Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Ecology > Ecology Test 1 (52-54) > Flashcards

Ecology Test 1 (52-54) Flashcards

1
Q

What is Ecology?

A

is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and the living and nonliving components of their environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what does ecology determine

A

the distribution of organisms and their abundance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are examples of abiotic factors

A

temperature, light, water, and nutrients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what are examples of biotic factors

A

organisms that are part of an individual’s environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what are abiotic factors

A

nonliving factors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what are biotic factors

A

living

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is organismal ecology

A

how an organism’s structure, physiology, and (for animals) behavior meet environmental challenges

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is population ecology

A

focuses on factors affecting population size over time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is community ecology

A

examines how interactions between species affect community structure and organization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is ecosystem ecology

A

emphasizes energy flow and chemical cycling between organisms and the environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what is landscape ecology

A

focuses on the exchanges of energy, materials, and organisms across multiple ecosystems

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is a population

A

a group of the same species living in an area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is a ecosystem

A

interaction between the community of organisms in an and their environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what is a landscape/seascape

A

connected ecosystems

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what is the biosphere

A

the global ecosystem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what is a community

A

a group of populations of different species in an area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what is global ecology

A

examines how the regional exchange of energy and materials influences the function and distribution of organisms across the biosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is climate

A

the long-term average weather of a particular locality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what is weather

A

the daily change in temperature, precipitation, wind, etc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

what are the four major physical components of climate

A

temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and wind

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

what are global climate patterns determined by

A

solar energy and Earth’s movement in space

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what does the warming effect of the sun on earth cause

A

temperature variations, circulation of air and water, and evaporation of water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

why does the intensity of solar radiation vary seasonally

A

because the Earth is tilted on its axis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what do global climate patterns cause

A

latitudinal variations in climate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

the angle at which sunlight hits Earth affects what

A

its intensity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

where is sunlight most intense

A

in the tropics (between 30 degrees north and south latitude)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

why is sunlight most intense in the tropics

A

because the sun is overhead at the equinoxes while at the poles sunlight becomes slanted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

what are the three circulation cells

A

polar cell, Ferrell cell, and Hadley cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

what three major climatic zones do the three circulation cells result in

A

tropical, temperate, and polar zones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

what is the Hadley cell

A

found in the tropics, the wind currents flow east to west towards the equator

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

what is the polar cell

A

occurs at the North and South poles-high pressure zones with little precipitation-“polar deserts”, flow east to west

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

what is the Ferrell cell

A

exist at mid-latitudes, air flows eastward and towards the poles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

what do rising air masses do

A

they release water and cause high precipitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

what do global air circulation and precipitation patterns cause

A

climate patterns

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

when water evaporates in the tropics where does that warm, wet air flow to

A

the poles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

what climate does dry, descending air create

A

arid, especially near 30 degrees north and south

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

air that flows close to Earth’s surface creates what kind of global wind patterns

A

predictable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

where do westerlies winds blow from

A

west to east in the temperate zones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

what natural formations modify the climate

A

large bodies of water and mountain ranges

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

how does climate vary

A

seasonally

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

what is seasonality

A

seasonal variations in day length, solar radiation, and temperature increase steadily toward the poles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

what is focused on in population ecology

A

the fitness of the species (reproduction)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

what causes seasonality at high latitudes

A

by the tilt of Earth’s axis of rotation and its annual passage around the sun

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

the changing angle of the sun affects what kind of environments

A

local

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

regions at 20 degrees N and 20 degrees S latitudes have wet and dry seasons due to what

A

the changing angle of the sun

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

what alters ocean currents

A

changes in wind patterns (and temperatures)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

what changes do wind patterns (and temperature) create in the ocean

A

-can cause upwelling of cold, nutrient rich water from deep ocean layers
-this causes prevailing circulation patterns of water to be produced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

do ocean currents influence the climate of nearby terrestrial environments

A

yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

what do currents flowing toward the equator carry what temp of water from the poles

A

cold

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

currents flowing away from the equator carry what temperature of water towards the poles

A

warm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

what do ocean currents create

A

circulation patterns of water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

how do ocean currents affect air

A

it cools or warms air before passing over land

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

how do large bodies of water moderate the climate of nearby land

A

during the day, air rises over warm land and draws a breeze from the cooler water; at night, the pattern is reversed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

do large bodies of water moderate the climate of nearby land

A

yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

explain a rain shadow

A

-warm air cools as it rises up a mountain and releases moisture on the windward side
-cool, dry air absorbs moisture from the land as it descends, creating a rain shadow on the leeward side

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

in the northern hemisphere, south-facing slopes receive ____ sunlight than north-facing slopes

A

more

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

as elevation increases what happens to the temperature

A

it drops

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

what does a microclimate mean

A

localized patterns in climate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

what is an example of a microclimate

A

forests trees, influence surrounding areas by casting shade, altering evaporation from the soil, or changing wind patterns

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

what is climate change

A

is a directional change to the global climate lasting three decades or more

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

what is the greenhouse effect

A

when greenhouse gas molecules absorb thermal infrared energy, their temperature rises. these gas molecules radiate infrared energy back to Earth’s surface which causes its temperature to rise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

what keeps Earth at a relatively stable temperature

A

that close to the same amount of energy that enters the Earth, is released

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

do species shift their geographic ranges in response to climate changes

A

yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

what could cause a species to have a smaller range or become extinct due of climate changes

A

species that have difficulty dispersing or face a shortage of suitable habitat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

what are biomes characterized by

A

vegetation types (terrestrial biomes) or by physical environment (aquatic biomes)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

what is a major factor in determining the locations of terrestrial biomes

A

climate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

why is climate a major factor in determining the locations of terrestrial biomes

A

because it strongly influences the distribution of plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

what are biomes affected by

A

changes in temperature and precipitation through the year

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

what are the layers of vertical layering

A

upper canopy, low-tree layer, shrub understory, ground layer of herbaceous plants, forest floor, and root layer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

what is a disturbance

A

an event such as:
-a storm, fire, or human activity that changes a community

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

what type of disturbance is optimal for diversity

A

intermediate disturbance frequency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

tropical forest

A

tropical rain forests: rainfall is relatively constant, the temperature is 25-29 degrees C, and has little variation

tropical dry forests: precipitation is highly seasonal, the temperature is 25-29 degrees C, and has little variation

tropical forests: vertically layered, competition for light is intense, animal diversity is high

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

desert biome climate

A

-found around equator
-precipitation is low and highly variable
-the temperature is variable seasonally and daily
-deserts may be hot or cold

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

desert biome plants/animals

A

-plant adaptations include heat and desiccation tolerance, water storage, and reduced leaf surface area
-many animals are nocturnal, and adaptated for water conservation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

savanna biome

A

-found around the equator
-precipitation is seasonal
-have dry seasons
-hot

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

savanna biome plants/animals

A

-scattered trees, with plant species that are fire-adpated and tolerant of seasonal drought
-grasses and forbs make up most of the ground cover
-large gerbivores are common, but insects are the dominate herbivores

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

chaparral biome

A

-occurs in midlatitude coastal regions on several continents
-precipitation is highly seasonal with rainy winters and dry summers
-summer is hot ; fall, winter, and spring are cool

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

Chaparral biome plants/animals

A

-dominated by shrubs, small trees, grasses, and herbs; many plants are adapted to fire and drought
-animals include amphibians, birds, and other reptiles, insects, browsing mammals, and a diversity of small mammals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

temperate grassland biome

A

-found on many coninents
-precipitation is highly seasonal
-winters are cold and dry; summers are hot and wet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
80
Q

temperate grasslands biome plants/animals

A

-the dominant plants, grasses and forbs, are adapted to droughts and fire
-native mammals include grazers such as bison and wild horses and small borrowers such as prairie dogs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
81
Q

northern coniferous forest biome

A

-spans northern North America and Eurasia: the largest terrestrial biome on Earth
-precipitation varies; some forests have periodic droughts and other, especially near coasts, are wet
-Winters are cold; summers may be hot (e.g., Siberia ranges from –50ºC to 20ºC)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
82
Q

northern coniferous forest biome plants/animals

A

-Conifers such as pine, spruce, fir, and hemlock dominate
-Animals include migratory and resident birds and large mammals such as moose, brown bears, and Siberian tigers
-Periodic insect outbreaks kill vast areas of forest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
83
Q

temperate broadleaf forest biome

A

-lots of rain during all seasons
-cold winter, hot and humid summer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

temperate broadleaf forest biome plants/animals

A

-has vertical layers
-The dominant plants are deciduous trees in the Northern Hemisphere and evergreen eucalyptus in Australia
In the Northern Hemisphere, many mammals hibernate and many birds migrate in the winter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
85
Q

tundra biomes

A

-found in Artic
-low precipitation
-cold

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
86
Q

tundra biome plants/animals

A

-Vegetation is herbaceous (mosses, grasses, forbs, dwarf shrubs and trees, and lichen)
-Permafrost, a permanently frozen layer of soil, restricts the growth of plant roots
-Mammals include musk oxen, caribou, reindeer, bears, wolves, and foxes; many migratory bird species nest in the summer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
87
Q

what is the photic zone

A

the narrow top layer of an ocean or lake

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
88
Q

how much light does the photic zone receive

A

has sufficient light for photosynthesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
89
Q

what is the aphotic zone

A

the part of an ocean or lake beneath the photic zone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
90
Q

how much light does the lower aphotic zone receive

A

little light

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
91
Q

what do the photic and aphotic zones make up

A

the pelagic zone (open water)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
92
Q

where is the benthic zone found

A

at the bottom of all these aquatic zones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
93
Q

what makes up the benthic zone

A

sand and organic and inorganic sediments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
94
Q

is the benthic zone shallow or deep

A

it can be either

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
95
Q

what are benthos

A

the communities of organisms that live in the benthic zone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
96
Q

what is the abyssal zone

A

is located in the aphotic zone with a depth of 2,000 to 6,000m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
97
Q

what is the thermocline

A

a temperature boundry that separates the warm upper layer from the cold deeper water in oceans and most lakes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
98
Q

what does a turnover of water do

A

it mixes oxygenated water from the surface with nutrient-rich water from the bottom

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
99
Q

what is a turnover

A

a semiannual mixing of water (lakes)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
100
Q

in marine communities, most organisms occur where

A

in the relatively shallow photic zone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
101
Q

does the aphotic zone harbor the majority of marine life or the minority

A

minority

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
102
Q

what kind of thermocline does a temperate lake have

A

seasonal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
103
Q

what kind of thermocline do tropical lowland lakes have

A

a year-round thermocline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
104
Q

what is a oligotrophic lake

A

are nutrient-poor and generally oxygen-rich

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
105
Q

what is a eutrophic lakes

A

are nutrient-rich and often depleted of oxygen in deep zones or throughout if ice covered in winter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
106
Q

what lives in the littoral zone close to the shore

A

rooted and floating aquatic plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
107
Q

what zone do phytoplankton inhabit

A

limnetic zone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
108
Q

can the limnetic zone support plants

A

no, it’s too deep to support rooted plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
109
Q

what zone do invertebrates live in

A

the benthic zone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
110
Q

what zones do fish live in

A

all zones with suffiecient oxygen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
111
Q

what can nutrient enrichment of a lake lead to

A

algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and fish kills

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
112
Q

what are zooplankton and what do they feed upon

A

are drifting heterotrophs that graze on the phytoplankton

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
113
Q

what is the most prominent physical characteristic of streams and rivers

A

the current

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
114
Q

what are the characteristics of headwaters

A

generally cold, clear, turbulent, swift, and oxygen-rich; they are often narrow and rocky

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
115
Q

what are the characteristics of downstream waters

A

-generally warmer, more turbid, and well oxygenated; they are often wide and meandering and have silty bottoms
-form rivers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
116
Q

can headwater streams be rich in phytoplankton or rooted aquatic plants

A

yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
117
Q

what is the intertidal zone

A

is periodically submerged and exposed by the tides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
118
Q

what challenges do intertidal organisms face

A

variations in temperature and salinity and by the mechanical forces of wave action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
119
Q

are oxygen and nutrient levels high or low in intertidal zones

A

high

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
120
Q

what substrates appear in the intertidal zones

A

either rocky or sandy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
121
Q

what life do the sandy zones of the intertidal zones support

A

sea grasses and algae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
122
Q

what life do the rocky zones of the intertidal zones support

A

attached marine life and algae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
123
Q

in rocky zones in intertidal zones what adaptation have animals formed

A

structural adaptations for attaching to the hard substrate

124
Q

in the sandy zones of the intertidal zone what animals live there

A

worms, clams, and crustaceans bury themselves in the sand

125
Q

what types of animals live in the intertidal zone

A

sponges, sea anemones, echinoderms, and small fishes

126
Q

what is the oceanic pelagic zone constantly mixed by

A

wind-driven oceanic currents

127
Q

are oxygen levels high or low in the oceanic pelagic zone

A

high

128
Q

what does seasonal turnover in temperate oceans renew

A

nutrients in the photic zones

129
Q

why are nutrient concentrations lower in tropical oceans

A

year-round thermal stratification (cold water sinks, warm water stays on top)

130
Q

how much of Earths surface does the oceanic pelagic zone cover

A

70%

131
Q

what are the dominate organisms of the oceanic pelagic zone

A

Phytoplankton and zooplankton

132
Q

what other animals exist in the oceanic pelagic zone

A

Fish, squid, turtles, and marine mammals also occupy the pelagic zone

133
Q

what are coral reefs formed from

A

the calcium carbonate skeletons of corals (cnidarians)

134
Q

what temperatures do coral reefs exist at

A

Shallow reef-building corals live in the photic zone in warm (about 20–30ºC), clear water; deep-sea corals live at depths of 200–1,500 m

135
Q

what requirements do coral reefs have to grow

A

high oxygen concentrations and a solid substrate for attachment

136
Q

what does algae provide coral with

A

organic molecules

137
Q

what does the marine benthic zone consist of

A

the seafloor below the surface waters of the coastal, or neritic zone and the offshore pelagic zone

138
Q

what have organisms that live in the very deep benthic (abyssal) zone adapted to

A

continuous cold and extremely high water pressure

139
Q

what is the substrate like in the marine benthic zone

A

mainly soft sediments; some areas are rocky

140
Q

what do the shallow areas of the marine benthic zone contain

A

seaweeds and filamentous algae

141
Q

what life do hydrothermal vents support in the marine benthic zone

A

unique chemoautotrophic prokaryotes, as well as echinoderms and arthropods

142
Q

what animals do neritic benthic communities include

A

invertebrates and fishes

143
Q

what is dispersal

A

is the movement of individuals or gametes away from centers of high population density or from their area of origin

144
Q

what does dispersal contribute to

A

the global distribution of organisms

145
Q

what are species transplants

A

include organisms that are intentionally or accidentally relocated from their original distribution

146
Q

what is range expansion

A

when organisms reach an area where they did not exist previously

147
Q

if a species transplant is successful what does that indicate

A

indicates that the potential range of a species is larger than its actual range

148
Q

what impact can species transplants have

A

can disrupt the communities or ecosystems to which they have been introduced

149
Q

what biotic factors affect the distribution of organisms

A

-Predation
-Herbivory
-Competition
-Mutualism
-Parasitism

150
Q

what abiotic factors affected the distribution of organisms

A

-Temperature
-Water
-Oxygen
-Salinity
-Sunlight
-Soil

151
Q

can ecological interactions cause evolutionary change and vice versa

A

yes

152
Q

how does ecological change alter evolutionary change

A

alters selective pressures in population

153
Q

how does evolutionary change alter ecological change

A

alters outcome of ecological interactions

154
Q

what is a population

A

-is a group of individuals of a single species living in the same general area
-are described by their boundaries and size.

155
Q

what is density

A

is the number of individuals per unit area or volume

156
Q

what is dispersion

A

is the pattern of spacing among individuals within the boundaries of the population

157
Q

what causes a change in population

A

-births
-deaths
-immigration
-emigration

158
Q

what increases the amount of individuals in a population

A

births and immigration

159
Q

what causes a decrease in the amount of individuals in a population

A

deaths and emigration

160
Q

what influences the spacing of individuals in a population

A

environmental and social factors

161
Q

what is the most common pattern of dispersion

A

clumped: in which individuals aggregate in patches

162
Q

what are clumped dispersions influenced by

A

-resource availability
-mating behavior and group defense

163
Q

what is uniform dispersion

A

one in which individuals are evenly distributed

164
Q

what is uniform dispersion influenced by

A

territoriality

165
Q

what is random dispersion

A

the position of each individual is independent of other individuals

166
Q

what is demography

A

is the study of these vital statistics of a population and how they change over time

167
Q

what is a life table

A

is an age-specific summary of the survival and reproductive rates within a population

168
Q

what is a survivorship curve

A

is a graphic way of representing the data in a life table

169
Q

what is type 1 of the survivorship curve

A

Low death rates during early and middle life and an increase in death rates among older age groups

170
Q

what is type 2 of the survivor ship curve

A

A constant death rate over the organism’s life span

171
Q

what is type 3 of the survivorship curve

A

High death rates for the young and a lower death rate for survivors

172
Q

can organisms be intermediate between the survivorship types

A

yes

173
Q

are males or females looked at when studying sexually reproducing species

A

females, because they are the only ones that produce offspring

174
Q

if immigration and emigration are ignored, the change in population size equals what

A

births minus deaths

175
Q

the per capita (per individual) change in population size represents what

A

the contribution that an average member of the population makes to the population size during the time interval

176
Q

what is exponential population growth

A

is population increase under idealized conditions

177
Q

what happens to populations that are under idealized conditions

A

may increase in size by a constant proportion at each instant

178
Q

exponential population growth results in what shape of curve

A

a J shaped curve

179
Q

what are the results of growth in an exponential growing population

A

The rate of increase is constant, but the population accumulates more new individuals per unit time when it is large than when it is small

180
Q

what type of growth characterizes some rebounding populations

A

the J-shaped curve of exponential growth

181
Q

the logistic model of population growth produces what shape

A

sigmoid (S-shaped) curve

182
Q

new individuals are added to the population most rapidly at what population size

A

intermediate

183
Q

what is population chaos

A

when the population looses all equilibrium and becomes unstable

184
Q

what do scientists use the logistic model to predict

A

-rates of population recovery,
-estimate sustainable harvest rates
-estimate the population size below which leads to extinct

185
Q

An organism’s life history comprises the traits that affect its schedule of what

A

reproduction and survival

186
Q

life history traits are outcomes reflected in what of an organism

A

development, physiology, and behavior

187
Q

An organism’s life history entails what three key components

A

-The age at first reproduction (maturity)
-How often the organism reproduces
-How many offspring are produced per reproductive episode

188
Q

what are semelparity species

A

species that reproduce once and die

189
Q

what are iteroparity species

A

produce offspring repeatedly

190
Q

species that produce one or few offspring may do what better than species that produce many offspring

A

provide for their young

191
Q

what is r-selection

A

-is selection for life history traits that maximize reproductive success at low density with little competition for resources
- r = rate of population increase

192
Q

what is k-selection

A

-is selection for life history traits that are advantageous at high population densities; resources are low, and competition is strong
-k = carrying capacity

193
Q

what does r-selection and k-selection represent

A

two extremes in a range of actual life histories.

194
Q

in density-independent populations what is the relationship between birth rate and death rate

A

they do not change with population density

195
Q

in density-dependent populations what is the relationship between birth and death rates

A

fall and increase with rising population density

196
Q

only desnity-dependent factors can regulate population size

A

density-independent can cause a decrease in population but doesn’t regulate

197
Q

factors that cause a change in density-dependant population

A

-disease
-medical care
-food availability

198
Q

factors that cause a change density-independent population

A
199
Q

what is an example of negative feedback that regulates population growth

A

density-dependent birth and death rates

200
Q

what factors affect density-dependent birth and death rates

A

-competition for resources
-territoriality
-disease
-predation
-intrinsic factors
-toxic wastes

201
Q

The study of population dynamics focuses on complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors that cause what

A

variation in population size

202
Q

what factors can affect population size of large mammals over time

A

abiotic and biotic

203
Q

when a population becomes crowded and resource competition increases, what increases

A

emigration

204
Q

what are metapopulations

A

are groups of populations linked by immigration and emigration

205
Q

what do local populations in a metapopulation occupy

A

patches of suitable habitat surrounded by unsuitable habitat

206
Q

what can happen to local populations lost through extinctions

A

they can be recolonized by immigration from other patches

207
Q

to maintain population stability what are the two configurations that the population can exist in

A

-Zero population growth = High birth rate - High death rate
-Zero population growth =Low birth rate - Low death rate

208
Q

what is the demographic transition

A

is the move from the first state to the second state

209
Q

can a population grow indefinity

A

no

210
Q

what is age structure

A

is the relative number of individuals of each age in a population

211
Q

what can age-structure diagrams (pyramids) can help predict what

A

population’s growth trends

212
Q

what is the ecological footprint concept

A

summarizes the aggregate land and water area needed to sustain a person, city, or nation

213
Q

what influences carrying capacity

A

food, space, nonrenewable resources, or buildup of wastes

214
Q

can humans regulate population growth through social changes

A

yes

215
Q

what happens when the density of a population is low

A

it will increase until the density reaches equilibrium

216
Q

what happens when the density is high

A

the population shrinks until the density reaches equilibrium

217
Q

what is a biological community

A

is an assemblage of populations of various species living close enough for potential interaction

218
Q

what are interspecific interactions

A

Ecologists call relationships between species in a community

219
Q

what are examples of interspecific interactions

A

competition, predation, herbivory, parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism

220
Q

how can the effects of interspecific interactions be summarized

A

-positive (+)
-negative (-)
-no effect (0)

221
Q

when does competition occur

A

when species compete for a resource that limits survival and reproduction

222
Q

strong competition can lead to what

A

competitive exclusion (local elimination of a competing species)

223
Q

can two species competing for the same limiting resources coexist permanently in the same place

A

no

224
Q

what is an ecological niche

A

is the sum of an organism’s use of biotic and abiotic resources; it can be thought of as an organism’s ecological role

225
Q

can ecologically similar species coexist in a community if there are one or more significant differences in their niches

A

yes

226
Q

what is resource partitioning

A

is differentiation of ecological niches, enabling similar species to coexist in a community.

227
Q

what is a species’ fundamental niche

A

is the niche potentially occupied by that species

228
Q

what is a species’ realized niche

A

is the niche actually occupied by that species

229
Q

can a species’ fundamental niche differ from its realize niche

A

yes

230
Q

how can species partition their niche

A

-time
-space

231
Q

what is character displacement

A

is a tendency for characteristics to be more divergent in sympatric populations of two species than in allopatric populations of the same two species

232
Q

what is a allopatric population

A

species that are geographically separated from each other

233
Q

what is a sympatric population

A

species that are in the same geographic area

234
Q

what is an example of character displacement

A

is variation in beak size between populations of two species of Galápagos finches

235
Q

what is exploitation

A

refers to any positive or negative interaction in which one species benefits by feeding on the other species

236
Q

what interactions include predation, herbivory, and parasitism

A

exploitation

237
Q

what is predation

A

(positive or negative interaction) refers to an interaction in which one species, the predator, kills and eats the other, the prey

238
Q

what types of adaptations do predators have that enable them to find, identify, catch, and subdue their prey

A

-morphological and physiological adaptations
Ex. claws, fangs, or poison

239
Q

what adaptations do prey display to avoid being eaten

A

-behavioral defenses
-morphological and physiological defense adaptations

240
Q

what behavioral defenses do prey have

A

include hiding, fleeing, and forming herds or schools

241
Q

what are examples of defensive adaptations that prey have

A

-Cryptic coloration
-Mechanical defense
-Müllerian mimicry
-Batesian mimicry
-Chemical defense
-Aposematic coloration

242
Q

what is aposematic coloration

A

warning coloration

243
Q

what defenses do animals with aposematic coloration

A

chemical defenses

244
Q

what is cryptic coloration

A

camouflage

245
Q

what is Batesian mimicry

A

a palatable or harmless species mimics an unpalatable or harmful model

246
Q

what is Müllerian mimicry

A

two unpalatable species mimic each other

247
Q

what has evolved in many predators to enable them to approach prey

A

mimicry

248
Q

what is an example of mimicry

A

the mimic octopus can take on the appearance and movement of more than a dozen marine animals

249
Q

what is herbivory

A

(positive or negative interaction) refers to an interaction in which an herbivore eats parts of a plant or alga

250
Q

what specialized adaptations do herbivores (and plants) have

A

-many herbivores have specialized teeth or digestive systems for processing vegetation
-Plants may produce toxic or distasteful chemicals or mechanical defenses, such as spines or thorn

251
Q

what is parasitism

A

(+/– interaction), one organism, the parasite, derives nourishment from another organism, its host, which is harmed in the process

252
Q

what are endoparasites

A

Parasites that live within the body of their host

253
Q

what are ectoparasites

A

Parasites that live on the external surface of a host

254
Q

do some parasites change that would increase the likelihood that the parasite will be transmitted to the next host

A

change the behavior of the host

255
Q

how can parasites affect the hosts’ population

A

the survival, reproduction, and density of their host population, directly or indirectly

256
Q

what are positive interactions

A

where at least one species benefits and neither is harmed

257
Q

what are examples of positive interactions

A

Mutualism (+/+) and commensalism (+/0) are positive interactions

258
Q

what type of interactions heavily influences ecological communities

A

positive interactions

259
Q

what is mutualism

A

(+/+ interaction) is a common interspecific interaction that benefits both species

260
Q

what is the cost to mutualism

A

both species incur costs, but the benefits to each partner exceed the costs

261
Q

in mutualism, each species depends on the other for what

A

their survival and reproduction; in others, both species can survive alone

262
Q

what is commensalism

A

(+/0 interaction) is another common interaction in which one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped

263
Q

what is an example of commensalism

A

shade-tolerant wildflowers depend on the shade provided by forest trees, but the trees are not affected by the wildflowers

264
Q

can interactions that are typically commensal become, at times, mutualistic

A

yes

265
Q

what is an example of where a commensal relationship becomes mutualistic

A

-cattle egrets typically benefit from the insects flushed out of the grass by bison and have no effect on the bison
-At times, they may remove and eat ectoparasites from the bison’s skin, making the interaction mutualistic

266
Q

what is species diversity of a community

A

is the variety of organisms that make up the community

267
Q

what are the two components of species diversity

A

-species richness
-relative abundance

268
Q

what is species richness

A

is the number of different species in the community

269
Q

what is relative abundance

A

is the proportion each species represents of all individuals in the community

270
Q

can two communities can have the same species richness but a different relative abundance

A

yes

271
Q

what is a food web

A

is a group of food chains linked together forming complex trophic interactions

272
Q

can a species play a role at more than one trophic level

A

yes

273
Q

how can food webs be simplified

A

-grouping species with similar trophic relationships into broad functional groups
-isolating a portion of a community that interacts very little with the rest of the community

274
Q

what does the energetic hypothesis suggest

A

that length is limited by inefficient energy transfer

275
Q

how much energy is stored in organic matter at each trophic level that is then converted to organic matter at the next trophic level

A

10%

276
Q

what is an example of an energetic hypothesis

A

a producer level consisting of 100 kg of plant material can support about 10 kg of herbivore biomass and 1 kg of carnivore biomass

277
Q

how can the energetic hypothesis be tested

A

manipulating productivity

278
Q

because carnivores tend to be larger at higher trophic levels, how does this affect the food chain length

A

it can limit it

279
Q

are large carnivores able to obtain enough food from small prey efficiently enough to meet their metabolic needs

A

no

280
Q

what are dominate species

A

are those that are most abundant or have the highest biomass

281
Q

what are the two hypotheses on how dominant species are dominant

A

-dominant species are most competitive in exploiting resources
-they are most successful at avoiding predators or disease

282
Q

what can happen when an invasive species is introduced to a new environment

A

may become dominant because they lack natural predators or parasites

283
Q

how can you study the impact of species

A

to remove it from the community

284
Q

what is a keystone species

A

exert strong control on a community by their ecological roles, or niches

285
Q

are keystone species abundant in a community like dominant species are

A

no

286
Q

how do keystone predators effect the ecosystem

A

maintain ecosystem equilibrium

287
Q

what feeding type dominates the food web

A

predation

288
Q

how does a keystone species population size compare to their impact

A

their population size is small and their effect is large

289
Q

what changes do ecosystem engineers (foundation species)

A

cause physical changes in the environment that affect community structure

290
Q

what is bottom-up control

A

Nutrient supply or the availability of food at lower trophic levels limits the abundance of organisms at higher trophic levels.

291
Q

what is top-down control

A

The abundance of organisms at higher trophic levels controls the abundance of organisms at lower trophic levels.

292
Q

The bottom-up model of community organization proposes what influence

A

a unidirectional influence from lower to higher trophic levels

293
Q

The top-down model, also called the trophic cascade model proposes what

A

that control comes from the trophic level above

294
Q

in the top-down model what limits what

A

predators limit herbivores, herbivores limit plants, and plants limit nutrient levels

295
Q

what is bio manipulation

A

can help restore polluted communities

296
Q

what is biomass

A

total mass of all living organisms in a system

297
Q

why do oceans and large lakes tend to moderate the climate of nearby land

A

the high specific heat of water

298
Q

how do forests affect the climate

A

-forests reduce Earth’s surface temperature
-they increase precipitation rates

299
Q

what is a biome

A

major life zones characterized by vegetation type in terrestrial biomes

300
Q

what does layering of vegetation provide animals with

A

many different habitats

301
Q

what is a disturbance to a biome

A

storm, fire, or human activity that changes a community

302
Q

what makes up the largest marine biome

A

oceans

303
Q

what provides most the planet’s rainfall

A

water evaporated from oceans

304
Q

what supplies most of the planet’s oxygen

A

marine algae and photosynthetic bacteria

305
Q

what are examples of biotic limitations

A

-predation and herbivory
-presence or absence of pollinators
-food resources
-parasites
-pathogens
-competing organisms

Ecology (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions