Back to AI Flashcard MakerBiology /LGS A-Level OCR Biology - Unit 6 - Ecosystems Part 2
Loss of biomass in endotherms vs ectotherms
Ectotherms use less energy in maintaing body heat so there is more biomass availabe
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Loss of biomass in endotherms vs ectotherms
Ectotherms use less energy in maintaing body heat so there is more biomass availabe
Saprotrophs
Secrete extracellular enzymes onto dead/waste materials | Digest the materials into small molecules which are then absorbed and stored/respired
Why is the producer efficiency v. low
Approx 90% of light is reflected, unusable wavelength and transmitted through leaf Limiting factors; Energy used for photosynthetic reactions
Succession
Progressive change in the structure and species composition in a community Affects vegetation first but then brings about corresponding changes in bac...
Climax community
Final, stable community that exists after the process of succession has occurred Usually woodland communities
Deflected succession
Happens when succession is stopped/interfered w/ e.g. grazing so a plagioclimax develops as the species are stuck in that one stage of succession
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Loss of biomass in endotherms vs ectotherms | Ectotherms use less energy in maintaing body heat so there is more biomass availabe |
Saprotrophs | Secrete extracellular enzymes onto dead/waste materials | Digest the materials into small molecules which are then absorbed and stored/respired |
Why is the producer efficiency v. low | Approx 90% of light is reflected, unusable wavelength and transmitted through leaf Limiting factors; Energy used for photosynthetic reactions |
Succession | Progressive change in the structure and species composition in a community Affects vegetation first but then brings about corresponding changes in bacteria, fungi, insects, birds and mammals |
Climax community | Final, stable community that exists after the process of succession has occurred Usually woodland communities |
Deflected succession | Happens when succession is stopped/interfered w/ e.g. grazing so a plagioclimax develops as the species are stuck in that one stage of succession |
Pioneer species | Species that begin the process of succession, often colonising an area as the first living thing there |
Primary succession | If a community is developed from bare ground e.g. volcanic eruptions Pioneer communities start succession ---> conditions change (build up or organic material /nutrients) and other species succeed them; Larger plants continuously succeed small plants until a climax community is formed |
Secondary succession | Does not start from bare ground | Takes place on a previously colonised but damaged/disturbed habitat |
Why are sand dunes helpful in terms of succession | Shows us the stages of succession in order of occurrence whereas usually we only see the current stage |
How does succession affect species diversity | Increases it however dominant species may outcompete the smaller species killing whole species off |
Weathering | Breakdown or decomposition of rock in situ |
How does weathering contribute to succession | Decomposition of rock increases soil depth/ changes soil composition; Favouring new species |
Calculating net primary production | Gross primary production = npp - products of respiration |
Calculating efficiency of energy transfer | Net production/ food intake x 100 |
Plagioclimax | Sub-climax community when succession has been deflected |
Ways to deflect succession | Mainly agriculture and human activity e.g. Grazing; Burning; Application of fetilisers; Application to herbicide; Exposure to excessive amounts of wind |
How does succession affect biomass | Increases it due to more organisms in the ecosystem |
Why should sub-climax communities be conserved | Higher species diversity than climaxx communities - still contain some sub-climax species and climax species; Results in conserving a much wider range of plants and animals that dont live in the climax community |
Pioneer species on sand dunes | Species that can tolerate salty water, lack of fresh water and stable sand e.g. sea rcket |
Pioneer species on bare rock | Algae and lichens as they don't need to be anchored into the soil |
Increasing primary productivity | Some crops are planted early; Irrigating crops; Drought resistant crops; Using greenhouses; Crop rotation; Fertilisers (provides inorganic ions); Pesticides/ pest resistant crops |
How does planting some crops early increase primary productivity | Provides a longer growing season to harvest more light |
How does irrigating crops increase primary productiviy | Water is readily available for the light dependent stage of photosynthesis even when rainfall is below average |
How does growing crops in a greenhouse increases primary productivity | Provides a warmer temp ---> increases the rate of photosynthesis |