Ecology study guide_CP2_2023_KEY Flashcards
What is ecology?
Study of the interactions among organisms, and between organisms and their environment
Define “biotic” and “abiotic” and give an example of each.
Biotic - Living - Trees, algae, bugs, birds, lions
Abiotic - Nonliving - Temperature, rocks, sunlight, wind
List the levels of ecological organization from smallest to largest.
Individual → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biome → Biosphere
The main source of energy on earth is the …
sun
Explain the difference between a producer and a consumer.
Producers capture and use energy from the sun
Consumers rely on others for energy
Another name for a producer is…
autotroph
Another name for a consumer is…
heterotroph
List 5 different categories (examples) of consumers.
Herbivore, Carnivore, Omnivore, Detritivore, Decomposer
Explain the difference between a food chain and food web.
A food chain shows the transfer of energy between organisms in a one way path. A food web is much more complex as it connects all food chains together
Each step in a food chain or food web is called a …
trophic level
In ecological pyramids there is ____ energy at the bottom than at the top.
more
What is the “law of conservation of matter” and what is the environmental consequence of this law?
Atoms cannot be created or destroyed
Environmental consequence: there is no such thing as “throwing something away”.
The same carbon atoms are used repeatedly on earth. (Remember - they cannot be created or destroyed). They form a …
cycle
What are three main biological processes involved in the carbon cycle? (remember bio = life, so “biological” is a process that happens in something living).
Photosynthesis, respiration, & decomposition
Explain what happens to the “balanced carbon cycle” when humans burn fossil fuels.
When humans burn fossil fuels, it releases a HUGE amount of carbon (CO2) into the atmosphere over a very SHORT time period. Increased CO2 in atmosphere causes climate change.
Which carbon molecule is responsible for causing climate change?
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Which two factors will always cause populations to increase? Which two cause decrease?
Increase - Birth and Immigration
Decrease - Death and Emigration
Define carrying capacity.
The largest number of organisms a given environment can support
What is a limiting factor? Give 4 examples of limiting factors.
Limiting factors determine the carrying capacity of an ecosystem
Density dependent limiting factors - competition, predation/herbivory, parasitism & disease, stress from overcrowding
Density independent limiting factors - climate change, natural disasters, human impacts (CHIPO)
What is competition? Give an example.
organisms attempt to use a resource in the same place at the same time
Give an example to explain predation. Identify the predator and the prey.
A lion eats a gazelle. The lion is the predator and the gazelle is the prey.
List and describe the 3 types of symbiosis and give an example of each
Symbiosis Name
Description
Example
Mutualism
Both species benefit (+,+)
Flower & Bee
Commensalism
One species benefits, other is unaffected (+,0)
Whale & Barnacles
Parasitism
One species benefits, other is harmed (+,-)
Tick & Human
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the total diversity of life in the biosphere.
Why should we value biodiversity? What does it provide for us?
Biodiversity provides medicine and agriculture, and ecosystem goods and services
What are the 5 major threats to biodiversity? Describe/explain each one.
Threat to Biodiversity
Description
Climate Change
Organisms are adapted to their environment and have specific tolerance ranges. If conditions change beyond tolerance organisms face extinction.
Habitat Destruction
Natural habitats being eliminated for agriculture or urban development
Introduced Species
Organisms introduced to new habitats can become invasive. Invasive species can outcompete native plants and threaten ecosystems.
Pollution
Plastics, pesticides, carbon dioxide, acid rain and other chemicals all threaten wildlife
Overconsumption
Overconsumption of wildlife products. Hunting can push species into extinction.
