Overview
Name components of any ecosystem. Measure or estimate sizes of some ecosystems. Relate the dynamic nature of an ecosystem to its size. Mention major local (Nigerian) biotic communities. Give names of organisms typical of each community. Briefly describe different types of communities in (a) tropical regions (b) temperate regions. Name ecological factors common to all habitats. Briefly describe each of the factors pointing out 'their relative importance. Mention the factors which affect water-retentivity of soil, types and determine the amount of water each soil type can hold.
What you'll learn
- Ecosystem - Components and sizes:
- (i) Ecological concepts
- - environment
- - biosphere
- - lithosphere
- - hydrosphere
- - atmosphere
- - habitats
- - niche
- - population biotic community (biome)
- - ecosystem
- (ii) Components of an ecosystem
- Local biotic communities or biomes.
- (I) Tropical rainforest.
- (ii) Southern guinea savanna.
- (iii) Northern guinea savanna.
- (iv) Sahel Savanna.
- (v) Desert.
- (vi) Swamp/estuarine regions.
- Major biomes of the world:
- (I) Tropical forest
- (ii) Savanna
- (iii) Desert
- (iv) Shrub
- (v) Afro-alpine
- (vi) Swamp
- Population studies by sampling method:
- (I) Population size
- (ii) Dominance
- (iii) Density
- (iv) Factors that affect population.
- Ecological factor: aquatic, terrestrial, and factors common to all habitats. Importance of ecological factors to populations of animals and plants.
- Relationship between soil types and water-holding effect of soil on vegetation.
- Simple measurement of ecological factors:
- (a) Physical factors: climatic, topographic and gaseous
- (b) Edaphic factors: chemical and physical composition, moisture content and thickness of soil.