Ecology Flashcards
Compare and contrast biotic and abiotic features. Include an example for each.
Biotic- living organisms - animals, plants
Abiotic- non-living organisms - rocks, water, dirt
Autotrophs are also known as ________ and obtain their energy directly from the ___________________. They are at the ___________ of a food chain or energy pyramid. Heterotrophs are also known as ____________ and obtain their energy from ____________ or other _____________. They include __________ that eat ______, _____________ that eat plants and _____________ that eat both. _____________ break down dead and decaying matter.
Producers, environment/sun, bottom, consumers, producers/autotrophs, heterotrophs/consumers, carnivores, meat, herbivores, plants, omnivores, decomposers
Draw an energy pyramid with 4 tropic levels and number the levels bottom-up. (Bottom level is 1)
4- third consumers (large birds)
3- secondary consumers (small birds)
2- primary consumers/herbivores (bugs)
1- producers/autotrophs (grass)
Which level on the energy pyramid contains the primary consumers?
Second level
Which level on the energy pyramid contains the autotrophs?
Level 1
Which way does the energy flow on the energy pyramid? How would the biomass pyramid look different?
The energy flow is up. The biomass pyramid doesn’t look different
One of the most important abiotic factors that affects relationships in a community is ________?
Sun/energy
Two factors that increase population?
Immigration, birth
What two factors decrease population?
emigration, death
What is growth rate and carrying capacity?
Growth Rate- rate at which population grows.
Carrying Capacity- max amount of organisms and ecosystem can sustain
Compare and contrast open and closed populations. Include an example for each.
Closed Population- lakes, islands
Open Population- oceans, continents
What is competition? Give an example
2 species compete for a resource
Example
humans
& Salmon
bears
what type of relationship involves two organisms that both get benefited? Give an example
Mutualism
Example
Human
&
Dog
What is this an example of? A flea lives on a dog, feeding on its blood. It makes the dog itch. Explain what it is?
Parasitism
1 organism benefits the other is harmed
What is predation? Give an example
1 organism kills another for food
predator and prey
Example
wolves eat caribou
What type of relationship is where one organism benefits and the other isn’t affected? Give an example
commensalism
Example
tortuous
&
hawk
What are invasive species and how do they impact the ecosystem?
non-native species that takes over
they mostly impact the ecosystem negatively
What is primary and secondary succession what would cause these?
Primary- no community before (volcano, glacier)
Secondary- community before got destroyed (forest fires, flood, logging)
List the following terms in order of when they first appear. Seral Stages, Climax Community, Pioneer Community. Describe each
Pioneer- 1st organism
Seral- In between developing
Climax- at carrying capacity, final stable community
Which nutrient cycle…….
does not have a gaseous phase?
are bacteria important for processes other than decomp?
phosphorous
nitrogen
list and describe the different processes of the water cycle
Evaporation- water from lakes, oceans, etc.. goes back into atmosphere
Transpiration- water from plants goes back into atmosphere
Condensation- making of clouds
Precipitation- rain, snow, sleet, etc…
where is the largest reservoir of nitrogen located?
atmosphere in the form of N2 gas
how do plants acquire nitrogen?
through their roots
how do animals acquire their usable nitrogen?
they eat it from plants
Put the following in order from least to most complex- organism, ecosystem, population, biosphere, community. Know the difference between them
Organism- 1 frog Population- 2+ frogs Community- population of frogs, bugs, flowers Ecosystem- biotic, abiotic Biosphere- Earth
