Chapter 13 Flashcards
(34 cards)
Biodiversity
The number of different species found across the surface of the earth.
Biosphere
Extends from below the ocean floor to about 5 miles above the surface.
You tend to find the greatest amount of biodiversity in
places like tropical rainforest environments, low latitude warm, and wet environments.
E
polar environments
Ecology
The study of the relationships between organisms and their environments.
Biogeography
Specifically looking at the distribution of plant and animal species through space and time.
Ecosystem
A self-sustaining association of living plants and animals and their nonliving physical environment
Ecology
Is the study of ecosystems
Biotic Components of an Ecosystem
The actual organisms that are located within that particular ecosystem.
Abiotic Components of an Ecosystem
Things that are not alive like temperature, precipitation, amount of solar energy.
Photosynthesis
sun comes in and has a chemical reaction where the sun energy is translated into carbohydrates that can feed the plants.
Communities
A interacting population of plants and animals within a particular place.
Habitat
A location that fits the needs of that particular species and fits the needs in terms of both biopic and a biotech elements
Adaptation
traits that are present that are possessed by organisms that enable them to survive and reproduce in their environment.
Natural Selection
A process through which organisms best adapted to a particular environment to survive.
Niche Concept
The job of a particular organism, the niche is based on the biological needs and the physical needs; there is never two species that have the the same niche.
Symbiosis
Two species are associated in such a way that association may benefit at least one of them.
Mutualism
In symbiosis where each participant in the relationship benefits from that relationship. Example: Fungus and Algae where fungus make up the habitat and the algae provide the food.
Parasitism
In symbiosis where one species benefits from the relationship but the other species is harmed. Example: Mistletoe benefits but the tree is harmed.
Commensalism
In symbiosis where one species benefits and the other species is not harmed or helped. Example: Orchid on trees or Epiphytic plants the tree is not harmed but the plant benefits by having a place to live.
Abiotic Influences on Distribution
Example: Poinsettias require at least 2 months of 14 hour nights because of that no poinsettias would live in a low latitude equatorial environment.
Life-Zone Concept or Altitudinal Zonation System
Changes in latitude are going to be mimicked by changes in elevation, so there is a relationship between moving to higher latitudes and moving to a higher elevation. developed in probably late 1800s by Alexander Van Humboldt
Limiting Factors
Some sort of physical, chemical, or biological factor that can determine where a particular species is located as well as how large that species population is. Example: Precipitation, Temperature, Amount of Light, Soil Nutrients
Tolerance Range
One critical limiting factor that determines the size and the distribution of a particular species