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ecology > chapter 21 > Flashcards

chapter 21 Flashcards

1
Q

moves many elements through ecosystems.

A

The hydrologic cycle

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2
Q

closely tied to the movement of energy.

A

The carbon cycle

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3
Q

cycles through ecosystems in many different forms.

A

Nitrogen

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4
Q

cycle that moves between land and water

A

The phosphorus cycle

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5
Q

nutrients regenerate in the soil in what ecosystems

A

terrestrial ecosystems

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6
Q

The movement of water from the oceans to continents is driven by

A

the Sun’s energy.

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7
Q

the movement of water through ecosystems and atmosphere; includes evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation.

A

Hydrologic cycle

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8
Q

97% of water is found in the oceans where is the reamaining water found

A

the remaining water is in lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, underground aquifers, and soil

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9
Q

what happens if evaporation doesnt balance the amount of precipitation

A

all water would accumulate in one part of the cycle

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10
Q

on a global scale where is precipitation greater than evaporation

A

in terrestrial ecosystems

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11
Q

where is evaporation greater than precipitation

A

aquatic systems

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12
Q

what happens to excess water that falls on land

A

it is transported in runoff and groundwater into aquatic systems.

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13
Q

reduces the water that enters the soil and increases runoff.

A

Creation of impervious surfaces (e.g., roofing, pavement)

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14
Q

roofing, pavement are examples of

A

impervious surfaces

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15
Q

decreases evapotranspiration and also increases runoff.

A

Removing plant biomass

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16
Q

examples of removing plant biomass

A

cutting down a forest

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17
Q

a way humans use water from the ground before it can be replenished

A

irrigation

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18
Q

may increase temperatures and evaporation rates, leading to an intensity of rain and snowstorms.

A

Climate change

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19
Q

How might the ocean reduce the effects of fossil fuel combustion on CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere

A

by absorbing atmospheric CO2

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20
Q

in what habitats is carbon is used for respiration instead of oxygen.

A

In some O2 -poor habitats (e.g., swamps

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21
Q

has increased to meet energy demands Over the past two centuries

A

extraction and combustion of fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas)

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22
Q

Combustion of what releases CO2 into the atmosphere?

A

fossil fuels

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23
Q

greenhouse gas that absorbs infrared radiation.

A

CO2

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24
Q

exacerbates the problems of excessive greenhouse gases and global warming

A

Decomposing peat releases methane gas

25
Q

How might N-fixing bacteria living in symbiosis w/ a plant affect the types of EVRs in which the plant could live

A

It would allow the plant to live in areas without much nitrogen (i.e. low nitrogen).

26
Q

the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into forms producers can use, including ammonia (NH3) which is rapidly converted into ammonium (NH4+), and nitrate (NO3–).

A

Nitrogen fixation

27
Q

occurs in some species of cyanobacteria, free-living species of bacteria (e.g., Azotobacter) and in bacteria that form mutualisms with plants (e.g., Rhizobium).

A

Nitrogen fixation

28
Q

requires high amounts of energy, which can be obtained by metabolizing organic matter or from mutualistic partners.

A

Fixation

29
Q

occurs when lightning, wildfires, or combustion of fossil fuels provide energy to convert N2 into NO3–.

A

Abiotic nitrogen fixation

30
Q

uses high amounts of energy to convert N2 gas into ammonia or nitrates.

A

Industrial production of N-rich fertilizers

31
Q

the final process in the nitrogen cycle, which converts ammonium to nitrite, and then from nitrite to nitrate

A

Nitrification

32
Q

occurs when primary producers take up NH4+ or NO3– and incorporate it into their tissues; consumers assimilate nitrogen from primary producers or excrete it as waste.

A

Assimilation

33
Q

the process of breaking down organic compounds into inorganic compounds.

A

Mineralization

34
Q

the process of converting nitrates into nitrogen gas:

A

Denitrification

35
Q

under what conditions do bacteria under go denitrification

A

anaerobic conditions

36
Q

necessary for breaking down organic matter in oxygen-depleted soils and sediments.

A

Denitrification

37
Q

causes nitrogen to leave ecosystems as a gas.

A

Denitrification

38
Q

reacts with water to form nitrates, which fall to the ground during precipitation.

A

Nitric oxide

39
Q

what effect does precipitation of nitrates have on ecosystems

A

precipitation of nitrates fertilizes ecosystems, increases productivity, and decreases species richness

40
Q

what does phosphorous not have in its cycle

A

a gas phase

41
Q

what is the only form phophorous can enter the atmosphere

A

dust

42
Q

how do animals eliminate excess phosphourous

A

by excreting urine with PO4^3- or other compiunds that are converted by phosphatizing bacteria

43
Q

iron binds with sulfur instead of phosphorus, making phosphorus more available under what conditions?

A

Under low-oxygen conditions

44
Q

what kind of nutrient is phosphorous in terrestrial and aquatic systems

A

limiting nutrient

45
Q

can contribute to algal blooms in aquatic ecosystems.

A

Phosphorus, in combination with excess nitrates,

46
Q

an increase in productivity of aquatic ecosystems

A

Eutrophication

47
Q

an increase in the productivity of aquatic ecosystems caused by human activities.

A

Cultural eutrophication

48
Q

example of humans impact on phosphorous cycling

A

phosphates from household detergents travelled to natual systems and contributed to eutrophication and dead zones

49
Q

Why is the weathering of bedrock responsible for such a small fraction of nutrients available to plants?

A

There is a large distance between bedrock and plant roots.

50
Q

Nutrient loss from leaching and water transport is balanced by

A

inputs of nutrients from the air (e.g., nitrogen) and from weathering of bedrock beneath the soil (e.g., phosphorus).

51
Q

Acids from rainwater and decomposition react with minerals in bedrock to

A

release elements essential to plant growth.

52
Q

Weathering rates can be determined by measuring

A

nutrients entering a system from rainfall and leaving a system by leaching.

53
Q

an area of land draining into a single stream or river.

A

watershed

54
Q

Ecologists often measure rates of nutrient regeneration in a

A

watershed

55
Q

primary production relies on regeneration of nutrients from

A

the break down of detritus.

56
Q

process that breaks down organic matter into smaller and simpler chemical compounds.

A

Decomposition

57
Q

90% of all plant matter produced in a year is not consumed by herbivores, but is ultimately decomposed in what ecosystem

A

terrestrial ecosystems

58
Q

removes 10–30% of soluble substances from organic matter; larger organic compounds are left behind

A

Leaching

59
Q

plant growth and decomposition in terrestrial systems is influenced by

A

temperature, pH, and moisture

ecology (9 decks)

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