Chapter 4: Characteristics of Ecosystems

Question 1

Ecology

Answer 1

The study of interactions between organisms and their living and non-living environment.

Question 2

Abiotic Factor

Answer 2

A non-living factor that influences an organism.

Question 3

Biotic Factor

Answer 3

A living factor that influences an organism.

Question 4

Population

Answer 4

A group of the same species living in the same habitat.

Question 5

Community

Answer 5

The collection of populations in an ecosystem or habitat.

Question 6

Ecosystem

Answer 6

The community of populations alongside their physical environment.

Question 7

Ecotone

Answer 7

A transition area between ecosystems.

Question 8

Ecological Niche

Answer 8

An organism's role in an ecosystem. 
Consisting of:
1. Its place in the food web.
2. Its breeding area.
3. The time of day at which it is most active.
4. Its habitat.

Question 9

Biome

Answer 9

A large geographical region with a specific range of temperature and precipitation, and the organisms that are adapted to those conditions of temperature and precipitation.

Question 10

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Answer 10

Ecosystems on land.

Alberta’s terrestrial ecosystems include taiga and grassland.

Question 11

Canopy

Answer 11

The upper layer of vegetation in a forest.

Question 12

Permafrost

Answer 12

Permanently frozen soil.

Question 13

Muskeg

Answer 13

Soil above the permafrost that is swampy or boggy in summer.

Question 14

Understory

Answer 14

Below the canopy layer; usually shrubs and smaller trees.

Question 15

Abiotic Factors Of Taiga Ecosystem

Answer 15

• northern and central Alberta
• changeable weather
• soil contains some water and is acidic
• precipitation is 50-250 cm/a

Question 16

Abiotic Factors of Muskeg Ecosystems

Answer 16

• cold temperatures
• short growing season
• permafrost layer beneath soil
• low precipitation; 50-150 cm/a

Question 17

Abiotic Factors of Grassland Ecosystems

Answer 17

• central and southern Alberta
• increased sunlight and warmer temperatures than muskeg or boreal forest ecosystems
• rich fertile soil
• precipitation 25-100cm/a

Question 18

Abiotic Factors of Deciduous Forest Ecosystems

Answer 18

• Central Alberta
• increased sunlight and warmer temperatures
• rich fertile soil
  precipitation 75-250 cm/a

Question 19

Littoral Zone

Answer 19

The area from the shore of a lake or pond to the point where no more plants grow in the lake bottom.

Question 20

Limnetic Zone

Answer 20

The area of a lake or pond in which there is open water and sufficient light for photosynthesis to occur.

Question 21

Plankton

Answer 21

Autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms found in the limnetic zone.

Question 22

Profundal Zone

Answer 22

The region of a lake beneath the limnetic zone. in which there is insufficient light for photosynthesis to occur.

Question 23

Litter

Answer 23

The upper layer of soil, composed mainly of partially decomposed leaves or grasses.

Question 24

Topsoil

Answer 24

The soil layer beneath the litter, composed of small particles of rock mixed with humus.

Question 25

Humus

Answer 25

Decaying plant and animal matter.

Question 26

Subsoil

Answer 26

The soil layer beneath the topsoil, usually containing more rock particles and less organic matter than the topsoil.

Question 27

Bedrock

Answer 27

The layer beneath the soil, composed of rock.

Question 28

Groundwater

Answer 28

Water in the soil or rock below Earth's surface.

Question 29

Climate

Answer 29

The temperature, precipitations, and overall conditions of an environment. The common average is used to determine the biome, however there are numerous climates and ecosystems found in a singular biome.

Question 30

Epilimnion

Answer 30

The upper level of a lake, which warms up in summer.

Question 31

Hypolimnion

Answer 31

The lower level of a lake, which remains at a low temperature year round.

Question 32

Thermocline

Answer 32

The zone between the epilimnion and hypolimnion, in which temperature changes rapidly.

Question 33

Biotic Potential

Answer 33

The maximum number of offspring that a species could produce with unlimited resources. Factors include: 1. Birth potential 2. Capacity for survival 3. Breeding frequency 4. Length of reproductive life

Question 34

Carrying Capacity

Answer 34

The maximum number of individuals of a species that can be supported by an ecosystem.

Question 35

Law of The Minimum

Answer 35

States that the nutrient in the least supply is the one that limits growth.

Question 36

Law of Tolerance

Answer 36

States that an orgnism can survive within a particular range of an abiotic factor.

Question 37

Density-Independent Factor

Answer 37

A factor in an ecosystem that affects members of a population regardless of population denisty.

Question 38

Density-Dependent Factor

Answer 38

A factor in an ecosystem that affects members of a population because of the population density.

Question 39

Slash-and-Burn

Answer 39

The complete clearing of a forest by felling and burning the trees.

Question 40

Clear-Cutting

Answer 40

The removal of all trees in an area.

Question 41

Selective Cutting

Answer 41

The harvesting of only certain trees from an area.

Question 42

Prescribed Burn

Answer 42

A controlled fire set intentionally in a designated area.

Question 43

Oligotrophic

Answer 43

Having low nutrient levels.

Question 44

Eutrophic

Answer 44

Having high nutrient levels.

Question 45

4 Categories of Water Pollution

Answer 45

1. Organic solid waste 2. Disease-causing organisms 3. Inorganic solids and dissolved minerals 4. Organic compounds

Question 46

Coliform bacteria

Answer 46

A type of bacteria that occurs naturally in the intestines of humans and other animals, and indicates the presence of fecal contamination in water.

Question 47

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Answer 47

The amount of dissolved oxygen needed by decomposers to completely break down the organic matter in a water sample at 20 degrees celsius over five days.

Question 48

Watershed

Answer 48

The land that drains toward a lake or other body of water.