Ecology and Ecosystems

Front

What is a habitat?

Back

The place that an organism lives, which may be aquatic (in the water) or terrestrial (on the land).

Front

What are the three spheres of the Earth?

Back

1. Atmosphere: layer of gases extending from the Earth's surface into space, moderates temperature, blocks UV light. 2. Lithosphere: rocky outer shell of the Earth, consists of rocks and minerals. 3. Hydrosphere: all the water on, above, or below the Earth's surface.

Front

What is the biosphere?

Back

The locations in which life can exist within the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere. All living things need space, water, and nutrients to survive.

Front

Define biome.

Back

A major type of community (plants and animals) found throughout the world, such as tundra, taiga, temperate forest, grassland, desert, tropical rainforest, savanna, ocean, coral reef.

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

A smaller type of community than a biome, consisting of all the interacting parts of a biological community and its surrounding abiotic environment.

Front

What is the fundamental difference between an ecosystem and a biome?

Back

Size. A biome is a global concept, while an ecosystem is a much smaller scale.

Front

What factors determine the location and makeup of a terrestrial ecosystem?

Back

Climate, particularly temperature and precipitation.

Front

What are the abiotic and biotic factors of the tundra?

Back

Abiotic: low temperatures, short growing season, permafrost, low precipitation. Biotic: low diversity, rapid flowering plants, mosses and lichens, caribou, lemmings, foxes.

Front

What are the abiotic and biotic factors of the temperate deciduous forest?

Back

Abiotic: longer growing season, higher temperatures, fertile soil, considerable precipitation. Biotic: deciduous trees and flowering plants, many insects, deer, black bear, many birds.

Front

What are the two main categories of aquatic ecosystems?

Back

Freshwater and saltwater.