ecology test Flashcards

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1
Q

what is ecology?

A

scientific study of the interactions between the organisms and the environment

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2
Q

where are nutrients recycled?

A

in ecosystems
- energy flows through ecosystems (one-direction)

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3
Q

what is a community?

A

a group of populations of different species in an area

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4
Q

what is a population?

A

a group of individuals of the same species living in an area

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5
Q

what are the 4 major abiotic components of climate?

A
  • temperature
  • sunlight
  • precipitation
  • wind
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6
Q

what is climate affected by?

A

seasonality (earths rotation and tilt) ; large bodies of water, mountains

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7
Q

biomes

A

major life zones characterized by vegetation type (terrestrial biomes) or physical environment (aquatic biome)

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8
Q

climate is important in determining _____?

A

why terrestrial biomes are found in a certain area

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9
Q

what are terrestrial biomes characterized by?___

A

distribution, precipitation, temperature, plants, animals

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10
Q

detritivores/decomposers

A

consumers that derive their energy from detritue, non-living organic matter

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11
Q

what are examples of important detritivores?

A

prokaryotes and fungi

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12
Q

_______ connects all trophic levels?

A

decomposition

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13
Q

what is vertical layering?

A

important feature of terrestrial biomes and in a forest it might consist of an upper canopy, low tree layer, shrub understory, ground layer of herbaceous plants, forest floor, and root layer

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14
Q

dominant species

A

those that are most abundant or have the highest biomass
- most in the area

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15
Q

keystone species

A

this species keeps the ecosystem thriving, if this species is removed the ecosystem would fall apart

  • normally a predator –> increased diversity in a community by holding down prey populations
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16
Q

ecological succession

A

how an ecosystem has developed overtime

17
Q

primary succession

A

no soil exists after disturbance

18
Q

secondary succession

A

secondary succession

19
Q

climax community

A

mature, stable community that is the final stage of ecological succession

20
Q

what is the first stae of succession called?

A

pioneer stage

21
Q

what are the biotic factors that affect the distribution of organisms:

A
  • predation
  • parasitism
  • herbivory
    = sea urchins can limit the distribution of seaweeds
  • competition
  • behavior (migration, mating)
22
Q

what are the abiotic factors that affect the distribution of organisms :

A
  • temperature
  • water
  • sunlight (light intensity and wavelength affect photosynthesis)
  • salinity
  • wind
  • rocks and soil (physical structure, pH, mineral composition)
23
Q

graph diff

A

logistic = reality
exponential = ideal ; not what happens in real life

24
Q

density-dependent

A

birth rates fall and death rates rise with population density

25
Q

niche?

A

an organism’s ecological role (its use of biotic and abiotic factors)

26
Q
A