Chemistry and Nutrient Cycling

Question 1

Ecology Definition

Answer 1

The distribution and abundance of organisms, interactions between living things and the environment, Ecology is a hierarchy of studies, scientists operate at different scales and ask different questions

Question 2

Biotic community (biota)

Answer 2

the grouping of populations in an area. all vegetation, animals, and microscopic organisms, it is determined abiotic

Question 3

Abiotic

Answer 3

nonliving chemical and physical factors (water, climate, salinity, soil)

Question 4

Ecosystem

Answer 4

an interactive complex of communities and the abiotic factors affecting them, species can occupy multiple. Ex: forests, grasslands, wetlands, coral reefs

Question 5

Ecotone

Answer 5

A transitional region between ecosystems, shares species and characteristics of both ecosystems

Question 6

Landscape

Answer 6

A cluster of interacting ecosystems

Question 7

Biome

Answer 7

a large area with the same climate and vegetation. Ex: tundra, savannah, desert. can often be predicted by rainfall and temperature. no sharp boundaries

Question 8

Biosphere

Answer 8

the huge system formed by all living things

Question 9

For every factor there is an optimum range

Answer 9

a certain level where organisms grow or survive best, organisms do less well at higher or lower levels, they do not survive at extremes

Question 10

Range of tolerance

Answer 10

the entire range allowing any growth

Question 11

limits of tolerance

Answer 11

the high and low ends of the range of tolerance

Question 12

zones of stress

Answer 12

between the optimal range and high or low limit of tolerance

Question 13

survival depends on optimum levels of factors

Answer 13

individuals living in an area that is above or below the optimum level for a certain factor may die