Unit B Flashcards
What is an Ecotone? Why do they contain more biodiversity than the bordering ecosystems?
An Ecotone is a transition area, it contains bordering ecosystems. They contain more biodiversity than the bordering ecosystems because they contain species from both ecosystems instead of only certain ecosystems.
What is a population, community and ecosystem?
A population is all the members of the same species living in an area.
A community is a collection of all the species living in an ecosystem or habitat.
A ecosystem includes the community of living things and it’s physical environment.
What is an ecological niche?
An organisms role in an ecosystem. Place in a good web, habitat, breeding area.
How do invasive species affect a native species?
They get rid of native species, they outcompete the natural species that is there.
What is a biome?
A large geographical region that has a specific climate, plants and animals are adapted are adapted to this climate.
What are the four terrestrial biomes of Canada?
- Tundra
- Taiga
- Temperate deciduous forest
- Grassland
Canada’s aquatic biomes?
Freshwater: lakes rivers and pond ecosystems.
Marine or salt water: all ocean ecosystems.
Where is the taiga biome? Where is it found?
Found in every province in Canada. Arctic cold.
Main plants of the taiga ecosystem?
Conifers, trees, shrubs.
What is a canopy?
Upper layer of vegetation in a forest.
What is contained at the forest floor? Abiotic components.
Continuous shade, rocks, dirt, water.
Difference between an niche and habitat?
Niche- and organisms role in an environment
Habitat- a place that is acceptable for the survival or organisms
Definition of terrestrial?
Anywhere on earth that is not covered by water.
What are coniferous trees and deciduous trees?
Coniferous- cones, needles
Deciduous- leaves
How are coniferous trees adapted to the Taiga?
They are adapted to warm moist summer and cold dry winters by having needle like leaves that provide less surface area for water loss during winter. They also have a thick cuticle of wax that coats the needles… The pyramid shape of a tree allows for the snow to fall off during winter.
Ecosystems of the Taiga Biome:
Muskeg, forest floor, canopy.
Ecosystems of the Grassland Biome:
Grassland, deciduous forest.
Littoral zone?
The littoral zone is the point from the lakeshore to the point where there is no longer plants rooted to the bottom of the lake.
Limbering zone?
The area of open lake. This is the area where there is enough light for photosynthesis to occur.
Profound zone? What is the source of nutrients of the pro fundal zone?
Beneath the limnetic zone. There is not enough light for photosynthesis to occur here. The source of nutrients in the profundal zone are the dead plant and animals that fall from the limnetic zone. These are broken down by bacteria, reducing oxygen levels.
What are the factors that affect terrestrial ecosystems?
- Soil
- Temperature
- Available water
- Sunlight
What are the factors affecting aquatic ecosystems?
- Chemical environment
- Temperature and sunlight
- Water pressure
- Seasonal variations
Explain the factors affecting aquatic ecosystems?
Chemical environment: fresh water vs salt water, dissolved oxygen, dissolved substances.
Temperature and sunlight: varies with the seasons, affected by depth of water, hydrothermal vents provide head on ocean floor to support life.
Water pressure: sea animals are limited to how much they can move up or down
Seasonal variations: (turnovers in spring, fall)
Name the four factors that limit populations and communities?
- Biotic potential
- Limiting factors
- Carrying capacity
- Limits of tolerance
