Module 4 Ecosystem Dynamics Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is an ecosystem?
A biological system of interacting organisms and their physical environment. They are dynamic and every component plays a role in the process occurring in it.
What are abiotic factors?
They are the non-living parts of an ecosystem. They determine how biotic factors function in an environment and they have more impact than them.
What are biotic factors?
They are factors from every living, and those that are dead but once lived, organisms in an ecosystem
How does temperature affect environments?
It is a physical abiotic factors. Most organisms prefer environments between 0-45°c
What is distribution?
The distribution of a species describes where it is found and in what environments. They occupy areas where the factors of an environment suits them
What is abundance?
The abundance of a species is how many members of species live through an ecosystem
What are rainfall patterns?
It’s a physical abiotic factor, it is the amount of rain and how it’s spread over the year
How does altitude affect environments?
It is a physical abiotic factor. As it increases, so does the temperature, rainfall and pressure which all impact species living at high altitudes
What is soil composition?
It is a physical abiotic factor that depends on rock type, rainfall temperature and length of soil formation. Plants prefer specific soil types.
What is light penetration?
It is a physical abiotic factor. It is the amount of light and where it can reach. It influences distribution and abundance because plants require a certain amount of light to photosynthesize so rainforest floors have small ground dwelling plants
What are chemical abiotic factors?
They include pH and salinity levels
Most species only have a specific tolerance for chemical abiotic factors
What are dynamic abiotic factors?
They are factors that change including windspeed and patterns and wave factors
What are biotic factors?
Food sources
Predators
Competitors
Parasites
Disease-causing pathogens
Members of the same species
Human activity impacts
What is predation
It is a biotic factor. A consumer depends on other species as a food source
What are factors that affect predator prey relationships?
The number of predators competing for the same prey
The availability of the preys food
The birth and death rate
The number of males and females
The size of an ecosystem
The number of shelter sites available
What is predator prey population balance?
If a prey species reproduces as fast as it is predated it’s population will remain constant but if prey density increases it decreased so does the predator species
What is competition?
It is a biotic factor
Intraspecific competition is between individuals of the same species
Interspecific competition is between different species
It selects stronger individuals or species
What is a limiting factor?
The limiting factor of a populations size, density or growth is the scarcest resource required for survival and reproduction. A species will grow until it reaches the limited factor which will lead to competition between organisms needing that resource
What is the carrying capacity?
Aka the maximum load is the largest population that an ecosystem can sustain indefinitely with the available resources
What is underpopulation?
It is a biotic factor of a species having a lower density of population than is normal or desirable. It throws off an ecosystem as much as overpopulation
What are symbiotic relationship?
They are biotic factors occuring when organisms live in close association
Allelopathy
Parasitism
Mutualism
Commensalism
What is allelopathy?
A plant relationship where plants produce biomolecules into the soil inhibiting the growth of other plants to keep them out of its space to gain an advantage in water, soil for stability and sunlight. It is used for weed control. Eucalyptus leaf litter and pine needles are allelopathic
What is parasitism?
A relationship where one organism is benefitted and the other is disadvantaged. The parasite gains food and shelter from the host. It will feed on its tissues and fluids but not kill it so it doesn’t need another host. Strangler figs, mistletoe, ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, tinea) live on the host, Endo parasites (tapeworms) live in the host
