All Flashcards
Define 'Ecosystem'.
A specific place where living (biotic) things interact with non-living (abiotic) things.
What are 'Biotic' factors?
Living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and bacteria.
What are 'Abiotic' factors?
Non-living components of an ecosystem, such as rocks, soil, air, and water.
Define 'Biosphere'.
All the ecosystems on Earth combined.
Define 'Niche'.
The role a species plays in its ecosystem.
Define 'Keystone Species'.
A species with a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem, relative to its abundance.
What are 'Ecosystem Engineers'?
Keystone species that create or modify habitats.
Define 'Mutualism'.
A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit (+/+).
Define 'Commensalism'.
A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is unaffected (+/0).
Define 'Parasitism'.
A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is harmed (+/-).
What is the effect of removing a keystone predator?
Can lead to a trophic cascade, altering the abundance and distribution of other species.
What is the effect of increased competition?
Can lead to resource partitioning, species extinction, or evolutionary adaptations.
What is the effect of sea otter removal on kelp forests?
Sea urchin populations increase, leading to overgrazing and destruction of kelp forests.
What is the effect of elephants creating watering holes?
Provides water sources for other species, increasing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
What is the effect of climate change on ecosystems?
Can alter species distributions, increase the frequency of disturbances, and disrupt ecosystem dynamics.
What is the effect of introducing an invasive species?
Can outcompete native species, alter food webs, and reduce biodiversity.
What is the effect of deforestation?
Habitat loss, soil erosion, decreased biodiversity, and altered climate patterns.
What is the effect of pollution on aquatic ecosystems?
Water contamination, harm to aquatic organisms, and disruption of food webs.
What is the effect of habitat fragmentation?
Reduced gene flow, increased edge effects, and decreased species diversity.
What is the effect of overfishing?
Depletion of fish stocks, disruption of marine food webs, and economic impacts on fishing communities.
What is the importance of biotic and abiotic interactions?
These interactions drive ecosystem processes and determine the distribution and abundance of species.
Explain predator-prey relationships.
Predators control prey populations; prey develop defenses. It's an evolutionary arms race.
Describe mutualism.
A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit (+/+).
Describe commensalism.
A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits, and the other is unaffected (+/0).
Describe parasitism.
A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits, and the other is harmed (+/-).
What happens when niches overlap too much?
Competition intensifies for limited resources.
What is the consequence of keystone species removal?
The loss of a keystone species can cause a domino effect, dramatically changing the ecosystem.
How do ecosystem engineers modify habitats?
They create or modify habitats, helping other species.
Why are ecosystem dynamics important?
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting how ecosystems will respond to changes like climate change or human activities.
How does resource partitioning reduce competition?
It allows species to share limited resources by using different parts of the resource or accessing it at different times.