what does Biotic mean
The living organisms of the ecosystems – plants, animals, birds etc
what does Abiotic mean
The non-living elements like water, soil, air
what is a consumer
feed on plants or animals to get energy
what is a food web
a network of multiple food chains within an ecosystem
what are decomposers
Organisms like bacteria or fungi, that break down dead plant and animal matter, returning nutrients to the soil
what is a producer
A plant that can produce its own food through photosynthesis. They are the start of a food chain.
what is a food chain
A simple flow chart that shows the different organisms that feed on each other. It shows the direct transfer of energy.
what is a predator
an animal that hunts, kills, and consumes other animals (known as prey) to survive
an example of a food chain is
grass-rabbit-fox
where are tropical rainforests located
near the equator, in between the tropic of capricorn and cancer
what is biomass
The total mass of living organisms per unit area.
what is the emergent layer of a rainforest
The tallest trees, growing up to and over 40 metres
Nutrient cycling is
Plants take in nutrients to build into new organic matter. Nutrients are taken up
when animals eat plants and then returned to the soil when animals die and
the body is broken down by decomposers.
what is the canopy layer of a rainforest
A denser layer of trees around 30 metres high. It receives 70% of sunlight and 80% of life is found here. Trees compete for sunlight here for photosynthesis
what is the undercanopy layer of a rainforest
Up to 20 metres high, usually younger trees
what is the forest floor of a rainforest
dark, damp and humid, very little light, about 2%, small shrubs and ferns.
what are buttress roots and their purpose
wide, thick, tall roots to support the tall trees so they can grow high to compete for sunlight for photosynthesis
what are drip tip leaves and their purpose
pointed end of a lead, acts like a funnel, removing excess rainwater, preventing the leaf from breaking
what are Epiphytes and their purpose
plants that grow on branches or trunks to get nutrients from the air and water and to access sunlight for photosynthesis
Others like thick waxy leaves, Lianas (vines) and tall straight trees
whats the meaning of biodiversity
The variety of plants and animals in an ecosystem or habitat
what are the animal adaptations of a sloth
Brown light fur for camouflage. Long arms to climb and hang from trees. Slow moving so not seen by predators
what are the animal adaptations for a toucan
Short wings to manoeuvre around trees, curved keratin beak to break through nuts and fruit
what are the animal adaptations for a polar bear
-Two layers of fur, one short for trapping heat/ insulation and one longer for waterproofing.
-Fur appears white for camouflage from prey
-Black skin to trap UV rays
-Blubber under the skin, a 10 cm layer used as food reserve
-Large claws and paws for stability and killing prey
what are the animal adaptations of a artic fox
-Thick fur, bushy tail to retain heat and warmth
-Small ears and snout to prevent heat loss
-Short legs so close to the ground for stability
