Ecology Lab

Question 1

Primary productivity

Answer 1

the amount of organic matter (or fixation of energy) [ plant material] produced from solar energy in a given area for a given period of time by autotrophs

Question 2

species diversity (but sheldon called this biodiversity )

Answer 2

total #number of different species of plants & animals present in an area

Question 3

biodiversity

Answer 3

variety of different species (Species diversity), genetic variability among individuals within each species (genetic diversity), variety of ecosystems (ecological diversity) and function such as energy flow and matter cycling for survival of species and biological communities (functional diversity).

Question 4

species abudance

Answer 4

Species abundance is the number of individuals per species, and relative abundance refers to the evenness of distribution of individuals among species in a community. Two communities may be equally rich in species but differ in relative abundance. For example, each community may contain 5 species and 300 individuals, but in one community all species are equally common (e.g., 60 individuals of each species), while in the second community one species significantly outnumbers the other four.

Question 5

precipitation

Answer 5

process by which atmospheric moisture falls onto a land or water surface as rain, snow, hail, or other forms of moisture.

Question 6

geology

Answer 6

study of origin, history, structure of earth

Question 7

topography

Answer 7

physical configuration or features of region

Question 8

weather

Answer 8

short term changes in temperature, wind, humidity, rain, clouds etc at given place and time

Question 9

climate

Answer 9

physical properties of large area (preciptitation /temperature) as measured over long period of time. affected by temp and precip. These 2 factors are influenced by latitude topography elevation ocean

Question 10

bedrock

Answer 10

the solid rock that lies under the surface of the ground

Question 11

Why is monitoring restoration over time important?

Answer 11

In order to understand if the restoration improvements to habitats are accomplishing the initial goals set forth, such as increasing the diversity or number of species, it is important to first get a baseline and monitor species over time. Then you will understand by comparison of the data initially acquired, if you meeting your restoration goals or if adjusts need to be made.

Question 12

serpentine

Answer 12

Low levels of nitrogen, high levels of metals (nickel and chromium). The Franciscan Manzanita was successfully transported away from the Doyle drive construction on January, 2010 to a similar serpentine soil

Question 13

cellular respiration

Answer 13

set metabolic reactions and processes take place cell of organism to convert biochemcial energy from nutrients into ATP (adeosine triphoshate)

Question 14

biomass

Answer 14

dry weight of all organic matter

Question 15

habitat

Answer 15

place where organism lives

Question 16

mesocarnivores

Answer 16

A mesocarnivore is an animal whose diet consists of 50–70% meat with the balance consisting of non-vertebrate foods which may include fungi, fruits, and other plant material. The Presidio is an important local habitat for the stripped skunk and raccoon. Other mesocarnivores that frequent the Presidio, but whose ranges are larger, are the coyote and most likely, feral cats.
The Presidio is an important local habitat for the stripped skunk and raccoon. Other mesocarnivores that frequent the Presidio, but whose ranges are larger, are the coyote and most likely, feral cats.

Question 17

riparian

Answer 17

of or relating to wetlands adjacent to rivers and streams.

Question 18

watershed

Answer 18

watershed (or drainage basin): land area that delivers water, sediment, and dissolved substances via small streams to a major stream (river).

Question 19

daylighting

Answer 19

A section of creek once buried in a storm drain is now opened up to the sun. flow from the spring was enclosed in a pipe, made of concrete and metal. convert the pipe back to an open stream, a process known as daylighting. This would return the spring run to a more natural state and enhance the habitat, improving the potential for long term recovery of the species.

Question 20

tributaries

Answer 20

river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake

Question 21

restoration

Answer 21

process of creating habitat for wildlife in areas that have been degraded (Presidio).

Question 22

what are the 6 conservation strategies, what is the purpose of each, what is ADV and DISadv of each

Answer 22

conservation Reserves. 
Managing Non-Reserved Land. 
Restoration. 
Captive Breeding
wildlife protection Laws. . 
Education 
(RMR  CLE a.r)

Question 23

Overexploitation

Answer 23

means harvesting species from the wild at rates faster than natural populations can recover

Question 24

majority are = benthic benthonic

some nektonic

Answer 24

benthic - living on the bottom, living attached to the bottom/sessile
benthonic - burrowing into the bottom sediment or rock). nektonic - Several species (small fish, shrimp) are nektonic.