Ecology and the Biosphere

Question 1

Conspecifics

Answer 1

Individuals that are members of the same species

Question 2

Heterospecifics

Answer 2

Individuals that are members of different species

Question 3

Biotic

Answer 3

Living components of the environment

Question 4

Abiotic

Answer 4

Nonliving components of the environment

Question 5

Biogeography

Answer 5

Study of distribution of living organisms across geographic space

Question 6

Endemic species

Answer 6

Found in one very specific area and usually limited in size

Question 7

When is maximum diversification attained on volcanoes

Answer 7

Intermediate ages

Question 8

Human impact has led to

Answer 8

-Overfishing
-Destruction of habitats for development, agriculture, wood, etc.
-Pollution
-Extermination of native plant and animal populations
-Excessive release of greenhouse gases through the burning of fossil fuels

Question 9

Pelagic realm

Answer 9

Open ocean

Question 10

Benthic realm

Answer 10

Deep sea

Question 11

What are the three zones of the pelagic realm

Answer 11

-Photic zone
-Aphotic zone
-Abyssal zone

Question 12

Terrestrial biomes

Answer 12

-Arctic tundra: permafrost, little precipitation, low-growing plants and lichens

-Grasslands: temperate/prarie and tropical/savannah

-Forests: tropical, temperate, deciduous, coniferous (boreal/taiga): cold, dry winters and short, cool, wet summers, chaparral: shrubs

-Deserts: semi-arid, hot/dry, coastal, cold

Question 13

Reasons for global variation in the climate

Answer 13

-Uneven heating of the earth’s surface by the sun
-Rotation of the earth on its axis (Equator spins faster than the regions north and south of it, prevailing winds that distribute heat and moisture over surface and drive ocean currents)
-Properties of air, water, and land (convection transfers energy and water)

Question 14

El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

Answer 14

-Occurs every 2 – 7 years
-When a high-pressure weather system that is normally stable over the eastern Pacific Ocean breaks down, destroying the pattern of westward-blowing trade winds.
-Have been increasing in frequency and strength

Question 15

Largest threats to coral reefs

Answer 15

-Increased sea temperature
-Decreased pH
-Increased disease (related to increased temperature, human activity)
-Direct human contact (boat strikes, improper use by divers and snorkelers, sunscreen)
-Coastal development (run off, increased nutrients)

Question 16

Solar Intensity

Answer 16

Some debate about whether we are in a “grand minimum” - but one thing is clear, solar intensity has decreased in recent years.

Question 17

Organismal Ecology

Answer 17

Interested in adaptations that allow for organisms to live in different habitats.

Question 18

What are the implications of global climate change?

Answer 18

CO2 AND other greenhouse gases released by humans are contributing to:

-Global warming of atmosphere AND Sea
-Increased number and intensity of hurricanes
-Sea Surface Level Rise
-Ocean Acidification

Question 19

Milankovitch Cycles

Answer 19

Eccentricity- The shape of the Earth’s orbit

Precession- The direction of the Earth’s axis of rotation

Obliquity- The angle Earth’s axis is tilted with respect to the Earth’s orbital plane, this has the greatest effect

Question 20

What does going down in obliquity/tilt mean?

Answer 20

Decreased tilt means decreased insolation and decreased global temps, which should be occurring right now but isn’t