Biology Chapter 3 and 4

Question 1

Equilibrium?

Answer 1

The state of an ecosystem with constant biotic and abiotic conditions.

Question 2

succession?

Answer 2

the process of establishing a community following a disturbance

Question 3

primary succession?

Answer 3

succession on new exposed ground. Occurs very slowly and where no life existed before. Ex after a volcanic eruption

Question 4

secondary succession?

Answer 4

succession in a disturbed ecosystem. Occurs fast and follows a disturbance not destroying the ecosystem. Ex following a forest fire

Question 5

Habitat fragmentation?

Answer 5

occurs when large blocks of habitat are cut to smaller pieces by development such as roads or housing.
Larger blocks support stable populations, bigger areas have more to offer, populations can use the entire area, and create wildlife corridors for migration.

Question 6

Biodiversity?

Answer 6

the variety of life found in an area

Question 7

Species richness?

Answer 7

number of species found in an area

Question 8

Where is species diversity greatest?

Answer 8

tropical rainforests due to the climate which can support a variety of species

Question 9

extirpated?

Answer 9

when a species no longer exists in a specific area but lives elsewhere.

Question 10

endangered?

Answer 10

species in danger of going extinct

Question 11

threatened?

Answer 11

species likely to become endangered

Question 12

special concern?

Answer 12

species that may become threatened

Question 13

Non native species?

Answer 13

a species living in an area where it did not first appear. Could be accidental or intentional.

Question 14

invasive species?

Answer 14

introduced species with growing populations that spread and have a negative effect on their environment.

Question 15

What does introducing non native or invasive species to en ecosystem do?

Answer 15

can cause the extinction of native animals and plants. It can force them to compete for limited resources.

Question 16

Do all non native species become invasive?

Answer 16

No

Question 17

Acid precipitation?

Answer 17

rain that has been made more acidic than usual by the combination of certain chemicals in the air with water vapor.

Question 18

How does acid precipitation affect aquatic ecosystems?

Answer 18

lowers population of microscopic organisms.

Question 19

How does acid precipitation affect terrestrial ecosystems?

Answer 19

it chemically changes the soil by depleting nutrients needed by plants. This damages vegetation and results in slower growth.

Question 20

How do oil spills affect aquatic ecosystems?

Answer 20

Covers ocean, beach, seabed, and animals. Sea birds ingest it when cleaning themselves.

Question 21

methods to clean oil spills?

Answer 21

Skimming/Vacuuming
Bioremediation - using microorganisms to consume and break down environmental pollutants.
Burning - oil can be lit on fire if floating on the surface so that it burns away.

Question 22

Natural fertilizer?

Answer 22

plant nutrients have been obtained from natural sources and not chemically altered by humans. Ex. plant/animal waste, compost, manure.

Question 23

Synthetic fertilizer?

Answer 23

manufactured by chemical processes

Question 24

How does algal bloom affect aquatic ecosystems?

Answer 24

The bacteria involved in decomposition of algal bloom uses up a lot of dissolved oxygen which kills fish and other organisms.

Question 25

Biochar?

Answer 25

Charcoal rich soil

Question 26

Pesticides?

Answer 26

substance used to kill a pest through biological or physical harm.

Question 27

How are pesticides useful to farmers?

Answer 27

they have increased crop yields by killing pests that are harming the crops.

Question 28

issues with pesticides?

Answer 28

1. Kill species that they are not intended to kill.
   2.Bioamplification - toxins in organisms are passed to other organisms. The higher up the food chain, the more concentrated the pesticides become.
   3.Pesticide resistance - when pesticides are used for long periods of time, some species become resistant.