Ecology Flashcards
What is Ecology?
An approach to living things
Ecologists study relationships
What is Ecosystem Ecology?
The study of the interactions between the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of a defined region
We us ek wooed be f interaction to assess ecosystem health & make predictions
How do we make Ecology predictions?
Models (simplified version of reality)
Healthy systems are in a Dynamic Equilibrium. What is that, and how is it maintained?
When change happens, but overall balance is maintained, by feedback loops.
What happens when equilibrium is not maintained?
The system is unstable, ecosystems can collapse (cannot support life).
What is the Biosphere?
Layers that contain & support life on Earth
What is the Lithosphere?
Rock & minerals
What is the Atmosphere?
Gases
What is the Hydrosphere?
All H2O of all kinds
What are Biomes?
Large regions with characteristic temperatures and precipitation
Ex. Desserts vs. Deciduous Forests
What does difference in resources do?
It impacts diversity of living things
What is an Ecosystem?
A small region, characteristics of Abiotic qualities and the living things it supports
What is a Community?
Groups of different interacting species (biotic)
What is a Population?
A groupof organisms of the same species in the same place … and at the same time
What is an Organism?
One individual of a species
______ must be made available to lining things as _______ _________ (ie. _______)
ENERGY must be made available to lining things as ORGANIC MOLECULES (ie. GLUCOSE)
What are Autotrophs?
“Self feeders”, they make their own nutrients
AKA producers
What are PHOTOautotrophs?
Organisms that use Photosynthesis (Light Energy) & CO2 to make Glucose (&O2)
Plants
Phytoplankton
Bacteria
What are CHEMOautotrophs?
Organisms that use inorganic materials (Fe, H2O, Zn, H2S) and heat (Hydrothermal Vents) to do Chemosynthesis (make organic nutrients)