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Aquatic Ecology > Aquatic Ecology > Flashcards

Aquatic Ecology Flashcards

1
Q
  1. Water is the only natural substance found in____________on planet earth.
A

All three states (solid, liquid, gas)

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2
Q
  1. Why is water’s specific heat property beneficial for a cold-water fish?
A

It helps stabilize the temperature of their aquatic environment, preventing rapid fluctuations and maintaining a more consistent and suitable temperature for their survival and metabolic functions.

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3
Q
  1. When is water least, and most dense?
A

Least dense at 0ºC , and most dense at 3.9º C

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4
Q
  1. Describe the relationship between water temperature and density?
A

As water temperature increases, its density decreases

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5
Q
  1. What is viscosity? How does the viscosity of water affect aquatic life?
A

Viscosity is a measure of fluid’s resistance to flow. Water viscosity affects aquatic life by influencing swimming efficiency, feeding ability, gas exchange, and reproductive process. (Ex: make swimming more difficult, affect feeding, reduce gas exchange, and disrupt critical life stages like reproduction and larval development in aquatic organisms.)

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6
Q
  1. What is the light compensation level? How does this affect aquatic life at different water depths?
A

Light compensation level = depth where 95% - 99% of light is extinguished.
Photic zone = depths above the light compensation level.
Most photosynthesis occurs in the euphotic zone.
Dictates where plants will grow, and algal blooms will occur

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7
Q
  1. What are 3 factors that impact the concentration of dissolved gases in water?
A

Temperature, salinity, and pressure

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8
Q
  1. _____ is the most important gas that impacts aquatic life.
A

Oxygen

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9
Q
  1. Is there more Dissolved Oxygen in saltwater or freshwater? Why?
A

There is more oxygen in freshwater then saltwater primarily due to temperature and salinity. (Freshwater tends to have cooler water then saltwater and Coldwater can hold more dissolved oxygen. Saltwater has a higher salinity due to dissolved salts. The higher the salinity of seawater affects its ability to hold dissolved oxygen).

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10
Q
  1. What are 2 ways that DO is added to waterbodies?
A
  1. Plants in the water during photosynthesis
  2. When water and air interact
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11
Q
  1. a) Dissolved Oxygen
A

Dissolved oxygen refers to the amount of oxygen dissolved in water, which is essential for aquatic life (Common units: milligrams per liter mg/L or parts per million ppm)

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12
Q
  1. b) CO2
A

Dissolved carbon dioxide is the amount of carbon dioxide gas dissolved in water, influencing water acidity and aquatic life. (common units: milligrams per liter mg/L or parts per million ppm)

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13
Q
  1. c) pH
A

pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of water, indicating the concentration of hydrogen ions (common units: pH scale 0-14, where pH 7 is neutral, values below 7 are acidic and values above 7 are alkaline basic).

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14
Q
  1. d) TDS
A

Total dissolved solids represent the total concentration of dissolved inorganic and organic substances in water (common units: milligrams per liter mg/L or parts per million ppm)

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15
Q
  1. e) Turbidity
A

Turbidity is a measure of water clarity, indicating the presence of suspended particles and sediment (common units: Nephelometric Turbidity Units NTU or Formazin Turbidity Units FTU).

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16
Q
  1. f) Alkalinity
A

Alkalinity is the capacity of water to neutralize acids, primarily due to the presence of bicarbonate, carbonate, and hydroxide ions (common units: milligrams per liter mg/L as CaCO3 equivalents).

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17
Q
  1. g) Conductivity
A

Conductivity measures the ability of water to conduct an electrical current, influenced by dissolved salts and ions (common units:microsiemens per cm weird uS/cm)

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18
Q
  1. h) Salinity
A

Salinity is the concentration of dissolved salts in water, mainly sodium chloride (salt) (common units: parts per thousand ppt or practical salinity units PSU).

19
Q
  1. i) Temperature
A

Temperature is the measure of the warmth or coldness of water (common units: degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit)

20
Q
  1. What are the critical levels of DO, pH for freshwater fish?
A

DO: 14.6 ppm*max under ideal conditions
pH: 6-8

21
Q
  1. Why might it be important to measure DO, pH and CO2 during the day and night?
A

Levels of these 3 change depending on day/night.
During the day plants produce oxygen and use up CO2, which raises pH. At night they respire which does the opposite lowering oxygen, pH and increase CO2.

22
Q
  1. How can the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere impact acidity of lakes and rivers?
A

Impacts the acidity through a process called acid deposition (acid rain)

23
Q
  1. What are 4 nutrients that are often limiting in aquatic ecosystems (in limited supply) ?
A

Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Sulfur and Calcium

24
Q
  1. T/F A sudden spike in conductivity may indicate pollution or run off event.
A

True. A sudden spike in conductivity can indicate pollution or a runoff event. Conductivity measures the ability of water to conduct.

25
Q
  1. What is the difference between QA and QC? Be able to provide examples of each.
A

QA procedures refer to techniques that improve the quality of collected data (Study design, equipment used, labelling systems, record keeping, sample size)
QC refers to the process of verifying that QA procedures are working properly. ( audits, equipment servicing, replicate testing, blank testing, employee knowledge testing and training).

26
Q
  1. Explain the difference between accuracy and precision using an example.
A

Accuracy- How close a measurement is to its true target
Precision- Consistency in results

27
Q
  1. Define the 2 types of error we might encounter in aquatic studies.
A

1.Instrument error: Inaccuracies associated with the instruments or tool; this can be caused by improper calibration.
2.Unexpected changes to the environment: Natural fluctuations of the environment can cause error in the results, taking multiple samples will help lessen the chances of this error.

28
Q
  1. What is a watershed? Why is watershed-level management important?
A

A water shed is a big area where all the rain, snow and water flow into the same place, like a river or lake. Watershed-level management is important because it helps us take care of our water resources. By managing the land and activities within a watershed, we can keep the water clean and prevent flooding.

29
Q
  1. Differential between lentic and lotic environments
A
  1. Lentic environments are still waters like ponds, lakes, and wetlands where water doesn’t move much.
  2. Lotic environments are flowing waters like rivers, streams and creeks. Water is always on the move.
30
Q
  1. What are the 3 stream categories of permanency and differences between them.
A
  1. Ephemeral streams- show up after it rains, flow after precipitation and not during dry periods.
  2. Intermittent(seasonal)- They flow for part of the year when there’s enough water from rain or snowmelt. The rest of the time they may be dry.
  3. Perennial streams- Flow all year round, usually fed by groundwater or other sources that keep them going when its dry.
31
Q
  1. What is the difference between littoral and limnetic zones?
A
  1. Littoral zone- part of a lake or pond that’s close to the shore. Shallow and gets a lot of sunlight, typically plants grow there.
  2. Limnetic zone- open water area where it’s to deep for sunlight to reach the bottom.
32
Q
  1. Compare the 3 categories of lake productivity. What drives this productivity status?
A

Oligotrophic lakes- these are like minimalist lakes, deep and clear with not a lot of nutrients or algae. Not a lot of plant or animal life.
Mesotrophic lakes- they’ve got more nutrients than oligotrophic lakes, so they have more plants and animals.
Eutrophic lakes- lots of nutrients, lots of plants and algae, often murky. Support a lot of fish but sometimes has too many algae.

33
Q
  1. What is thermal stratification and why does it occur in lakes? Know the names and characteristics of each layer stratification layer.
A
  1. Epilimnion- top layer that gets all sunlight. Warmest and usually has the most oxygen because its mixing with the air.
  2. Metalimnion- the middle layer where the temperature drops quickly.
  3. Hypolimnion- the bottom layer that’s the coldest and doesn’t get much light. Its denser and often less oxygen.
34
Q
  1. What is a thermocline? Does it have any impact on aquatic life?
A

Thermocline is a distinct layer in a large body of water, where there is a rapid change in temperature with depth. This change in temperature creates a barrier between the upper layer (warmer) and lower layer (colder).
Can affect aquatic life through distribution of species, many fish, zooplankton, and others prefer or thrive better in specific temperature ranges. Thermocline acts as a barrier that limits their vertical movement within their water column.
Thermocline also impacts oxygen and nutrient levels. Deeper water below the thermocline may have lower oxygen levels and reduced nutrient availability influencing organisms that can thrive in different depths.

35
Q
  1. Know the classifications of lakes based on their stratification regime (how often they mix) (4 types)
A
  1. Polymictic lakes- characterized by frequent and thorough mixing of their water layers. Typically shallow and may have a small surface area relative to depth. Mixing occurs regularly throughout the year.
  2. Dimictic lakes- undergo two distinct periods of mixing each year. Mix completely in spring and fall (periods of temp change).
  3. Monomictic lakes- experience one mixing per year. Typically occurs in winter or spring when the entire water column reaches a uniform temp. These lakes are common in colder climates.
  4. Oligomictic lakes- Rarely mix completely and may have distinct layers of water that do not mix on a regular basis. Mixing may occur only under specific conditions such as severe storms.
36
Q
  1. In your own words, explain how riffles and pools are formed in a river system.
A

Riffles and Pools are created by erosions and deposition of materials and create complex habitats

37
Q
  1. Define erosional vs. depositional habitats.
A
  1. Erosional habitats (ex- corner pools, lateral scour pools , are habitats that have had eroding and movement of debre and material particles, clearing a space for certain species to live.
  2. Depositional habitats are habitats built from materials from an erosional habitat, it is a buildup of materials that create habitats for certain species.
38
Q
  1. Name 3 features that are used to identify algae:
A

Colors, colonial or single, types of chemicals in water, the amount of chlorophyll

39
Q
  1. What are the 3 major groups of zooplankton discussed in class? Be able to match a picture to each group.
A
  1. Rotifers
  2. Copepods
  3. Cladocerans
40
Q
  1. What is countershading? What advantages does it provide?
A

Countershading is a color pattern where the back or top of an animal is darker-colored, and the belly or underside of the animal is light-colored or white.

41
Q
  1. Know how to identify the 4 type of scales discussed in class if given a picture
A

Placoid, Ganoid, Cycloid,Ctenoid

42
Q
  1. Know the mouth orientations discussed in class, and be able to identify if given a picture
A

Terminal, Superior, Inferior Sub-Terminal

43
Q
  1. Know the tail shapes discussed in class, and be able to identify if given a picture
A

Heterocercal, Forked, Lunate, Emarginate, Truncate, Rounded, Pointed

44
Q
A

Aquatic Ecology (2 decks)

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