Ecologt Flashcards
What is ecology?
interaction of biotic and abiotic components of ecosystem
What are abiotic features of in an enviro?
Availability of Ions, water, gases Viscosity Buoyancy Temp variation Light Pressure
How does availability of ions affect aquatic and terrestrial enviro?
Influences type of plant and animal diversity
How does availability of water affect aquatic and terrestrial enviro?
A=orgs surrounded by water with dissolved ions, ability for use depends on osmotic factos
T=varies in deserts, orgs need special adaptations to survive off less water and store it
How does viscosity affect aquatic and terrestrial enviro?
A=water more viscous, need streamline shape to move
T=Air has low viscosity, orgs can move more easily
How does buoyancy affect aquatic and terrestrial enviro?
A= greater , skeletal structures not as strong, water lifts them
T=less than in water, stronger skeleton for support
How does temp variation affect aquatic and terrestrial enviro?
A=less heat as depth increases, less org diversity
T= daily changes, extreme in desert, adaptations needed to survive
How does availability of gases affect aquatic and terrestrial enviro?
A=limited, more O in deeper water,
less O = less active org
T=constantly available
How does pressure affect aquatic and terrestrial enviro?
A=increases with depth, stronger structures, can’t move as quickly
T=Lessens as height above sea increases, influences breathing of orgs
How does light affect aquatic and terrestrial enviro?
A=less as depth increases, influences org distribution
T=Available n most enviros depending on shade, no plants if no light
What is distribution?
Where a species is found (range)
What is abundance
how many species in specific area at specific time
What affects Dist. & Abund. in Water?
Depth-low temp, high pressure, low light
Rock platforms-fast flowing water, orgs must cling on, or be strong survivors
Estuary-constant changes in salinity, turbidity, water levels and flow (plants must adapt)
Wetlands- Water logged soil, low O,(plants must cope with constant change)
Predators, Human disturbances, Water currents, Climate change
What affects Dist. & Abund. on Land?
Desert- no rain, sparse plants, many orgs live by burrowing
Rainforests- high rain & humidity and rates of nutrient recycling. Less sun which restricts life, adapted to live at height
Heath- winds bring salt from sea and plants must be salt tolerant and adapted to low nutrients and changing rain
Sand dunes-temp changes, lots of sun, low moisture retention and nutrients, legumes grow 1st and chnage nitrogen in air
HUman distrubances, habitat availability, climate change, predators
Quadrats
sampling technique relies on species counted (must be slow/immobile)
Relies on species being evenly distributed to have good estimate
