Living Environment - Definitions and Biodiversity

The place where an organism lives

All the plants, animals and microorganisms within an area (habitat)

A number of organisms of one species living in an ecosystem

A biological unit made up of all the living organisms (community) within an area and the non-living environment with which they interact (habitat)

The variety that exists among living things

A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring

Living feature of an ecosystem; such as food supply, disease, predation

A non-living feature of an ecosystem; such as light intensity, precipitation, temperature, wind speed, wind direction

Any feature that makes an organism well suited to living in its environment

A negative interaction that occurs between organisms whenever there is demand for a limited resource

• terrestrial • aquatic - freshwater and marine

Provides us with resources including: - food - medicines - raw materials for making clothes and buildings Natural processes: - nutrient cycling - soil regeneration - water purification - climate regulation - pollination

The role an organism plays within its community or ecosystem

• behavioural • structural • physiological

Arctic poppies: - grows close to ground - has small leaves This helps to conserve water and avoid damage by wind Polar bear: - white fur for camouflage when hunting prey - thick layers of fat and fur for insulation - large furry feet to distribute load, prevent frostbite and grip on ice

Cactus: - stems that store water - thick waxy cuticle to reflect heat and reduce water loss - spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss and protect them from being eaten Camel: - large flat feet to spread their weight across the sand to avoid sinking - tolerate body temperatures up to 42 degrees celsius without sweating to help conserve water - slit like nostrils and long eyelashes to keep out sand

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