Ecosystem

Map of the ecosystem = Making a sketch map of the ecosystem on the first visit Identifying plants and animals = Searching the ecosystem for different species using direct observation Estimating the number of plants and animals = Determining the diversity of life forms in the ecosystem by making a consolidated species list Measuring the environmental (abiotic) factors = Using our eyes to search the ecosystem for different species

Pictorial key = A book with drawings of each species, where one must search until the species they are looking for is found Dichotomous key = Involves a series of questions to which there are normally two possible answers, and one must pick the most appropriate answer to identify the species

Flora = Refers to plants Fauna = Refers to animals

Rocky shore = A type of ecosystem that can be studied Muddy estuary = A type of ecosystem that can be studied Oakwood = A type of ecosystem that can be studied Grassland = A type of ecosystem that can be studied

Marking the area with four pegs = Part of the mapping process on the first visit Measuring the area by pacing it out = Using big steps, with each step regarded as one metre long Drawing in all significant and obvious features = An important step in creating the sketch map of the ecosystem

Flora = Photosynthetic organisms such as plants Fauna = Animals, such as insects Captue re-capture method = A technique used to estimate the size of animal populations No. caught 1st visit X No. caught 2nd visit / No. marked 2nd visit = Formula used to calculate the approximate population of an organism in a habitat

Count the number of organisms present and, of those counted, record the number that had the mark = Step 3 Release organisms back into their habitat = Step 2 Count the number of squirrels in a particular habitat = Step 1 Calculate the approximate population of the organism in the habitat using the formula = Step 4

Flooding = Natural change Deforestation = Artificial change

Squirrel = Captue re-capture method Insects = No specific method mentioned

Mark each squirrel with a dot or an X using a black permanent marker = Method of marking the organism A period of time later, revisit the habitat = Step in the capture re-capture method Black will not make it visible to predators but will still be visible to the experimenter = Explanation for using a black marker

Percentage cover = Measures the % area covered in each quadrat Frequency = Measures the chances of finding a named species with any one throw of the quadrat Transects = Line or belt transects are used to record what touches the line and measure environmental conditions at each Capture - recapture method = Uses paint, tags, or leg rings to mark animals and calculate population size

Soil pH = Measured using a pH meter or indicator paper Light Intensity = Measured using a light meter Temperature = Measured using a thermometer or probe

Early growth and flowering = Primrose Brightly coloured = Ladybirds Shell for protection = Snail Stinging hairs to protect from herbivores = Nettle

Trees & shrubs layer = Ash, hawthorn, blackthorn, elder, holly, willow Herb layer = Primrose, stitchwort, cow parsley, celandine Ground layer = Ivy, ferns, fungi, mosses Soil layer = Fungi, bacteria

Human error = From mistakes in measuring or recording Changing conditions = Both natural (e.g., seasonal) or artificial (e.g. pollution) Accidental discoveries = Rare animal or shy animal discovered by quiet walker and not a class Sample size = Habitats studied may not accurately reflect the overall ecosystem if habitat is too small or only a few habitats are studied

Pooter = Apparatus used to collect small invertebrates by sucking them through a tube with gauze at the end Pitfall Trap = Apparatus used to catch invertebrates that walk on surface of the ground by burying a plastic cup underground Beating Tray = Apparatus used to catch insects that hide under leaves by holding a tray under a branch which is beaten with a stick Tullgren Funnel = Apparatus used to extract small animals from leaf litter by placing soil litter into a sieve and turning on a lamp

Quadrat = Method used to sample plants or sedentary animals by throwing a pencil over your shoulder and laying the quadrat over where the pencil is Belt Transect = Method used to investigate how the distribution of a species varies with a changing environmental factor by picking a line that crosses an obvious changing environmental factor and taking a sample at regular intervals Line Transect = Method used to investigate how the distribution of a species varies with a changing environmental factor by laying out a line and recording the species of plant that it touches or is directly below each mark on the line Qualitative Surveys = Surveys that only record which species are present, providing no idea of how common or plentiful a particular species is

Daisy = Yellow centre with lots of white petals, leaves flat on ground Buttercup = Flower all yellow, five glossy petals. Tall plant. Dandelion = Dozens of yellow petals, single flower at end of a long stalk Thistle = Heart-shaped toothed flowers, stings, small green flowers

Frog = Wet Skin, large, webbed back feet. Movement: hops Worm = Long, thin, and reddish in colour. Wriggles, has slimy skin Snail = Has a shell, slides along, has two pairs of tentacles Bee = Feathers, orange or yellow beak, yellow ring around eyes

Nets = Used to catch mobile animals, mainly insects or aquatic animals Cryptozoic Trap = Used to catch animals, like snails/woodlice, that shelter in secluded spaces during the day or in dry weather Mammal Traps = Used to catch small mammals Alcohol in Tullgren Funnel = Used to preserve animals