Ecology Flashcards
1
Q
Biotic potential: definition
A
Maximum rate at which a population can grow (given ideal conditions)
2
Q
Biotic potential: factors
A
- Age at which reproduction begins
- Life span during which reproduction is possible
- Number of reproductive periods in a lifetime
- Number of offspring possible each time
3
Q
R-strategists
A
- Reproduce rapidly when environment is uncrowded
- E.g., insects
- Many small young
- Little to no parenting
- Rapid maturation
- Reproduce once
4
Q
K-strategists
A
- Maximize population size near carrying capacity
- E.g., mammals
- Few large young
- Intensive parenting
- Slow maturation
- Reproduce many times
5
Q
Competitive exclusion principle
A
Developed by G.F. Gause. Two species cannot coexist in a community if they occupy the same niche. Either one species goes extinct, or it evolves to occupy another niche
6
Q
3 passive defenses of animals
A
- Aposematic colouration: bright colours warn of poison
- Batesian mimicry: harmless animal copies colour of poisonous one
- Mulleran mimicry: multiple poisonous species look similar
7
Q
Primary ecological succession
A
- Rebuilding begins in a lifeless area where soil has been removed
- First to inhabit are lichen
- Soil develops as rocks weather and organic matter accumulates from decomposed remains of pioneer organisms
- Once soil is present, pioneer organisms are overrun
8
Q
Climax community
A
Final stable community once ecological succession is complete
9
Q
Secondary ecological succession
A
Rebuilding of an ecosystem where soil is still intact
10
Q
Marine biome
A
- Largest
- Most stable due to high heat capacity of water
- Provides most of food and oxygen
- Open oceans are nutrient poor compared to land
11
Q
Tropical rain forest
A
- Near equator
- Abundant rain, stable temperatures, high humidity
- Only 4% of area, but 20% of carbon fixation
- Most diverse
- Tall trees that form dense canopy. Trees covered with epiphytes
- Rapidly declining due to human impact
12
Q
Desert
A
- Most extreme temperature fluctuations
13
Q
Temperate grasslands
A
- In both temperate and tropical regions
- Low rainfall, inhospital for forests
- Bison, antelope, wildebeest, gazelle, prairie dogs
14
Q
Temperate deciduous forest/Boreal forest
A
- Trees lose leaves in winter
- South of Taiga, more species
- Vertical stratifigation
- Rich soil
- Squirrels, deer, foxes, bears
15
Q
Conifer forest/Taiga
A
- Northern regions, cold winters
- Largest terrestrial biome
- Moose, lynx, elk, wolverines, porcupines
