MODULE 3: Biological diversity Flashcards
ecosystems definitions
The foundations of the biosphere (living things)
abiotic factors
non living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems
what is buoyancy
buoyancy is the ability to float
what is viscosity
viscosity is the denseness, thickness
biotic factors
living influences on where an organism lives.
explain distribution and abundance
distribution (where) and abundance (how many) can be influenced by abiotic factors
what are ecological relationships
predator (an organism that is hunting) feeds on its prey (the organism that is attracted).
competition:
infraspecific - same species compete for limited resources
interspecific - different species compete for shard resources.
allepothay is
chemicals released into the soil by trees to keep other plants away
symbiotic relationships
Mutualism: both species benefit
Commensalism: one species benefit, the other is unaffected
Parasitism: one species benefits, the other is harmed
Ecological niche
the sum total of a species use of the biotic and abiotic resources in its environment
how to calculate Quadrants
Abundance
Count no. in each quadrant using grid references
Add up total
Average in one box
Multiply by area
how to calculate Percentage cover Abundance
estimate what percentage of the area enclosed by the quadrant is occupied by each species.
explain food webs
Energy flow
Arrowheads point towards the consumer (producers start at the bottom)
mammals
Monotremes
(prototheria) lay eggs
Marsupials
(metatheria) give birth to their primitive young and raise them in a pouch
Placental mammals
(eutheria) give birth to fully developed young
