4. Ecology And The Evironment

Releasing harmful substances into the environment in amounts that cause harmful effects and which biological processes cannot easily remove

• methane (generated by bacteria in anaerobic/low oxygen conditions e.g. cattle) • water vapour • nitrous oxide (burning fossil fuels) • carbon dioxide (burning fossil fuels) • CFCs (used as a solvent for aerosols like deodorant)

• formed when fossil fuels are burnt since they contain sulphur • sulphur dioxide reacts with oxygen in the air and dissolves in rain water to produce sulphuric acid • creates acid rain + nitric acid

• death of confir trees -> loss of habitat, loss of species diversion, more CO2 less photosynthesis • damage of leaves/flowers • acidification of soil -> leaching of ions onto lakes kills fish or acidifies them directly, killing fish which results in change of ecosystem

CO binds irreversibly to haemogoblin -> less oxygen transported to repairing cells -> less energy released -> loose consciousness/death from lack of CO2

Clearing of trees, usually on a large scale -> done for land farming, palm oil production, new homes -> removal of habitat decreases biodiversity

Sun emits radiation -> some is reflected by earths atmosphere but some pass through and is absorbed by earths surface

• melting of polar ice caps -> leads to sea level rising, causing flooding in some regions • destruction of habitats -> leads to extinction of species • increased extreme weather events -> more energy present due to global warming • increase in heat related illness/death

Group of organisms of the same species in the same area at the same time

ALL of a population living in the same area at same time

Species depend on other species for food/shelter -> one species removed would affect whole community

Where an organism lives

Interaction of a community -> biotic and abiotic factors interacting at same time

Equipment: Quadrat (square frame), measuring tape, results table. • Choose an area to study (e.g. school field) and place tape • Place the quadrat randomly to avoid bias (random generate coordinates). • Count the number of chosen plant species inside the quadrat. • Repeat this in multiple random spots (usually at least 10 times). • Calculate the average number per quadrat. Estimated population = average per quadrat × total area / quadrat area

Non living

Light intensity for photosynthesis and rate of growth Temperature for photosynthesis Moisture levels for water levels Soil pH and mineral content which affects rate of decay

Living

Food availability for more breeding and greater population New predators New pathogens, population would be wiped out with no resistance to it Competition, outcompeting other species and reducing population of less adapted (to environments) species

Make own food via photosynthesis

Herbivores

Apex predator

Bacteria and fungi that breaks down dead animals body/waste for energy using enzymes

Feeding relationship btwn organisms

Shows interdependence of organisms