Topic 9: Ecosystems and Material Cycles Flashcards
What are abiotic factors?
The non-living aspects of an ecosystem, e.g. temperature, light intensity, moisture and pollutants.
What is a belt transect?
A line along a sampled area upon which quadrats are placed at intervals to determine the abundance and distribution of organisms in an ecosystem.
What is biodiversity?
The variety of living organisms in an ecosystem.
What is biofuel?
A renewable energy source produced from biomass.
What is biomass?
The total mass of organic material, measured in a specific area over a set period.
What are biotic factors?
The living components of an ecosystem, e.g. food availability, competition, predators and other species.
What is blackspot fungus?
An indicator species that is found on rose leaves. It is sensitive to the concentration of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere so its presence indicates clean air.
What is a blood worm?
A type of indicator species that is adapted to live in water with high levels of pollution.
What is a captive breeding program?
The breeding of endangered animals in enclosures (such as zoos) to increase population numbers and preserve biodiversity.
What is the carbon cycle?
The cycle through which carbon (in the form of carbon dioxide) moves between living organisms and the environment. It involves respiration, photosynthesis and combustion.
What is a community in ecology?
All of the populations of different species living together in a habitat.
What is competition in an ecosystem?
When different organisms compete for the same resources (e.g. light, water, mates, territory) in an ecosystem.
What is compost?
Dead and decaying organic matter, commonly used as a fertiliser.
What is conservation?
The maintenance of ecosystems and biodiversity by humans in order to preserve the Earth’s resources.
What is crop rotation?
The practice of growing different crops each year in a cycle. This replenishes nutrients that may have been depleted by the previous crop.
What are decomposers?
Organisms that release enzymes which catalyse the breakdown of dead plant and animal material into simpler organic matter.
What is decomposition?
The breakdown of dead materials into simpler organic matter.
What are denitrifying bacteria?
Anaerobic microorganisms (found in waterlogged soils) responsible for the conversion of nitrate ions to nitrogen gas.
What is desalination?
A process that removes salts from saline water to produce potable water.
What is an ecosystem?
The community of organisms (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of an area and their interactions.
What is the efficiency of biomass transfer?
The efficiency of biomass transfer between trophic levels is calculated using:
What is the efficiency of energy transfer?
The efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels is calculated using:
What is eutrophication?
The process in which pollution by nitrogen-containing fertilisers results in algal blooms and subsequent oxygen level reduction in bodies of water.
What are fertilisers?
Natural or artificial materials that are added to soils to provide essential nutrients and improve plant growth.
