Measuring Features of an Ecosystem (Leaving Cert Biology): Flashcards
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Species diversity index
Species diversity index
Mathematical tool measuring variety of life in a community
Species richness
Species richness
Total number of different species in a community
Relative abundance
Relative abundance
How evenly individuals are spread among different species
Simpson's diversity index () range & meaning
Simpson's diversity index () range & meaning
0-1; 1 = max diversity, 0 = no diversity; higher = greater biodiversity
J-shaped population curve represents
J-shaped population curve represents
Exponential growth with ever-accelerating population increase
S-shaped population curve represents
S-shaped population curve represents
Logistic growth that stabilises at carrying capacity
Three phases of S-shaped growth
Three phases of S-shaped growth
Initial slow, rapid exponential, levelling off
Carrying capacity
Carrying capacity
Maximum population size environment can sustain long-term
Limiting factors for plants (examples)
Limiting factors for plants (examples)
Sunlight, water, soil nutrients, space for roots
Limiting factors for animals (examples)
Limiting factors for animals (examples)
Food, water, shelter, territory, mating partners
Pyramids of numbers show
Pyramids of numbers show
Quantity of organisms at each trophic level in food chain
Key limitation of pyramids of numbers
Key limitation of pyramids of numbers
Doesn't account for size differences between organisms
Biomass definition
Biomass definition
Total mass of all living tissue in a given area
Energy lost between each trophic level
Energy lost between each trophic level
Approximately 90%
Why inverted biomass pyramids occur (aquatic)
Why inverted biomass pyramids occur (aquatic)
Rapid producer reproduction & short lifespans vs long consumers