Ecology Flashcards
What is ecology?
The study of how living things interact with each other and their abiotic environment.
What is an ecosystem?
A community of organisms and their interactions with their environment.
What is the biosphere?
The part of the earth that supports life.
Define habitat.
The place where a species lives.
What is a niche
The functional role of an organism in an ecosystem.
What is an abiotic factor?
A non-living factor that influences a community.
What is a biotic factor?
A living factor that influences a community.
Define community in an ecological context.
A number of different species interacting with each other in an ecosystem.
What is a population?
A group of individuals of the same species.
Give examples of abiotic environmental factors.
Rainfall, temperature, wind, soil, sunlight, aspect/orientation.
What is an edaphic factor?
Factors related to soil, such as soil pH and temperature.
How is light intensity measured?
Using a light meter, measured in lux.
How is wind speed measured?
Using an anemometer.
What is the primary source of energy for ecosystems?
The sun.
What is a food chain?
The way energy flows from one organism to another through feeding.
What are producers?
Organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis, such as plants.
Define primary consumer.
Organisms that feed on producers.
Define secondary consumer.
Organisms that feed on primary consumers.
What is a trophic level?
The position an organism occupies in a food chain.
What are limitations of pyramids of numbers?
They don’t consider organism size, can vary seasonally, and don’t account for migration patterns or accurate scaling.
What is competition in ecology?
The struggle between organisms for the same limited resource.
What are two types of competition
Contest competition (physical confrontation) and scramble competition (sharing of resources).
Define predation.
The act of one animal (predator) hunting, capturing, and killing another animal (prey) for food.
Give an example of a predator and its adaptation.
An owl, adapted with nocturnal hunting, silent flight, and excellent eyesight.
Give an example of prey and its adaptation.
A woodmouse, adapted with camouflage, small size, and large ears for hearing.
How do predators stabilize the community?
By controlling prey numbers, preventing overgrazing, and eliminating weaker prey.
What factors contribute to predator-prey relationships?
Availability of food, concealment, and movements of predators.
What is symbiosis?
A close relationship between two different species in which at least one benefits.
What is parasitism?
A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed.
What is mutualism?
A relationship where both organisms benefit, such as bacteria in the colon producing vitamins for the body.
Give an example of mutualism in nitrogen fixation.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in leguminous plant nodules provide nitrogen compounds to the plant, while the plant provides carbohydrates and food material for the bacteria.
What is commensalism?
A relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is unaffected.
A relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is unaffected.
The exchange of elements between living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem, ensuring that elements are reused and don’t run out.
Why is nutrient recycling important?
It prevents a long-term drain on the earth’s nutrients, even after millions of years of activity by plants and humans.
What is the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
They convert nitrogen in the air into nitrates in the soil.
How do plants contribute to the nitrogen cycle?
Plants absorb nitrates from the soil and produce plant proteins.
How do animals contribute to the nitrogen cycle?
Animals eat plant proteins and convert them into animal proteins.
What is the role of bacteria and fungi of decay in the nitrogen cycle?
They break down plant and animal proteins into ammonia when the organisms die.
What do nitrifying bacteria do in the nitrogen cycle?
They convert ammonia into nitrates in the soil.
What is the role of denitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
They convert nitrates in the soil back into nitrogen gas.
What role do microorganisms play in decomposition?
Bacteria and fungi break down organic matter in dead organisms, such as in a compost heap.
Name four factors that affect human population growth.
Famine, disease, war, and contraception.
What is pollution?
The harmful addition of substances (pollutants) to the environment by humans.
What pollutant can affect agricultural areas and how?
Slurry and fertilizers can wash into water sources, causing eutrophication and algal blooms, leading to oxygen depletion and fish deaths.
What are CFCs and how do they impact the environment?
CFCs, found in spray cans and refrigerators, deplete the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful UV radiation.
What has replaced CFCs, and why are they better?
HFCs have replaced CFCs because they break down faster and don’t reach the ozone layer.
What is conservation?
The protection and wise management of the environment or organisms.
What is a benefit of conservation?
Conservation helps maintain existing environments and preserve endangered species.
How has fishing net mesh size been improved for conservation?
Larger square-shaped mesh holes prevent baby fish from being caught, allowing fish populations to recover.
What is waste management?
The collection, processing, and disposal of human-produced waste to reduce its impact on health and the environment.
Name three waste management strategies.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Give an example of a waste management method.
Using a compost heap to recycle organic waste.
