Geo Task Definitions

Question 1

Define Biomass

Answer 1

A measure of the mass of all organisms at a particular trophic level

Question 2

Define Food Chain

Answer 2

Series of organisms, each eating or decomposing the preceding one

Question 3

Define Tropic Levels

Answer 3

The feeding level of an organism is its trophic level

Question 4

Define Bioaccumulation

Answer 4

The gradual build up over time of a chemical in a living organism

Question 5

Define Ecosystem

Answer 5

The dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and their non-living environment as a functional unit

Question 6

Define Dynamic Equilibrium

Answer 6

When an ecosystem is in perfect balance

Question 7

Define Autotrophic Organisms

Answer 7

Self-sufficient manufacturers of food

Question 8

Define Heterotrophic Organisms

Answer 8

Are consumers that cannot make their own food

Question 9

Define Silting

Answer 9

Sediment going into rivers

Question 10

Define Deposition

Answer 10

The laying down of sediment carried by wind, flowing water, the sea or ice

Question 11

Define Resilience

Answer 11

The ability of an ecosystem to adapt to a changing environment and to restore function and structure following an episode of natural or human-induced stress

Question 12

Define Elasticity

Answer 12

The rate of recovery of an ecosystem after a stress

Question 13

Define Amplitude

Answer 13

Refers to the maximum level of strain before it becomes impossible for the ecosystem to recover.

Question 14

Define Ecosystem Resilience

Answer 14

Refers to the capacity of an ecosystem to recover from disturbance or withstand ongoing pressures

Question 15

Define Functional Redundancy

Answer 15

The greater the biodiversity of an ecosystem, the greater the likelihood that an organism can perform a different ecological role when the ecosystem is under pressure

Question 16

Define Vulnerability

Answer 16

Is the ecosystem’s sensitivity to stresses that can upset the ecological dynamic equilibrium

Question 17

Define Preservation

Answer 17

Refers to the protection of habitat (or of a species) in its existing form

Question 18

Define Conservation

Answer 18

Involves the planned use of natural resources in an effort to minimise waste and environmental damage.

Question 19

Define Utilisation

Answer 19

Involves the replacement of an ecosystem with a human-made environment that is capable of providing a sustainable yield

Question 20

Define Exploitation

Answer 20

Occurs when an ecosystem’s resources are used irrespective of the ecological consequences

Question 21

Define Atomsphere

Answer 21

A thin, gaseous veil surrounding the Earth, held to the planet by the force of gravity

Question 22

Define Lithosphere

Answer 22

The solid, outer portion of the earth

Question 23

Define Hydrosphere

Answer 23

Total amount of water on a planet. Includes water on the surface of the planet, underground, and in the air.

Question 24

Define Biosphere

Answer 24

Encompasses all plant and animal life within all spheres