reefs
- Draining streams/rivers and destruction of critical freshwater aquifer recharge areas (water pollution)
- Overhunting and overexploitation
- Invasive species