Ecology- Ecosystems and Succession theory

?
What is an ecosystem?
Set of relationships between all biotic and abiotic factors in an area
1 of 20
What is a biotic factor?
Living organism in an ecosystem
2 of 20
What is an abiotic factor?
Non-living element of an ecosystem
3 of 20
What's a biome?
Area with distinctive climate or vegetation e.g Tropical Rainforest
4 of 20
How does energy enter an ecosystem?
Photosythesis
5 of 20
What is a trophic level?
Each step up a food chain
6 of 20
What is biomass measured in?
Dry g/m^2
7 of 20
How much energy is lost at each trophic level?
90%
8 of 20
How is energy lost within a food chain?
MRS GREN
9 of 20
How is energy recyled within an ecosystem?
Detritoveres/decomposers; respiration=CO2
10 of 20
What is succsesion?
The process by which an ecosystem changes over time
11 of 20
Define 'sere'.
Each stage of succession
12 of 20
What's primary succession?
Succession starting on new exposed rock i.e when a volcano erupts
13 of 20
What's secondary succession?
Succession starting on soil; due to reasons such as fires killing previous plants
14 of 20
What's a pioneer species?
First species to colonise an area
15 of 20
What's the pioneer species for a psammosere?
Marram Grass
16 of 20
What does a pioneer species do?
Change the abiotic conditions by forming soil and increasing the fertility of the area
17 of 20
What is a climatic climax community?
End product of succession i.e oak tree for Temperate Decidous Woodland
18 of 20
What is a psammosere?
Sand Dune succession
19 of 20
Outline the proccess of sand dune succession
Pioneer species-binds sand together-forms thin soil-alkaline; new species colonise(sand sedge)- soil deepens-allows larger plants to colonise; soil deepens 400m from beach trees can grow (ash) soild still sandy; climax community.
20 of 20

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is a biotic factor?

Back

Living organism in an ecosystem

Card 3

Front

What is an abiotic factor?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What's a biome?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

How does energy enter an ecosystem?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Geography resources:

See all Geography resources »See all Ecosystems resources »