Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Ecology > Community > Flashcards

Community Flashcards

1
Q

Define community

A

A group of interacting plants and animals (biotic) inhabiting a given area

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

What are the 6 things that community is characterized by?

A
  • ecological niche
  • dominant species
  • community structure
  • geographical distribution
  • stability and development over time (succession)
  • species diversity (biodiversity)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are dominant species?

A

The most abundant species or the species that contain the most biomass

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

What are the 3 ways that dominance is achieved?

A
  • quick establishment (ex. after a fire)
  • specialize on a common resource
  • generalize and use a wide variety of resources
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is community structure?

A

Layering (stratification) of vegetation, both vertical and horizontal

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

Highly stratified communities means ____ variety of animal life

A

greater, because it contains more available niches

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

List the structure of a forest community

A

canopy, understory, shrub layer, herb layer, forest floor

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

What are 3 examples of microclimate differences within the different layers in a forest community?

A
  • CO2 is highest near the ground
  • light intensity increases as you move upwards
  • cooler temperatures during the day, while at night there is more rapid cooling outside the canopy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the options for feeding in each layer of a forest?

A

Above canopy: Birds and bats eat insects and small birds
Canopy: birds, bats, mammals eat fruit, leaves, nectar, insects
Below canopy: flying animals range
Middle canopy layer: mammals and reptiles
Ground: large herbivores and carnivores
-Undergrowth: small mammals and birds

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

List the structure of aquatic community

A

Epilimnion, metalimnion, hypolimnion, spring and fall overturns

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

What is a property of water and how does it impact freshwater lakes?

A

Water expands upon freezing, and this contributes to nutrient cycling

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

Explain spring and fall overturns

A

During the winter, the warmest water is at the bottom, and during the summer, the warmest water is at the top. In the spring and fall, water and nutrients are mixed

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

List the structure of a grassland community

A

Herb layer, ground layer

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

Name 3 adaptations that allow grasses to dominate in a grassland community

A
  • root system
  • low ground growing point
  • can be grazed and regrow
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

List the structure of a field crop

A

crop layer, ground layer

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

What are 5 factors that affect community distribution?

A
  • location
  • elevation
  • topography
  • land vs. water adaptation
  • microclimate factors
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define biomes

A

Large regional communities of plants and animals. Plant communities change in response to changes in latitude, elevation, and moisture or proximity to a large body of water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Define ecotone

A

Transition zone between 2 biomes. It will often have some of the characteristics of both biomes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are 4 abiotic factors of an alpine tundra biome?

A
  • slope/topography may limit plants and animals
  • thin soil limits plants
  • temperature is extremely cold in the winter
  • wind and snow are abundant
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are the adaptations that a plant must have in order to survive in an alpine tundra biome?

A

short, stunted form, drought adaptations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are the adaptations that a animal must have in order to survive in an alpine tundra biome?

A

hibernation, migration, or remaining active during winter months. Adaptations to deal with cold temperatures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the alpine tundra biome characterized by?

A

cold temperatures, short growing season, wind

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are 7 characteristics of boreal forests?

A
  • great seasonal temperature fluctuations
  • severe long, harsh, dry winters
  • fire is a normal part of the ecology
  • nutrient poor soils, slow nutrient cycling
  • low productivity compared to temperate forests
  • low plant litter compared to temperate forests…slow rates of decomposition
  • low moisture
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Name 2 leaf adaptations for conifers

A
  • needles for reduced surface area, waxy layer

- submerged stomata

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Name 2 structure adaptations for conifers

A
  • small surface reduces snow accumulation

- flexible sloping branches

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Name 2 physiological adaptations for conifers

A
  • photosynthesis can occur as low as -6 degrees

- tolerate extreme cold

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Name 3 animal adaptations for animals living in a boreal forest biome

A

migration, hibernation, toughing it out

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are 5 characteristics of a grassland biome?

A
  • precipitation limits tree growth
  • soils are high in organic matter
  • plants are adapted to grazing (low growing point)
  • animals are adapted for speed or burrowing
  • plants have fibrous roots
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Name 3 adaptations of an antelope

A
  • big heart
  • extremely fast
  • good eyesight
30
Q

Where does a desert occur?

A

where potential evapotranspiration is greater than precipitation

31
Q

What are 5 characteristics of a desert biome?

A
  • low productivity
  • wide fluctuations in daily temperature
  • lack of continuous litter layer on surface
  • high erosion potential
  • plant and animal adaptations for drought
32
Q

What are 4 characteristics of a temperate deciduous forest?

A
  • deciduous trees lose their leaves for the winter
  • they generally cannot tolerate as low a temperature as trees can in boreal biome
  • better moisture conditions than boreal biome
  • greater species diversity than boreal biome
33
Q

Explain how losing leaves contributes to nutrient cycling?

A

There is nutrient cycling between leaves and roots. Nutrients are released from leaf litter by soil microorganisms from fallen leaves and are taken up by roots.

34
Q

Where do nutrients come from in a deciduous forest?

A
  • leaf litter
  • decaying wood
  • precipitation
  • mineral weathering of soil
35
Q

What are 6 characteristics of a tropical rainforest biome?

A
  • minor seasonal changes in temperature
  • high rates of rainfall
  • tremendous species diversity
  • soils are acidic and infertile
  • plants have adaptations to shade
  • highly stratified communities
36
Q

Define Succession

A

Replacement of one community with another. Development of a community over time

37
Q

Where does primary succession occur?

A

On a site never before colonized by vegetation

38
Q

Where does secondary succession occur?

A

On a disturbed site that has supported vegetation in the past

39
Q

Define sere

A

The sequence of communities from pioneer to climax

40
Q

What are the 3 stages of succession?

A

Pioneer, seral, and climax

41
Q

What is the pioneer stage?

A

Early stages of succession

42
Q

What are seral stages?

A

Each transitional community that dominates the area over time. Each stage has a characteristic structure and species composition. May last short or long periods of time.

43
Q

What is the climax stage?

A

Stable self-perpetuating community

44
Q

What are 5 characteristics of early pioneer stages?

A
  • Lack of soil in primary succession
  • Low soil fertility in secondary succession
  • Harsh changeable environment
  • Often get hardy annual plants with short life cycles
  • Have generalists that are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions
45
Q

Name 6 characteristics of hardy annual plants

A
  • High growth rates
  • Smaller size
  • High rates of dispersal
  • High rates of population growth
  • Can tolerate conditions of low soil fertility
  • Typically are generalists
46
Q

What are 5 characteristics of a climax stage?

A
  • Well developed soil
  • Improved nutrient status (improved soil fertility, nutrients that have accumulated in the biomass of the vegetation can be recycled)
  • More stable environmental conditions
  • Longer lived perennial plants
  • Have specialists that are adapted to a narrow range of environmental conditions
47
Q

Name 4 characteristics of perennial plants

A
  • Lower rates of dispersal
  • Slower growth rates
  • Higher fertility needs
  • Typically are specialists
48
Q

Upland = ______ forest

A

White spruce forest

49
Q

Lowland = ______ forest

A

Black spruce forest

50
Q

Describe the steps of secondary succession to mature white spruce forest

A
  • Fire
  • Annual weeds (generalists)
  • Perennial weeds and grasses
  • Aspen and/or lodgepole pine forest
  • Lodgepole pine replaces aspen as it dies (may not have lodgepole pine)
  • Young spruce grow in shaded areas
  • White spruce replace lodgepole pine
  • White spruce forest (specialists)
51
Q

Why do seral stages occur when they do?

A
  • Soil fertility
  • Some things establish quicker than others
  • Shade conditions
52
Q

How do each of the seral stages modify the environment so that the next stage is better adapted to the new conditions?

A
  • Change in nutrients
  • More moisture accumulating
  • Changing microclimate
53
Q

Give 3 examples of how animals can impact succession

A
  • Moose selectively graze on aspen and willows, speeding transition to conifer forest. They slow nutrient cycling in conifer forest
  • Beaver activity encourages aspen suckering, slowing transition to conifers. There are higher nutrients in areas of beaver activity
  • Moose ultimately modify the environment so that it is less favourable for them
54
Q

Describe the steps of secondary succession in a bog

A
  • Poorly drained kettle lake
  • sphagnum moss dominates area
  • sedges begin to grow around edges
  • floating mat develops
  • mat thickens (orchids, pitcher plants)
  • shrubs (ie. bog birch)
  • tamaracks
  • black spruce
55
Q

Describe the steps of secondary succession in an abandoned prairie field

A
  • weedy annual plants
  • annual grasses (long distance seed dispersal, low requirement for nitrogen and phosphorous)
  • perennial grasses (short distance seed dispersal, higher requirement for nitrogen and phosphorous)
  • climax prairie
56
Q

What are characteristics of tropical rainforests?

A
  • high rainfall
  • continuous canopy with shady interior
  • 2/3 organisms live in canopy
  • soil is low fertility
  • small litter layer
57
Q

Describe the steps of secondary succession in a tropical rainforest

A
  • disturbance (increased sunlight and temperature. Soil dries, severe nutrient depletion)
  • seed bank (seeds of secondary species germinate in changed conditions)
  • secondary species (grow rapidly and germinate in changed conditions)
  • Secondary forest (peaks within 15-20 years, dense understory. Dominated by 1 or few tree species. Attracts rodents = attracts snakes)
  • Climax species (with canopy, shade tolerant trees germinate…eventually crowd out secondary species)
  • Climax forest (diversity begins to reform after tree fall gaps. 1000+ years for a climax forest to redevelop)
58
Q

Define biodiversity

A

Total variety of genes, species, populations and habitats require to sustain a healthy ecosystem

59
Q

What are the 3 levels of threatened species classification?

A

critically endangered species, endangered species, vulnerable species

60
Q

Name 2 species diversity patterns

A
  • increased species diversity as you move from poles to the equator
  • regions with great topographical variation have greater diversity than flatter areas within the same geographic region
61
Q

Define endemic

A

Species with small restricted geographic range. Majority of threatened species are endemic

62
Q

Define biodiversity hotspots

A

Regions of the world with both high species richness and endemism. To qualify a region must support 1500+ endemic plant species and the region must have lost 70%+ of original habitat

63
Q

Name 6 threats to biodiversity

A
  • habitat destruction
  • over-exploitation
  • disease
  • invasive species
  • pollution
  • global climate change
64
Q

Greatest number of species are typically found in countries with what?

A

Low GNP

65
Q

Give 3 examples of habitat destruction

A
  • Green revolution threatens traditional cultivars of crop plants
  • many medicinal plants threatened due to over harvest
  • destruction of tropical rainforest, temperate rainforest, boreal forest, and wetlands
66
Q

Give 9 values of biodiversity

A
  • genetic diversity for breeding programs
  • food for all species
  • pharmaceuticals
  • industrial products
  • bio-control of pest populations
  • improved stability of ecosystem
  • indicators of environmental change
  • life support system of planet
  • aesthetic = ecotourism = recreation
67
Q

What happened in the rabbit decline in Britain in the 1900’s?

A
  • Rabbits were primary herbivores
  • Myxomatosis arrived in 1954 and killed most rabbits.
  • Woodland regeneration
  • grasses grew taller, produced more seed
  • impacted invertebrate population
  • field vole population increased with better habitat
  • brown rat population declined with loss of habitat and increased predator interest
  • predator population changed
68
Q

What were the effects of reintroducing wolves into Yellowstone National Park to establish 10 resident packs?

A
  • Decrease in coyote population = increase in fox and raptor population because they compete
  • Increase in rodent (gophers, squirrels, voles) with absence of coyotes
  • Increase in scavengers (eagles, ravens, foxes, bears, wolverines)
  • Decline in elk herd = recovery of willow and aspen around low-lying wetlands and creeks + renewed riparian areas that provided habitat for beavers, minks, muskrats, otters, and many bird species
69
Q

Define keystone species

A
  • Species that have a disproportionate impact on the community relative to their abundance.
  • Activities by this species determine the structure and stability of the whole community.
  • Removal indicates changes in community structure and may contribute to loss of biodiversity.
  • May create or modify habitats or influence the interactions among other species
70
Q

Give 3 examples of keystone species

A
  • beaver
  • elephant (keystone herbivore)
  • wolves (keystone predator)

Ecology (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions