Biology Ecology & Environmental Interactions Flashcards

What is an ecosystem?

Answer: A community of organisms and their environment

An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms (biotic factors) and their physical environment (abiotic factors) in a particular area. These living and non-living components interact with each other, forming a complex and interconnected system. This definition highlights the crucial interplay between life and its surroundings.

What is a food web?

Answer: A network of interconnected food chains

A food web illustrates the complex feeding relationships within an ecosystem, showing how energy flows through multiple interconnected food chains. Unlike a simple food chain, it depicts that most organisms consume and are consumed by more than one type of species. This interconnectedness provides a more realistic representation of energy transfer in nature.

What is biodiversity?

Answer: The variety of life in a habitat or ecosystem

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, encompassing the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems. It measures the health and resilience of an ecosystem, as greater diversity often leads to greater stability. Protecting biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and ecosystem services.

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer: Gases trapping heat and warming the planet

The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space. This trapped heat warms the planet, making it habitable for life. However, increased concentrations of these gases due to human activities are intensifying this effect, leading to global warming.

What is a keystone species?

Answer: A species that greatly affects ecosystem balance

A keystone species is an organism that plays a unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions. Its removal can trigger a cascade of negative effects, leading to significant changes in the ecosystem's structure and even the extinction of other species. These species are vital for maintaining biodiversity and ecological stability.

What is ecological succession?

Answer: Gradual change in ecosystems over time

Ecological succession describes the predictable and gradual process by which the species structure of an ecological community changes over time. This process can occur after a disturbance, like a fire, or in newly formed habitats, leading to a more stable climax community. It demonstrates the dynamic nature of ecosystems and their ability to recover and evolve.

What is carrying capacity?

Answer: Maximum sustainable population an environment can support

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size of a biological species that can be sustained indefinitely by a given environment, considering available resources like food, water, and space. When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, resource depletion and environmental degradation often occur. This concept is fundamental to understanding population dynamics and resource management.

What is an abiotic factor?

Answer: Non-living components like light and temperature

An abiotic factor refers to the non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems. Examples include sunlight, temperature, water, soil pH, and nutrient availability. These factors are crucial because they determine which organisms can survive and thrive in a particular habitat.

What is the water cycle?

Answer: The continuous movement of water on Earth

The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water above, on, and below the surface of the Earth. It involves key processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. This cycle is essential for distributing water, regulating climate, and sustaining life globally.