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Relationships in an ecosystem (Keywords (Population (Factors limiting…
Relationships in an ecosystem
Keywords
Environment
Describes the conditions within an ecosystem these conditions are know as environmental factors
Physical factors
Temperature
pH
Light
Wind
Water
Biological factors
Predators
Competitors
Adaptation
Definition
Features of animals and plants which help them to live successfully in their environment
Plants
Cacti have no leaves, have spikes and are able to store water for a very long time
Pine needles are true leaves that are curved with the stomata inside to contain water
Grass has growing points low to the ground so when the lush, green leaves are eaten by animals, the grass will grow again
Animals
Polar bears and penguins have extra layers of fat
Camels in the desert have big feet and store water. The sandy colour gives camouflage from predators in the desert
Ecology
Definition
The study ecosystems
Population
Definition
A number of organisms in the same species which exist in a habitat
Populations will increase due to new births and immigration
Populations will decrease due to deaths and emigration
Factors limiting population growth are:
Shortage of space (stress and spread of disease)
Predation
Food shortage
Increase in toxins for example, insecticides, fertilisers
Sampling and estimating the size of a population using a quadrat
Count number of organisms in the quadrat
Repeat this for a sample for several quadrats and calculate the mean. Call this number 'n'
Place the quadrat on the ground
Count the total number of quadrats and call this number 'q'. Total population = 'n' multiplied by 'q'
Community
Definition
All the living organisms with in a habitat
The community will consist of a collection of populations
A population is a collection of organisms from the same species
A habitat and the communities add together to make an ecosystem
Food chains
Definition
A food chain is a mechanism where each organism provides food for the net organism in the chain
In a food chain you producers and consumers
Producers are usually plants
Consumers are either omnivores, herbivores or carnivores
Habitat
Definition
A place where a living organism lives (pond, field, house wood etc.)
A habitat has to provide:
Shelter
Food
Protection from predators
Food webs