Chem Review/Alkalinity/Ecosystems Flashcards
What are the 5 possible combinations of the types of alkalinity?
- Hydroxide
- Carbonate
- Hydroxide and Carbonate
- Carbonate and Bicarbonate
- Bicarbonate
Notes:
- Hydroxide and Bicarbonate cannot coexist
- No alkalinity when pH < 4.5
Define Population
A group of individuals of a single species in a specific area
Define Ecology
Study of relationships between organisms & physical environment
Define Ecosystem
Unit of analysis
What is the Carrying Capacity?
Carrying capacity (K) is the maximum population (upper limit).
Notes:
- Population grows & declines as K varies
- Specific for each species in ecosystem
- Initial population < K (growth slows as you approach K)
- initial population > K (Population reduces towards K)
Species Interactions: Inhibition(-/0)
Give an example
Penicillum
- Hurts one species
- Defense mechanisms
- “0” organism slightly harmed
Species Interactions: Neutralism (0/0)
Give an example
Lions and merecats
- negligible effect on both species (doesn’t hurt each other)
- species act independently
- no inter-species competition
Species Interactions: Exploitation (-/+)
Give an example
Grizzly bear and salmon
- one organism gets resource from another that is harmed by the interaction
- predator-prey
- parasitism
Species Interactions: Commensalism(0/+)
Give an example
monarch butterflies
- one species benefits, the other not appreciably harmed
- “free-loader” relationship
Species Interactions: Mutualism (+/+)
Give an example
Bees and flower
- Both species benefit
- symbiosis / synergism
What are keystone species?
Impose greater effects on
ecological processes than would be predicted
by their abundance or biomass alone
What are umbrella species?
Large area requirements or
use multiple habitats
What are foundation species?
Create or maintain a habitat
and therefore provide opportunity for other
species
What are ecological species?
Alter the habitat and
therefore modify the opportunities for other
species
Define biodiversity
- Long/slow process of co-evolution
- eg. Natural selection, random mutation, extinction, adaptation, specialisation
Energy & Ecosystems: Give examples of each - producers, consumer and decomposers.
Producers: plants, algae
Consumers: herbivores, carnivores
Decomposers: microorganisms, fungi, detritivores (i.e worms)
Define biomagnification
Process that magnifies concentration of chemicals at higher trophic levels
Notes:
- no destruction of toxin within organism
- no loss of toxin with waste
Ecosystem Services: Give examples for Provisioning Services
Products obtained from ecosystems:
Food
Water
Energy
Raw materials
Ecosystem Services: Give examples for Regulating Services
Water & air purification
Waste treatment
Pest & disease control
Ecosystem Services: Give examples for Cultural Services
Non-material benefits via: Recreation Reflection Spiritual enrichment Aesthetic experiences
Ecosystem Services: Give examples for Supporting Services
Necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services:
Nutrient recycling
Primary production
Soil formation
What are Human services to ecosystems?
Erosion protection
Enhance soil fertility
Stormwater & wastewater treatment
Human impacts on Carbon Cycle
Deforestation
Fossil fuel combustion
Cement production
Human impacts on Nitrogen Cycle
Fossil fuel combustion
Agriculture
Fertiliser
Human impacts on Phosphorous Cycle
Agriculture
Fertiliser
Devegetation
What is Lake Turnover?
seasonal movement of water in a lake causing waters of different temperatures to mix.
nutrients & DO move around lake
Define biomanipulation
Deliberate alteration of an ecosystem by adding or removing species.
Example:
Excessive phytoplankton -> algal blooms
Direct: Introduce zooplankton to eat phytoplankton.
Indirect: Provide more habitat for zooplankton to boost their numbers & reduce number of phytoplankton.
