Vocabulary
What is an Ecosystem?
A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their non-living environment.
Whats the difference between an abiotic and a biotic factor?
An abiotic factor is a non-living component in an ecosystem and a biotic factor is a living component in an ecosystem.
What are the three models to show energy flow in an ecosystem?
Food web, Ecological pyramid, and food chain.
What is biodiversity?
The variety of organisms that live somewhere
what are two examples of human activities that impact biodiversity
deforestation, pollution
What is species richness?
The number of species found in a habitat.
What are three examples of both abiotic and biotic factors?
Abiotic: Animals, plants, and microorganisms.
Biotic: Sunlight, water, and temperature.
In an ecological pyramid how much does energy decrease by per level?
10%
What are three components necessary for biodiversity?
species variety, healthy environment, and genetic variety
What are some solutions to reduce human impacts on biodiversity?
planting more plant species, removing invasive plants, protecting habitats
What is species evenness?
The frequency or percentage of each species in a habitat.
What is one way an abiotic factor might limit population growth?
Drought, Flooding, Extreme temperatures, lack of nutrients, Sunlight deficiency.
Name each trophic level from bottom to top.
Producer, Primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer.
What are some things that could reduce biodiversity in an ecosystem?
Habitat loss, invasive species
What is a constraint?
limitations or restrictions that prevent evolutionary change,
What does it mean to have a limiting factor in an ecosystem?
A living or non-living condition that restricts the growth or distribution of a population.
What is one way a biotic factor might limit population growth?
Predator/prey ratio, plant life
What do food webs represent?
All paths of energy flow throughout an ecosystem.
Why is biodiversity in an ecosystem so important?
Because having a high biodiversity allows ecosystems to withstand major changes.
what are some constraints that need to be considered when considering these solutions
People might not have access to the resources to help.
What is the difference between an autotroph and a heterotroph?
An autotroph is an organism that creates its own food and a heterotroph is an organism that cannot produce its own food.
How do humans impact abiotic and biotic factors?
Pollution, habitat destruction, climate change
What does every food chain start with?
SUNLIGHT
What does HIPPCO stand for?
H: Habitat loss
I: Invasive species
P: Pollution
P: Population growth
C: Climate change
O: Overharvesting
how does the amount of energy available at each level in an ecological pyramid connect to population changes?
The energy available at each level in an ecological pyramid directly limits population size: only about 10% of energy transfers up, with the rest lost as heat.