Summary of the learning outcomes and revision questions
Exam preparation BOT3703.
Unit 1
explain what is meant by the study of ecology
This is the study of organisms and their relationships with their environments and how they
are arranged in populations and communities. Quantitative plant ecology includes
vegetation description, analysis and population strategies and successional changes in
ecosystems.
• distinguish between a population and a community
Population: A group of the same species living in the same area.
Community: A group of different species living in the same area.
• describe the components and characteristics of an ecosystem
Components: abiotic and biotic factors.
Characteristic: the interactions of these factors. An area which is part of the biosphere
where all living and non-living things interact and exist. Within ecosystems several cycles
take place, carbon, water, nitrogen cycles. Ecosystems consist of diversity of plants,
animals.
• identify and discuss the different trophic levels and describe a typical food chain in
a terrestrial ecosystem
Producers
Primary consumers
Secondary
Tertiary
Quaternary
There is a decrease in biomass as you move up the trophic levels.
• explain how to measure productivity in an ecosystem
, The rate as which biomass is produced within the system. Measured: units of mass per unit
surfaces, time, gram per square metre per day.
• explain the role of diversity in an ecosystem
Diversity ensures the survival of the ecosystem. Four types of diversity, species, genetic,
functional and ecosystem diversity. Each occur within the ecosystem. It helps to ensure that
all species stay alive and don’t go extinct. Genetic diversity ensures that there is more
desirable traits available allowing adaptability of species and hence preventing extinction.
Different ecosystem such as forest, grasslands, deserts provide different habitats for
different species. It also is important in the regulation of climate and weather. Diversity also
provides different services for survival of species such as food and natural resources.
Diversity also helps to regulate the environment such as wetlands which are an important
ecosystem in fitter of water.
• discuss various kinds of ecosystem interactions such as mutualism,
commensalism, protocooperation, competition, amensalism, parasitism and
predation
Mutualism: both benefit
Commensalism: one benefits the other is unharmed
Protocooperation: both benefit but not essential for survival (form of mutualism).
Competition: interaction amongst organism in which they want the same resource hence, the
have to adapt skills that are better than the other species in order to survive.
Amensalism: one causes harm to another species without benefit. Cattle on grass.
Parasitism: one is benefited one is harmed.
Predation: kills or eats prey.
• describe the major nutrient cycles, namely nitrogen, water and carbon, focusing on
their functions in the ecosystem
Carbon: this is the process through carbon dioxide is recycled. It keeps the amount of
carbon in the atmosphere balanced. Helps to regulate earths temperature. Carbon is part of
all life hence the way it moves affects all biological processes. The availability of carbon is
important as this is used by plants during photosynthesis which then in turn produces
oxygen which is needed to survive.
Exam preparation BOT3703.
Unit 1
explain what is meant by the study of ecology
This is the study of organisms and their relationships with their environments and how they
are arranged in populations and communities. Quantitative plant ecology includes
vegetation description, analysis and population strategies and successional changes in
ecosystems.
• distinguish between a population and a community
Population: A group of the same species living in the same area.
Community: A group of different species living in the same area.
• describe the components and characteristics of an ecosystem
Components: abiotic and biotic factors.
Characteristic: the interactions of these factors. An area which is part of the biosphere
where all living and non-living things interact and exist. Within ecosystems several cycles
take place, carbon, water, nitrogen cycles. Ecosystems consist of diversity of plants,
animals.
• identify and discuss the different trophic levels and describe a typical food chain in
a terrestrial ecosystem
Producers
Primary consumers
Secondary
Tertiary
Quaternary
There is a decrease in biomass as you move up the trophic levels.
• explain how to measure productivity in an ecosystem
, The rate as which biomass is produced within the system. Measured: units of mass per unit
surfaces, time, gram per square metre per day.
• explain the role of diversity in an ecosystem
Diversity ensures the survival of the ecosystem. Four types of diversity, species, genetic,
functional and ecosystem diversity. Each occur within the ecosystem. It helps to ensure that
all species stay alive and don’t go extinct. Genetic diversity ensures that there is more
desirable traits available allowing adaptability of species and hence preventing extinction.
Different ecosystem such as forest, grasslands, deserts provide different habitats for
different species. It also is important in the regulation of climate and weather. Diversity also
provides different services for survival of species such as food and natural resources.
Diversity also helps to regulate the environment such as wetlands which are an important
ecosystem in fitter of water.
• discuss various kinds of ecosystem interactions such as mutualism,
commensalism, protocooperation, competition, amensalism, parasitism and
predation
Mutualism: both benefit
Commensalism: one benefits the other is unharmed
Protocooperation: both benefit but not essential for survival (form of mutualism).
Competition: interaction amongst organism in which they want the same resource hence, the
have to adapt skills that are better than the other species in order to survive.
Amensalism: one causes harm to another species without benefit. Cattle on grass.
Parasitism: one is benefited one is harmed.
Predation: kills or eats prey.
• describe the major nutrient cycles, namely nitrogen, water and carbon, focusing on
their functions in the ecosystem
Carbon: this is the process through carbon dioxide is recycled. It keeps the amount of
carbon in the atmosphere balanced. Helps to regulate earths temperature. Carbon is part of
all life hence the way it moves affects all biological processes. The availability of carbon is
important as this is used by plants during photosynthesis which then in turn produces
oxygen which is needed to survive.
