Ecology- Chapter 1 Flashcards
The word Ecology
was coined in …. by
…..
1866- Ernst Haeckel
Who is Ernst Haeckel?
1834-1919)
German biologist,
naturalist, philosopher,
physician, professor,
marine biologist, and
artist.
How did Haeckel define Ecology?
He defined ecology as “the entire science of
the relations of the organism to the surrounding exterior
world, to which relations we can count in the broader
sense all the conditions of existence.”
T/F: Ecology is, and always has been, of direct
relevance for human societies
True
T/F: Early hunters and gatherers had to know about the
ecology of their food.
True
T/F: the early agriculture could lead to manmade
ecological disasters.
True
How did agriculture in Mesopotamia affect ecology?
Wheat cultivation started in Mesopotamia thousands of years
ago. Ecological mismanagement led to salinisation and
to the collapse of the culture.
How would native Americans use Prairie ecology?
using fire to clear the land for
agriculture, improve grazing and forage for game species, or direct
game migration. Prescribed burning is today a tool for conservation.
…. is a natural elements of prairie ecology
Fire
Which of the following is an agricultural pet?
1. Ladybugs
2. Wheat stem sawfly larvae
3. Army cutworms
4. Colorado beetle larvae
- Colorado beetle larvae
How would Spraying the forest with the herbicide glyphosate affect ecosystem?
- Reduces competition by unwanted aspen* (intention).
- Reduces food availability for
animals, such as moose. - Increases risk of forest fires.
- Affects people who live off the land.
- May be carcinogenic.
- It may last in the environment for years
What is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide preventing synthesis of some amino-
acids. Hence, it kills actively growing plants. Due to differences in phenology,
depending of the time of the year it may selectively kill broadleaf trees but not
conifers.
Who is Theophrastus?
Theophrastus (c. 371 – c. 287 BC)
* A Greek philosopher
* He described interrelationships among animals and between animals and their environment as early as the 4th century BC
name a Germán naturalist who is sometimes called “ Father of ecology”
Alexander Von Humboldt ( 1769-1859)
Who is Alexander Von Humboldt?
German naturalist, and explorer.
Understood the interconnectedness of climate,
geography, nature, and human societies.
Sometimes called the “father of ecology”. One of the first scientists to empirically observe
and describe links between vegetation and
abiotic environmental conditions
What did Humboldt discover during his trip to Mount Chimborazo?
Climbing Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador, Alexander von Humboldt
understood the importance of latitudinal AND elevational climatic
gradients for vegetation forms and organisms in general
T/f: “Without von Humboldt there would
have been no Darwin.”
True / quote by Andrea Wulf 2015
Who is the primary popularizer of ecology in the US?
Henry Chandler Cowles
Who is Henry Chandler Cowles?
1869 – 1939
American Botanist and ecological pioneer.
Which one of the following statements is correct?
1.British Ecological Society was founded in 1960s, when general interest in environmental issues increased.
2. British Ecological Society was founded in 1913, when the number of scientists dealing with ecological questions was increasing
3. British Ecological Society was founded in 1875, just 6 years after Darwin’s”Origin of species”, that served as inspiration for the interest in Ecology..
- British Ecological Society was founded in 1875, just 6 years after Darwin’s”Origin of species”, that served as inspiration for the interest in Ecology..
British Ecological Society was formed in ….
1913
Ecological Society of America is formed in ….
1915
T/F: Ecology became a household word during the rise of
environmental awareness in the 1960s and 70s
True
Name fields of ecology that are concerned with manmade environmental problems
- Environmental Science /Studies
- Anthropology
- Archeology
What are the things that ecologists do in terms of scientific methods?
- conduct field measurements
- Conduct experiments
- use computer models as tools
- Use molecular tools
What is RAPD?
Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA: can be used to investigate genetic
variation
What technique is used to study the genetic variation among Pinus
monticola and Pinus strobus?
RAPD, Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA
T/F: Male squirrels have more parasites than female squirrels because they do not distance socially
True
Among Eurasian red squirrels, what is the male behaviour related to the probability of infection in the population?
Males more territorial and aggressive,
physical contact even at low densities
T/F : Nitrogen fertilizer applied by a California farmer can be found in Sudbury area lakes, such as Kelly Lake.
True
T/F: Microplastics from environmental pollution have been found in human blood
True
T/F: Characteristics of organisms reflect their biotic and
abiotic environments. All organisms are parts of
ecosystems and the biosphere
True
Name a factor that makes organisms adapt to their environment.
Evolution
What is one example of organisms adapting to changes caused by humans?
Racoon( Proycon lotor)
