Topic 9 Ecosystems & Material Cycles - Definitions (Higher) - PMT Extended

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Abiotic Factors
The non-living aspects of an ecosystem.
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Belt Transect
A line along a sampled area upon which quadrats are placed at intervals to determine the abundance of distribution of organisms in an ecosystem.
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Biodiversity
The variety of living organisms in an ecosystems.
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Biofuel
A renewable energy source produced from biomass.
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Biomass
The total mass of organic material, measured in a specific area over a set period.
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Biotic Factors
The living components of an ecosystem.
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Blackspot Fungus (H)
An indicator species that is found on rose leaves. It is sensitive to the concentration of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere so its presence indicates clean air.
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Blood Worm (H)
A type of indicator species that is adapted to live in water with high levels of pollution.
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Captive Breeding Program
The breeding of endangered animals in enclosures to increase population numbers and preserve biodiversity.
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Carbon Cycle
The cycle through which carbon moves between living organisms and the environment. It involves respiration, photosynthesis and combustion.
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Community
All of the populations of different species living together in a habitat.
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Competition
When different organisms compete for the same resources in an ecosystem.
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Compost
Dead and decaying organic matter, commonly used as a fertiliser.
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Conservation
The maintenance of ecosystems and biodiversity by humans in order to preserve the Earth's resources.
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Crop Rotation
The practice of growing different crops each year in a cycle. This replenishes nutrients that may have been depleted by the previous crop.
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Decomposers
Organisms that release enzymes which catalysed the breakdown of dead plant and animal material into simpler organic matter. In the nitrogen cycle, decomposers break down proteins and urea into ammonia.
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Decomposition
The breakdown of dead materials into simpler organic matter. The rate of decomposition is affected by temperature, water content and oxygen availability.
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Denitrifying Bacteria
Anaerobic microorganisms responsible for the conversion of nitrate ions to nitrogen gas.
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Desalination
A process that removes salts from saline water to produce potable water.
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Ecosystem
The community of organisms and non-living components of an area and their interactions.
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Eutrophication
The process in which pollution by nitrogen-containing fertilisers results in algal blooms and subsequent oxygen level reduction in bodies of water.
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Fertilisers
Natural or artificial materials that are added to soils to provide essential nutrients and improve plant growth.
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Fish Farming
The breeding of fish commercially in enclosures for food to combat overfishing.
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Food Chain
It describes the feeding relationships between organisms and the resultant stages of biomass transfer.
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Food Security
Ensuring that populations have access to adequate amounts of safe and nutritious food.
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Freshwater Shrimp (H)
A type of indicator species sensitive to dissolved oxygen concentration and only found in clean water.
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Indicator Species (H)
A species whose presence or absence in an environment provides an indication of environmental conditions.
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Interdependence
The dependence of different organisms on each other for survival.
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Lichen (H)
A type of indicator species that is used to monitor air pollution.
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Mutualism
The interaction between two organisms where both benefit as a result of their relationship.
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Nitrifying Bacteria
Microorganisms found in the soil responsible for the conversion of ammonium ions into nitrite and then nitrate ions.
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Nitrogen Cycle
The cycle through which nitrogen moves between living organisms and the environment, involving four types of bacteria: decomposers, nitrifying bacteria, nitrogen-fixing bacteria and dentrifying bacteria.
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Nitrogen Fixation
The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia by nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil or root nodules of legumes. It can also occur via lightning.
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Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria
Microorganisms responsible for the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into nitrogen-containing compounds. They can be free-living or mutualistic.
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Non-Indigenous Species
A foreign species that does not naturally occur in an area. They may be introduced deliberately or accidentally.
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Parasitism
The interaction between two organisms where only one organism, the parasite benefits while the host does not.
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Pollution (H)
Contamination or destruction of the natural environment due to human intervention.
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Population
All organisms of the same species living with one another in a habitat.
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Potable Water
Water that is safe to drink.
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Predators
Consumers that prey on and eat other animals.
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Prey
Animals that are eaten by predators.
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Pyramid of Biomass
A table of the dry mass living material at each trophic level of a food chain. This forms the shape of a pyramid.
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Quadrat
A square grid of known area used in sampling to determine the abundance and distribution of organisms in an ecosystem.
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Reforestation
The replanting of forests in an effort to restore biodiversity.
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Reverse Osmosis
A method of desalination that uses a partially permeable membrane to remove impurities from drinking water.
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Seed Bank
A storage of viable seeds to protect biodiversity.
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Sludgeworm (H)
A type of indicator species adapted to live in water with high levels of pollution.
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Stonefly Larvae (H)
A type of indicator species sensitive to dissolved organ concentrations and only found in clean water.
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Sustainable
The ability to maintain something for future generations.
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Thermal Desalination
A method of desalination that uses heat to separate pure water from salts in salt water.
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Trophic Level
The position of an organism in a food chain.
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Water Cycle
The cycle through which water moves between living organisms and the environment. It involves evaporation, transpiration, condensation and precipitation.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Belt Transect

Back

A line along a sampled area upon which quadrats are placed at intervals to determine the abundance of distribution of organisms in an ecosystem.

Card 3

Front

Biodiversity

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Biofuel

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Biomass

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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