Chapter 52 - An Introduction To Ecology And The Biosphere Flashcards

1
Q

Define ecology

A

The scientific study of the interactions between organisms and the environment (other organisms as well as physical aspects of an organism’s surroundings)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is organismal ecology concerned with?

A

How an organism’s structure, physiology, and behavior meet the challenges posed by its environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe population ecology

A

Analyzes factors that affect population size and how and why it changes through time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe community ecology

A

Examines how interactions between species, such as predation and competition, affect community structure and organization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define ecosystem

A

An ecosystem is the community of organisms in an area and the physical factors with which those organisms interact

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define community

A

A group of populations of different species in an area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe ecosystem ecology

A

Emphasizes the energy flow and chemical cycling between organisms and the environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define landscape

A

A mosaic of connected ecosystems

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe landscape ecology

A

Focuses on the factors controlling exchange of energy, materials, and organisms across multiple ecosystems

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Define biosphere

A

The global ecosystem - the sum of the planet’s ecosystems and landscapes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe global ecology

A

Examines how the regional exchange of energy and materials influences the functioning and distribution of organisms across the biosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is climate and how does it differ from weather?

A

The long term prevailing weather conditions in a given area; its key components include temperature, precipitation, sunlight and wind

Weather is short term

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe microclimate and it’s difference from macro climate.

A

Very fine, localized patterns in climate conditions vs. the general climate of a large area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is climate affected by?

A

Seasonality, large bodies of water, and mountains

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe north vs south facing slopes in the northern hemisphere

A

South facing is drier and the north facing is more moist because of the angle of the sun; opposite in Southern Hemisphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Where are the strongest winds?

A

The trade winds are 30 degrees above and below the equator

17
Q

Where are rain shadows located?

A

The leeward side of the mountains

18
Q

Define biomes

A

Major life zones characterized by vegetation type (terrestrial biomes) or physical environment (aquatic biomes) defined by the types of plants that live there

19
Q

What is a major factor of determining the locations of terrestrial biomes and why?

A

Climate is very important in determining why terrestrial biomes are found in certain areas because they affect the types of plants

20
Q

What is an ecotone?

A

The area of degradation of other biomes into each other

21
Q

Describe vertical layering

A

An important feature of terrestrial biomes consisting of an upper canopy, lower tree layer, shrub understory, ground layer of herbaceous plants, forest floor, and root layer

22
Q

Define disturbance

A

An event that changes a community ie storm, fire, human activity

23
Q

Describe tropical rainforests

A

Equatorial and subequatorial regions
Constant rainfall in rainforests and seasonal rainfall in dry forests
High temperature year round (stable environment for more speciation)
Most vertical layering
Harmed by rapid human growth

24
Q

Describe deserts

A

Bands 30 deg N/S of equator and in interior of continents
Low&variable precipitation (<30cm/yr)
Temp variable by day and season
Specialized vegetation and animals depending on desert type
Common animals: reptiles many nocturnal, few mammals bc no water
Natural disturbances are common (floods)

25
Where are hot deserts commonly located?
At lower altitudes
26
Where are cold deserts commonly located?
Interior of continents High altitudes Areas with little precipitation
27
Describe the coastal desert (chaparral = Mediterranean climate)
Very few places in the world Western sides of continents with cool ocean currents Cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers Adapted to periodic fire and seasonal drought Vegetation: shrubs and low trees with tough leaves Harmed by urbanization and ATVs
28
Describe semi-arid deserts
Similar to coastal but with less rainfall and higher temperatures Prone to flash floods Ex. Utah, Arizona, S. Nevada
29
Describe a Savanna
Grassland scattered with individual trees Climate shapes biome (rainfall is concentrated with dry season lasting 8-9 mo) Fires are important Large grazing and browsing mammals (bc a lot of plants to eat); large predators Problems: poaching, overgrazing, land clearing/agriculture
30
Describe the temperate grassland
``` Precipitation highly seasonal Cold, dry winters and hot, wet summers Dominated by grasslands Adapted to drought and fire Native mammals: large grazers (bison, horses) and small burrowers ( prairie dogs) Most converted to farmland ```
31
Describe northern coniferous forest/Taiga/boreal
Largest terrestrial biome on earth (most of Canada and Russia) Shorter, warmer summers and long, cold winters Conifers dominate (shape of needle scale like leaves allows snow to fall off and reduces water loss) Migratory birds Unstable/cold conditions Only N. Hemisphere
32
Describe temperate broadleaf (deciduous) forest
Mainly mid-latitudes in N. Hemisphere Well defined season w/ summer rain (hot&humid) and winter snow Well developed vertical layers Richer soil bc more leafy trees and light (humus) Small animals dominate Treats: urbanization and acid rain
33
Describe the tundra
``` Tundra = treeless plain Precipitation: mainly snow but not much in arctic Cold winters (-60F) cool summers (50C) ```
34
Describe the arctic tundra
Only few species with large populations and lots of insects Many migratory species (high population oscillations) Few reptiles and amphibians (cold) Soil = permafrost Plants: lichens, poss, low shrubs Threats: climate change, permafrost = carbon source
35
Describe the alpine tundra
Soil is well drained Mountains where trees cannot grow Plants: low growing shrubs Mammals: small year round (little migration except elk) Threats: ski development, air pollution, acid rain, climate change
36
Define ecological time
The minute to minute time frame of interactions between organisms and the environment
37
Define evolutionary time
The time frame from generation to generation (long periods of time) that natural selection goes through; can be resulting from ecological time
38
Define dispersal and how it is different from migration.
The permanent movement of individuals/gametes from origin or from centers of high population density. Migration is the regular long lasting change in location to areas of good birthing or good food
39
Define adaptive radiation
Rapid evolution of an ancestral species into a new species that can fill an ecological role ie. Tarwerd to Hawaiian Silversword