ecological

• Biodiversity


  A measure of the number of different types of plants and animal species in an area
• Population


  The number of organisms of the same species living in some area
• Habitat


  The place where organisms live
• Environment


  The factors, both physical (abiotic) and living (biotic), that affect organisms in their habitat
• Community


  The total number of organisms from all the different species living in the same area
• Ecosystem


  An area where a community of organisms live and are affected by a range of environmental factors
• Ecological factors that can influence distribution


  • Abiotic (non-living) - physical and chemical factors
  • Biotic - living features of the environment, i.e. number of different types of plant and animal species in an area (biodiversity)
• Abiotic factors


  • Wind speed
  • Water (soil moisture)
  • pH
  • Light
• Wind speed


  Measured using an anemometer, affects numbers and distribution of plants and animals in exposed habitats
• Soil moisture


  Calculated by taking soil samples, drying them, and measuring the difference in mass as a percentage of the original mass
• pH


  Measured using soil probes, important as most plants prefer relatively acidic soils whereas others need more alkaline solutions
• Light


  Measured using a light meter, all plants need light for photosynthesis, with some thriving in high light levels and others in very low light levels
• Temperature


  Measured using a thermometer, many types of thermometers can be used e.g. soil thermometer, air thermometer