Ecology Flashcards
What is ecology
The study of how organisms interact with each other and the environment
What is geographic distribution
Where organisms are found
What is geographic abundance
How many organisms are found in a given area
What are patterns of distribution on a global scale
Physical and climatic barriers prevent dispersal of individuals from birth home to new geographic distributions
What us an example of a physical barrier disperal
Giraffes separated by continents
What is an example of a climatic barrier to dispersal
Snakes have no freeze tolerance and therefore can’t survive in higher latitudes
How is distribution and abundance affected by abiotic factors
- Temperature
- Light intensity
- Water availability
- Terrain
What is abiotic
Non-living
How does tolerance affect an organisms survival rate from abiotic factors
Organisms can survive in an area over a long period of time only if abiotic conditions are withing the organisms range of tolerance
How is distribution and abundance affected by biotic factors
- The presence/absence of other organisms
- Tree coverage
- Food requirements
- Predators
- Competitors
What is biotic
Living
What is an example of abiotic and biotic factors on a local distribution of intertidal organisms
Barnacles and muscles are marine animals and do better in the water than when exposed to air. Length of time an intertidal organism is exposed to terrestrial conditions depend upon its location in the intertidal zone
What are abiotic conditions in the intertidal zone
More optimal for intertidal organisms when exposed to marine conditions. Stressful when exposed to air. Ex: organisms closer to tide are more likely to survive than organisms further from tide
What are biotic conditions in the intertidal zone
Predation intensity from marine predators is higher when intertidal organisms are submerged in water. Competition for limited resources like space is more intense in locations where abiotic conditions are more optimal
What is population
A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area at the same time
