Ecosystems

• Abiotic components: Non-living environmental factors that have influence over the ecosystem (e.g. climate, light exposure, soil type).
• Biome: Also known as a global-scale ecosystem; a large, distinct region of the Earth with similar climate, soil, plants and animals.
• Biotic components: Living organisms that interact with the environment and other organisms within an ecosystem.
• Consumers: Organisms that receive energy from consuming (i.e. eating) living organisms.
• Decomposers: Organisms that break down organic material and release the nutrients back into the ecosystem.
• Coniferous forest biome: A biome located at high latitudes, characterised by conifer trees and a cold climate.
• Ecosystem: A natural system in which a community of plants and animals interact with each other and their physical environment.
• Desert biome: A biome located around 30 ° north and south of the equator, characterised by extremely low precipitation levels and extreme daily temperature fluctuations.
• Food web: A representation of the interactions between multiple producers and consumers within a specific ecosystem, shown through a series of different food webs.
• Food chain: A linear relationship showing the biotic interactions within an ecosystem, from a producer to a final consumer.
• Eutrophication: The growth of algae in a body of water due to excess nutrients, leading to the depletion of oxygen in an aquatic ecosystem.
• Mediterranean biome: A biome located 40 - 45 ° north of the equator (and in isolated spots south of the equator), characterised by mild, moist winters and hot, dry summers.
• Nutrient cycling: The transfer of nutrients through an ecosystem, from the decay of organic material into the production and energy of living organisms.
• Temperate deciduous forest biome: A biome located around 40 - 50 ° north and south of the equator, characterised by deciduous trees (trees that shed their leaves) and moderate precipitation.
• Tundra biome: A biome located in the far northern hemisphere, characterised by very cold conditions and permanently frozen soils.
• Temperate grassland biome: A biome located in non-coastal areas around 30 -40 ° north and south of the equator, characterised by low precipitation and grasses as the major vegetation.
• Tropical rainforest biome: A biome located near the equator, characterised by very high precipitation and sustained warm temperatures.
• Producers: Organisms that convert energy from the environment (mainly sunlight) into sugars (glucose).
• Savanna biome: A biome located around 15-30° north and south of the equator, characterised by high temperatures, very dry summers and very wet winters.