Ecology Flashcards

1
Q

Ecology

A

The study of the distribution and abundance of organisms

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2
Q

What determines where a species is located (i.e. distribution)?

A

The species that are present depend on past and current conditions

  • dispersal (can a species get there?)
  • once there, can it survive and reproduce?
  • ecological time scale: hours = years
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3
Q

Why is species X absent from an area?

A

Does dispersal limit its distribution?

  • yes = area inaccessible or there is insufficient time
  • no = does behavior limit its distribution?
  • yes = habitat selection
  • no = do biotic factors (interactions with other species; i.e. predation and competition) limit its distribution?
  • yes = predation, parasitism; competition, disease
  • no = do abiotic (interactions with non-living factors) limit its distribution?
  • chemical factors = water, oxygen, salinity, pH, soil nutrients, etc.
  • physical factors = temperature, light, soil structure, fire, moisture, etc.
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4
Q

Biogeography

A

Study of species distribution, often with an emphasis on historical events and differences between past and present patterns of distribution

  • results of evolution apparent over time and also over space
  • historical events in Earth’s history had strong effects on distribution of species (plate tectonics)
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5
Q

Continental drift

A

Earth’s crust is dynamic in geologic time and is evidence of “super continent” pangea

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6
Q

Dispersal

A

Movement of individuals away from centers of high population density or from their area of origin

  • can happen due to human activity
  • can happen due to natural movement of organism
  • scale of natural dispersal is highly variable among taxa and groups
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7
Q

Abiotic factors

A

Important effects on organism distribution

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8
Q

Biotic factors

A

Affects the distribution of organisms

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9
Q

Climate

A

Long term, prevailing weather patterns in an area

  • key abiotic factor
  • creates distinct biomes
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10
Q

Biome

A

Characteristic type of ecological community within a particular climate

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