null
US
Sign In
Sign Up for Free
Sign Up
We have detected that Javascript is not enabled in your browser. The dynamic nature of our site means that Javascript must be enabled to function properly. Please read our
terms and conditions
for more information.
Next up
Copy and Edit
You need to log in to complete this action!
Register for Free
744267
Ecosystem concepts
Description
Undergraduate Physical Geography (Biosphere) Mind Map on Ecosystem concepts, created by Sharondeep on 10/04/2014.
No tags specified
biosphere
physical geography
physical geography
biosphere
undergraduate
Mind Map by
Sharondeep
, updated more than 1 year ago
More
Less
Created by
Sharondeep
over 10 years ago
18
1
0
Resource summary
Ecosystem concepts
Biosphere
Area between Earth and atmosphere where all life exists.
Includes all three parts of the physical environment; atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere.
Biomass
Sum total of all living matter within biosphere at any given time.
expressed as dry weight of tissue per unit area E.g. tonnes/hectare
Mainly of terrestrial origin due to veg efficiency on ratios of 100 to 1 compared to oceans.
Animal biomass greatest in rainforests.
Oceanic biomass greatest in tropical reefs.
Standing crop
Characteristic biomass of a particular ecosystem accumulated over time.
Environment
Collective term, includes all conditions in which an organism lives.
Abiotic (physical, non-living) Biotic (living).
Abiotic includes temp, water, light, wind, gases, pH, nutrients. Biotic is all living organisms.
Ecosystem
A community of living organisms and non-living things working together. Life cycles of all organisms are interlinked to the environment.
Community
describes all populations of species within a habitat.
Population
All individuals within a particular species within a habitat.
Biome
Large global ecosystem.
It is named after the most dominant veg found there E.g. tropical rainforest.
will contain climax communities
Biome type is usually controlled by climate but economic development has changed the nature of some biomes.
typography, soil (edaphic) and biotic factors control biome nature too.
Dead organic matter (DOM)
All dead, decaying plant and animal remains that make up surface litter and soil humus.
Important to ecosystem, may be greatly in excess of biomass in weight.
E.g. greater in temperate grasslands where DOM exceeds living biomass 5:1.
Habitat
The physical env within which an organism lives.
Used on three different scales: macro (continental) - meso (regional) and micro (small microscopic scale).
Organisms must be adapted to suit habitat. It must fall within the ecosystems ecological niche.
Four factors influence habitat: Climate (light, temp, moisture, exposure) Topography (altitude, temp, slope angle), Edaphic aspects (soil chemistry, nutrients, moisture) and biotic aspects (grazing influences and human activity).
In aquatic habitats, water chemistry and light penetration also vital.
Show full summary
Hide full summary
Want to create your own
Mind Maps
for
free
with GoConqr?
Learn more
.
Similar
Alps, Human uses of fold mountains case study
a a
GCSE Geography - Fold Mountains - the Alps
Beth Coiley
Restless earth- tectonic activity
taylor2em
Geography Coastal Zones Flashcards
Zakiya Tabassum
Tectonic Hazards flashcards
katiehumphrey
Volcanoes
1jdjdjd1
River Processes and Landforms
1jdjdjd1
GCSE Geography - Causes of Climate Change
Beth Coiley
The Rock Cycle
eimearkelly3
Coastal Landscapes
Chima Power
Plate Tectonics
eimearkelly3
Browse Library