AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
, AGRO (AGRICULTURE)- ECOLOGY
Ecosystem
CLIMATIC FACTORS
Sunlight: Intensity and duration per day,
CONCEPTS affecting plant and animal life
[ECOLOGY → branch of sciences that studies the interaction of organisms → High light intensity = ↑ photosynthesis &
growth.
with other organisms and their environment]
→ Photoperiodism > length : daylight [long day =
→ Ecologist > Person who studies these relationships and interactions > 12 hours; short-day = <12 hours ; neutral = no
NON-LIVING influence]
LEVELS > STUDY OF THE ECOLOGY: PHYSIOGRAPHIC FACTORS → Phototropism = plants grow away (negative) /
SPECIES → INDIVIDUALS > specific species that breed with EACH • Slope: Measures the steepness of the to (positive) light
OTHER = the same characteristics land, which affects vegetation due to Temperature: How hot or cold the air is [heat
→ MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT SPECIES CANNOT BREED WITH runoff [slope on sun-side = ↗ = ↑ degree in region]
EACH OTHER!! runoff = ↑ temp. = drier = ↓ plant → Sessile organisms [plants]: body temp. not
→ Individuals = members of species (separately) = lowest growth] > flat land, gentle slope & steep adapting = production ↓, growth points
level slope damage, yields ↓ [bulbous plants = geophytes =
• Aspect (latitude): The direction in root development, water uptake + growth rate]
POPULATION → group of organisms of the same species that are found
which the slope points (N, S, E, W) > → Homothermic organisms: body-temp. maintain
in a specific area at a specific time and must be able to relative to the sun [near equator = ↑ constant [metabolite activity > mammals,
breed in that area temp. & humidity + dense forests; far horses etc.]
→ [Population growth & factors affecting population from equator = dry, cold = tundra → Poikilothermal organisms: [reptiles] = gene
growth or decline] biome] maintaining temp. > varies with environment >
COMMUNITY → all the populations of organisms that interact in a • Altitude location: The altitude above sea impact : dust exchange, growth rate, and
particular area level that affects temperature due to yields
rainfall, solar radiation, wind + shade >
→ [2 OR MORE POPULATIONS] Rainfall: Precipitation, average annual rainfall
Thinner atmosphere at higher altitudes and wind.
ECOSYSTEM → communities' interaction with the non-living things in = temp. ↓
their environment → Hydrophilic : a lot of water needed
EDAPHIC FACTORS [soil] [permanently]
→ [Community + Habitat] • Soil types: Size of soil particles, water → Hygrophytic : loves high humidity [air
BIOMES → Natural ecological area > different regions of ecosystems and air content, colour, depth, type, saturated with moisture]
(climate) > composition (soil) + structure of vegetation and amount of minerals. → Mesophilic : enough rain and moisture
(landform) = determine flora & fauna • Soil texture: Sandy (granular and loose) required [wet + dry] - not tolerate excessive
→ 9 biomes > functional parts = ecosystems vs. Clay (tough and dense). rain
• Soil depth: From a few inches to more → Xerophilic : little water required and can
BIOSPHERE → combine all the ecosystems (biomes) on Earth =
than two meters deep [roots penetrate] survive in dry conditions.
biosphere form : earth's crust → lower layers • Groundwater: Water holding capacity,
→ EARTH'S SURFACE THAT SUSTAINS LIFE [soil, atmosphere, sandy soils drain quickly and have poor Wind [high → low pressure] : oxygen in air for
water] water holding capacity + availability photosynthesis / wind removes moisture
Wind direction and strength affect an
• Soil Fertility: Fertile soil contains a lot
ecosystem
of nutrients [availability] and supports
2 © Noted Summaries [Grade 10 Agricultural Sciences] plant growth Hot winds = ↑ temp. & cold wind = ↓ temp.
www.notedsummaries.co.za
, Ecosystem energy flow
1. The sun (non-living) is the main source of energy in an
ecosystem
2. Plants (living) turn solar energy into chemical energy, in the
LIVING form of carbohydrates
• Primary consumers: Plants and algae that use energy from the sun for growth. 3. animals eat the plants and absorb the energy
• Secondary consumers: Animals that eat primary consumers. 4. Energy is transferred from one living thing to the next
• Tertiary consumers: Animals that eat secondary consumers.
[PRODUCER → organism that produces its own food] (1) FOOD CHAINS
• Algae → rootless plant-like organisms growing in water (producer in the ocean)
[FOOD CHAIN → Flow of energy when one
• [Microscopic algae = plankton] organism feeds on another]
[CONSUMER → organism that eats other organisms (derived from plants)] → way to show direction of ENERGY FLOW from one
Z Herbivores: organism that only eats plants trophic level to the next
→ order of organisms in which each one "eats" the one
Oceanic herbivores > eat plankton before him in the chain and is eaten by the one who
Land-herbivores > plant material (leaves, wood, nectar etc.) comes to him
** ALWAYS STARTS WITH A PRODUCER AND ENDS WITH A
Z Omnivore: animal that eats plants and animals [e.g. baboon, warthog & human] CONSUMER/DECOMPOSER
Z Carnivore: animal that eats animals
o Predator: animal that hunts its food (leopard)
o Scavengers: animal that eats dead animals (hyenas, vultures)
o Insectivore: Insect eating animals (anteaters, moles)
DECOMPOSERS
= breaks down waste products and bodies of
(2) FOOD WEBS
dead organisms > decomposition [FOOD WEB → food chains that are
= bacteria & fungi interconnected]
= releases energy that has accumulated in
the bodies of the dead organisms
= accurate representation of how energy
= SAPROTROPHE = dead organic substance
flows into ecosystems
GROWERS [PLANTS]
CONSUMERS = "AUTOTROPY" > self-nourishing >
= can't make own food make own food [chlorophyll]
= eat others to gain energy
= "heterotroph" > feeding on others
3 © Noted Summaries [Grade 10 Agricultural Sciences] www.notedsummaries.co.za
, (3) FOOD PYRAMIDS NUTRIENT CYCLES
[[FOOD PYRAMIDS/ECOLOGICAL
PYRAMIDS→ diagram representing
the different numbers of
organisms/amount of biomass at
each trophic level]
NUMBER PYRAMIDS ENERGY - PYRAMIDS
→ size of population at each BIOMASS - PYRAMIDS → Shows energy loss at every
level → Biomass = mass of living level
plant & animal material → relative amount of energy
[grams of dry mass / m2] available at each trophic
level
Water cycle
→ Water in the sea or river is in the liquid phase.
→ Evaporation and sublimation change water to gas phase or water
vapor.
→ Condensation occurs when vapor rises and cools in the atmosphere,
forming droplets.
→ Precipitation > droplets merge to form clouds, which fall to the
ground as rain, snow or hail.
ADJUSTMENTS → sun heats the earth = surface water and groundwater evaporates >
air rises
WHAT ARE ADAPTATIONS IN THE ECOSYSTEM? → Plants take up groundwater, which evaporates from leaves and rises
characteristics in an organism's body structure, function, or behaviour into the air, forming clouds.
→ The water cycle includes clouds, rainfall, ocean currents and winds.
that make it adapt to its environment help it survive → "nature
→ Water, powered by the sun, travels through the atmosphere, land
selected" > possesses suitable characteristics - survive in changing masses, oceans, and back again.
conditions in an environment → The water evaporates from freshwater sources and oceans, forms
vapours in the atmosphere and falls back as precipitation.
→ The transpiration [excess water release] of plants also contributes
to the water cycle.
4 © Noted Summaries [Grade 10 Agricultural Sciences] www.notedsummaries.co.za
, AGRO (AGRICULTURE)- ECOLOGY
Ecosystem
CLIMATIC FACTORS
Sunlight: Intensity and duration per day,
CONCEPTS affecting plant and animal life
[ECOLOGY → branch of sciences that studies the interaction of organisms → High light intensity = ↑ photosynthesis &
growth.
with other organisms and their environment]
→ Photoperiodism > length : daylight [long day =
→ Ecologist > Person who studies these relationships and interactions > 12 hours; short-day = <12 hours ; neutral = no
NON-LIVING influence]
LEVELS > STUDY OF THE ECOLOGY: PHYSIOGRAPHIC FACTORS → Phototropism = plants grow away (negative) /
SPECIES → INDIVIDUALS > specific species that breed with EACH • Slope: Measures the steepness of the to (positive) light
OTHER = the same characteristics land, which affects vegetation due to Temperature: How hot or cold the air is [heat
→ MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT SPECIES CANNOT BREED WITH runoff [slope on sun-side = ↗ = ↑ degree in region]
EACH OTHER!! runoff = ↑ temp. = drier = ↓ plant → Sessile organisms [plants]: body temp. not
→ Individuals = members of species (separately) = lowest growth] > flat land, gentle slope & steep adapting = production ↓, growth points
level slope damage, yields ↓ [bulbous plants = geophytes =
• Aspect (latitude): The direction in root development, water uptake + growth rate]
POPULATION → group of organisms of the same species that are found
which the slope points (N, S, E, W) > → Homothermic organisms: body-temp. maintain
in a specific area at a specific time and must be able to relative to the sun [near equator = ↑ constant [metabolite activity > mammals,
breed in that area temp. & humidity + dense forests; far horses etc.]
→ [Population growth & factors affecting population from equator = dry, cold = tundra → Poikilothermal organisms: [reptiles] = gene
growth or decline] biome] maintaining temp. > varies with environment >
COMMUNITY → all the populations of organisms that interact in a • Altitude location: The altitude above sea impact : dust exchange, growth rate, and
particular area level that affects temperature due to yields
rainfall, solar radiation, wind + shade >
→ [2 OR MORE POPULATIONS] Rainfall: Precipitation, average annual rainfall
Thinner atmosphere at higher altitudes and wind.
ECOSYSTEM → communities' interaction with the non-living things in = temp. ↓
their environment → Hydrophilic : a lot of water needed
EDAPHIC FACTORS [soil] [permanently]
→ [Community + Habitat] • Soil types: Size of soil particles, water → Hygrophytic : loves high humidity [air
BIOMES → Natural ecological area > different regions of ecosystems and air content, colour, depth, type, saturated with moisture]
(climate) > composition (soil) + structure of vegetation and amount of minerals. → Mesophilic : enough rain and moisture
(landform) = determine flora & fauna • Soil texture: Sandy (granular and loose) required [wet + dry] - not tolerate excessive
→ 9 biomes > functional parts = ecosystems vs. Clay (tough and dense). rain
• Soil depth: From a few inches to more → Xerophilic : little water required and can
BIOSPHERE → combine all the ecosystems (biomes) on Earth =
than two meters deep [roots penetrate] survive in dry conditions.
biosphere form : earth's crust → lower layers • Groundwater: Water holding capacity,
→ EARTH'S SURFACE THAT SUSTAINS LIFE [soil, atmosphere, sandy soils drain quickly and have poor Wind [high → low pressure] : oxygen in air for
water] water holding capacity + availability photosynthesis / wind removes moisture
Wind direction and strength affect an
• Soil Fertility: Fertile soil contains a lot
ecosystem
of nutrients [availability] and supports
2 © Noted Summaries [Grade 10 Agricultural Sciences] plant growth Hot winds = ↑ temp. & cold wind = ↓ temp.
www.notedsummaries.co.za
, Ecosystem energy flow
1. The sun (non-living) is the main source of energy in an
ecosystem
2. Plants (living) turn solar energy into chemical energy, in the
LIVING form of carbohydrates
• Primary consumers: Plants and algae that use energy from the sun for growth. 3. animals eat the plants and absorb the energy
• Secondary consumers: Animals that eat primary consumers. 4. Energy is transferred from one living thing to the next
• Tertiary consumers: Animals that eat secondary consumers.
[PRODUCER → organism that produces its own food] (1) FOOD CHAINS
• Algae → rootless plant-like organisms growing in water (producer in the ocean)
[FOOD CHAIN → Flow of energy when one
• [Microscopic algae = plankton] organism feeds on another]
[CONSUMER → organism that eats other organisms (derived from plants)] → way to show direction of ENERGY FLOW from one
Z Herbivores: organism that only eats plants trophic level to the next
→ order of organisms in which each one "eats" the one
Oceanic herbivores > eat plankton before him in the chain and is eaten by the one who
Land-herbivores > plant material (leaves, wood, nectar etc.) comes to him
** ALWAYS STARTS WITH A PRODUCER AND ENDS WITH A
Z Omnivore: animal that eats plants and animals [e.g. baboon, warthog & human] CONSUMER/DECOMPOSER
Z Carnivore: animal that eats animals
o Predator: animal that hunts its food (leopard)
o Scavengers: animal that eats dead animals (hyenas, vultures)
o Insectivore: Insect eating animals (anteaters, moles)
DECOMPOSERS
= breaks down waste products and bodies of
(2) FOOD WEBS
dead organisms > decomposition [FOOD WEB → food chains that are
= bacteria & fungi interconnected]
= releases energy that has accumulated in
the bodies of the dead organisms
= accurate representation of how energy
= SAPROTROPHE = dead organic substance
flows into ecosystems
GROWERS [PLANTS]
CONSUMERS = "AUTOTROPY" > self-nourishing >
= can't make own food make own food [chlorophyll]
= eat others to gain energy
= "heterotroph" > feeding on others
3 © Noted Summaries [Grade 10 Agricultural Sciences] www.notedsummaries.co.za
, (3) FOOD PYRAMIDS NUTRIENT CYCLES
[[FOOD PYRAMIDS/ECOLOGICAL
PYRAMIDS→ diagram representing
the different numbers of
organisms/amount of biomass at
each trophic level]
NUMBER PYRAMIDS ENERGY - PYRAMIDS
→ size of population at each BIOMASS - PYRAMIDS → Shows energy loss at every
level → Biomass = mass of living level
plant & animal material → relative amount of energy
[grams of dry mass / m2] available at each trophic
level
Water cycle
→ Water in the sea or river is in the liquid phase.
→ Evaporation and sublimation change water to gas phase or water
vapor.
→ Condensation occurs when vapor rises and cools in the atmosphere,
forming droplets.
→ Precipitation > droplets merge to form clouds, which fall to the
ground as rain, snow or hail.
ADJUSTMENTS → sun heats the earth = surface water and groundwater evaporates >
air rises
WHAT ARE ADAPTATIONS IN THE ECOSYSTEM? → Plants take up groundwater, which evaporates from leaves and rises
characteristics in an organism's body structure, function, or behaviour into the air, forming clouds.
→ The water cycle includes clouds, rainfall, ocean currents and winds.
that make it adapt to its environment help it survive → "nature
→ Water, powered by the sun, travels through the atmosphere, land
selected" > possesses suitable characteristics - survive in changing masses, oceans, and back again.
conditions in an environment → The water evaporates from freshwater sources and oceans, forms
vapours in the atmosphere and falls back as precipitation.
→ The transpiration [excess water release] of plants also contributes
to the water cycle.
4 © Noted Summaries [Grade 10 Agricultural Sciences] www.notedsummaries.co.za
