Chapter 18 Introduction to Ecology Flashcards
What is the biosphere?
the layer on Earth that supports life
What is an example on interdependence?
birds depend on plants for food and oxygen, plants depend on birds for carbon dioxide, to spread seeds, and return nutrients
What is an ecosystem?
all the biotic and abiotic factors in an area (ex: a forest)
What is a community?
all the organisms in an area (ex: trees, flowers, birds, mice)
What is a population?
all the members of a species in an area (ex: all the moose)
What is an example of a biotic factor?
an animal or plant in an area
What is an example of an abiotic factor?
the temperature, light, water, oxygen, chemicals in the soil in an area
What is a tolerance curve?
the range in which an organism is able to function
How do organisms escaped unsuitable conditions?
by becoming dormant (hibernate), being nocturnal, diurnal, or crepuscular, or migrating to better resources
What is a niche?
the role a species plays in its environment including its habitat, tolerance level, the resources it uses, number of offspring, time of activity
What is an example of a generalist?
coyotes, opossums, ants, rats, humans
What is an example of a specialist?
koalas, pandas, snow leopards
Why are decomposers important?
they recycle nutrients, without them we would die
What is an example of a consumer?
herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and detrivores
What are examples of producers?
plants, bacteria that use autotrophy like photosynthesis and chemosynthesis
