ecology

• interdependence terminology 


  population - a group of individuals of the same species

  community - all populations in an area

  habitat - a natural home or environment

  ecosystem - interactions between living and non-living parts of an area

  interdependence - how species in a community depends on each other for shelter, pollination, seed dispersal and food

  competition - fighting for different needs and leads to adaptation that allows organisms to outcompete others
• whats an abiotic factor

  non living factors that can affect the number of species in an ecosystem like light intensity
• whats a biotic factor


  caused by living organisms that can affect the size of populations in an ecosystem like a new predator
• what is an adaptation


  features that allow organisms to survive in their environments

  can be structural, behavioural or functional

  plant = long roots

  animal = thick fur
• order of an ecosystem

  producer - always photosynthetic

  primary - often herbivores

  secondary - can also be prey

  tertiary - also known as apex
• what is the carbon cycle

  returns carbon from organisms to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide to be used by plants in photosynthesis
• carbon cycle circle


  CO2 is used for photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates which are eaten by animals and is released by respiration

  the carbon in trees gets fossilised if dead and carbon is stored in fossil fuels until it is dug up and burned by combustion which releases it into the atmosphere

  CO2 is found in decaying matter which is broken down by decomposers and released during respiration

  
• the water cycle 


  provides fresh water on the land for plants and animals before it returns to sea

  water is continuously evaporated and precipitated

  
• biodiversity


  is the variety of different species in an ecosystem

  humans need high biodiversity for medicine, ecotourism, crops and building resources

  but human activities are reducing biodiversity
• types of pollution


  land = landfill, toxic chemicals like pesticides

  water = sewage, toxic chemicals, oil spill and particulates

  air = smoke from combustion, acid rain, particulates of soot, lungs
• land use


  population increase

  so more space needed

  land cleared which removes habitats

  land dug for peat or mined which removes biodiversity
• what is peat 


  consists of partially decomposed organic matter which has accumulated under conditions of waterlogging, oxygen deficiency, high acidity and nutrient deficiency.
• side effects of deforestation

  removes habitats and food sources

  reduces CO2 extracted from the atmosphere via photosynthesis

  burning the wood releases CO2
• increased ocean temps causes

  CO2 to dissolve in causing coral bleaching
• increased temperatures causes


  ice to melt and sea levels to rise which can lead to flooding
• weather changes causes


  increased flooding, drought and extreme weather
• transfer of biomass


  10% passed every level

  the energy lost at each level due to not all components are edible and some material is lost as waste
• maintaining biodiversity methods


  breeding programmes for endangered species

  reintroduction of field margins and hedgerows in agricultural areas

  reduction of deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions

  recycling resources rather than dumping waste in landfill
• efficiency of biomass formula

  ( biomass of highest level/lowest level ) x100
• intensive farming methods for higher yield and energy efficiency in crops

  use of pesticides to reduce crop damage

  use of herbicides to remove weeds

  use of fertiliser to increase growth

  large field of one species (monoculture)
• intensive farming methods for higher yield and energy efficiency in livestock


  high protein diet to increase growth

  antibiotics to reduce pathogens

  restrict movement to reduce energy loss

  keep indoors to reduce energy loss of body temperature
• sustainable fishing methods to stop overfishing

  fishing quotas

  mesh size of nets to allow younger fish to escape
• Modern biotechnology techniques


  Fusarium is useful for producing mycoprotein, a protein-rich food suitable for vegetarians. Grown on glucose syrup, in aerobic conditions, and the biomass is harvested and purified.

  Genetically modified bacterium produces human insulin. When harvested and purified this is used to treat people with diabetes.