Ecology Flashcards
1
Q
Species
A
- group of organisms that can interbreed to produce viable, fertile offspring
2
Q
Population
A
- group of organisms of the same species that lives in the same area at the same time
3
Q
Community
A
- group of populations living together and interacting with each other
4
Q
Ecosystem
A
- community and abiotic environment
5
Q
Autotrophs
A
- synthesize organic molecules from simple inorganic substances
- producers
- algae, trees
6
Q
Heterotrophs
A
- consumers
- cannot synthesize own organic molecules, so they eat heterotrophs or autotrophs
7
Q
Detrivores
A
organisms eat non-living organic matter
- earthworms, dung beetles
8
Q
Saprotrophs
A
- live on or in non-living organic matter
- secrete digestive enzymes and absorb the products
- aka decomposers
9
Q
Outline the steps in the random sampling technique
A
- Choose a species that is well identifiable
- Choose a well defined area where the species occurs
- Calculate and measure the surface area of the area
- Place the quadrat on the ground, make sure you have determined the surface area of the quadrat. Count the number of times the designated species is in the quadrat
- Once completed, spin a pencil, and walk that direction, placing the next quadrat.
- Repeat this as many times as possible within a period of time
- Multiply the plants per meter by the surface area to determine the population density
10
Q
Outline the steps in the systematic sampling technique
A
- determine length of transect- line traced from one environment to another
- identify two environments
- place quadrat every meter or at specific intervals along transect line
- count number of organisms
- used to find relationship between abiotic factors and population density, such as levels of water, humidity, and light
11
Q
Biomass
A
Biomass is the total mass of a group of organisms – consisting of the carbon compounds contained in the cells and tissues
