Ecology

Question 1

conservation

Answer 1

allowing the use of resources in a responsible manner

Question 2

preservation

Answer 2

setting aside areas and protecting them from human activities

Question 3

biotic and abiotic

Answer 3

living and non living components of an ecosystem

Question 4

producer/autotroph

Answer 4

photosynthetic or chemosynthetic life

Question 5

photosynthesis

Answer 5

plants convert atmospheric carbon (CO2) into complex carbohydrates (glucose C6H12O6)

Question 6

aerobic respiration

Answer 6

O2 consuming producers, consumers, and decomposers break down complex organic compounds and convert C back into CO2

Question 7

energy flow in food webs

Answer 7

only 10% of the usable energy is transferred because usable energy lost as heat (second law); not all biomass is digested and absorbed, predators expends energy to catch prey

Question 8

primary succession

Answer 8

development of communities in a lifeless are not previously inhabited by life of those in which the soil profile is totally destroyed (lava flows); begins with lichen action

Question 9

secondary succession

Answer 9

life progresses where soil remains (clear-cut forest, fire)

Question 10

mutualism

Answer 10

symbiotic relationship where both partners benefit

Question 11

commensalism

Answer 11

symbiotic relationship where one partner benefits and the other is unaffected

Question 12

parasitism

Answer 12

relationship in which one partner obtains nutrients at the expense of the host

Question 13

biome

Answer 13

large distinct terrestrial region having similar climate, soil, plants, and animals

Question 14

carrying capacity

Answer 14

the number of individuals that can be sustained in an area

Question 15

R strategist

Answer 15

(roaches) reproduce early in life, many small unprotected offspring

Question 16

K strategist

Answer 16

(kittens) reproduce later in life, few offspring, care for offspring

Question 17

positive feedback

Answer 17

when a change in some condition triggers a response that intensifies the changing condition (warmer earth - snow melts - less sunlight is reflected and more is absorbed - warmer earth)

Question 18

negative feedback

Answer 18

when a change in some condition triggers a response that counteracts the changed condition (warmer earth - more ocean evaporation - more stratus clouds - less sunlight - cooler earth)

Question 19

natural selection

Answer 19

organisms that possess favorable adaptations pass them onto the next generation

Question 20

keystone species

Answer 20

species whose role in an ecosystem are more important than others, such as a sea otter, sea stars, grizzly bears, or prairie dogs

Question 21

indicator species

Answer 21

species that serve as early warnings that an ecosystem is being damaged (ex: trout)

Question 22

characteristics of endangered species

Answer 22

small range, large territory, or live on an island

Question 23

in natural ecosystems, methods which control 50-90% of pests

Answer 23

predators, diseases, parasites

Question 24

endangered species

Answer 24

a group of organisms in danger of becoming extinct if the situation is not improved; population numbers have dropped below the critical number of organisms (ex: north spotted owl, arctic polar bear)

Question 25

invasive, alien, exotic species

Answer 25

non-native species to an area, often thrive and disrupt the ecosystem balance (ex: kudzu vine, african honeybee, fire ant)

Question 26

volcano and earthquake occurence

Answer 26

at plate boundaries (divergent = spreading, mid-ocean ridges) (convergent = trenches) (transform = sliding, San Andreas)

Question 27

forest fire types

Answer 27

types:
surface: usually burn only under growth and leaf litter on forest floor
crown: hot fires, may start on ground but eventually leap from treetop to treetop
ground: go underground, may smolder for days or weeks, difficult to detect and distinguish (ex: peat bogs)