Ecology

Question 1

What is optimal foraging? What 3 things is it based on?

Answer 1

The idea that animals should eat foods that maximize their energy intake.
Based on Abundance, Catchability, Quality

Question 2

What is Bottom-up control?

Answer 2

When abiotic features determine abundance of primary producers.
Example: Nitrogen

Question 3

What is top-down control?

Answer 3

When predators/ top of food web control abundance of a population in their ecosystem
ie. wolves in yellowstone national park

Question 4

What is a Keystone species? Give example

Answer 4

A species that has a disproportionately large affect on surrounding environment.
When wolves were reintroduced in yellowstone, the amount of elk went down, and height of vegetation went up. Amount of beavers also went up due to the fear of predation by coyotes

Question 5

List the 8 mechanisms of climate change

Answer 5

• Habitat Loss
• Invasive species
• Hunting and Harvesting
• Pollution
• Droughts and fires
• Temperature
• Hurricanes and floods
• Ocean acidification

Question 6

5 mechanisms of evolution

Answer 6

• Mutation
• Genetic drift
• Natural Selection
• Sexual Selection
• Gene Flow