chapter 4 Flashcards
ecosystems
what is an ecological niche?
the role an organism plays in a community
what are the transition areas between ecosystems called?
ecotones
what are the 4 (main) types of biomes?
tundra, desert, grasslands, and taiga
which biome includes coldness, high precipitation, dry, etc.
taiga/boreal forest
which biome includes dryness, hotness, little rainfall, etc.
desert biome
which biome includes, high vegetation, few trees, grass/flowers, etc
grassland biome
which biome includes permafrost, extremely low temp, poor precipitation, etc.
tundra biome
what are the zones of a lake called?
littoral, limnetic, and profundal zones
what is the brightest and most productive lake zone?
littoral zone
what is the “medium zone” or the second-most productive zone of the lake?
limnetic zone
what is the least productive zone of a lake?
profundal zone
what is birth potential?
the maximum number of offspring per birth
what is the capacity for survival?
the number of offspring that reach reproductive age
what is breeding frequency?
the number of times that a species reproduces
what is the length of reproductive life?
the age of sexual maturity, and how long they can reproduce
what are the limiting factors against biotic potential?
amount of food, water, space, etc.
what are abiotic factors?
the non-living part of an environment
what are biotic factors?
the living part of an environment
what is an example of abiotic factors?
air, soil, temperature, water, pH, etc
what is an example of biotic factors?
animals, plants/fungi, bacteria, etc
what occurs in lakes during the fall and spring?
turnover
what is turnover?
the seasonal mixing of the entire water column
what is eutrophication?
a lake that is high in both nutrients and biological oxygen demand
what is oligotrophic?
a lake that is low in both biological oxygen demand and nutrients
what are the characteristics of a eutrophic lake?
shallow, murky, warm, lots of photosynthesis, etc
what are the characteristics of an oligotrophic lake?
deep, cold, clear, limited organisms, etc
what is biological oxygen demand?
the amount of oxygen needed by decomposers to completely break down organic matter
what is coliform bacteria?
bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals and indicates fecal matter/disease
why is coliform bacteria important?
Its presence indicates dangerous diseases in both humans and animals
what is carrying capacity?
the maximum number of individuals of a species that an ecosystem can support
what is clear-cutting?
the removal of all trees within a given area
what is selective cutting?
only certain tree types are harvested in an area
what is the “slash and burn” method?
the complete clearing of a forest and burning of trees
which biome includes slow decomposition, little organic matter, permafrost, etc
slow decomposition, little organic matter,
what is a plant species or an animal species that is non-native?
exotic/invasive species
what are density-independent factors?
affects a population regardless of population density
what are density-dependant factors?
affects a population based on population density
what is an example(s) of density-dependant factors?
weather, fire, flood, drought, climate change, etc (abiotic)
what is an example(s) of density-independent factors?
food supply, water supply, disease, predators, etc
