Ecology Unit (summer)

Question 1

Biodiversity

Answer 1

the variety of life in all its forms, levels, and combinations

Question 2

Ecosystem Diversity

Answer 2

The variety of the combination of species living together in communities

Question 3

Species Diversity

Answer 3

The many species on the evolutionary tree of life

Question 4

Genetic diversity within species

Answer 4

there is a variation in the gene pool of each species

Question 5

Biodiversity can be measure by:

Answer 5

1) Richness - the number of species present

2) Evening- having a similar abundance of each species present

Question 6

Anthropogenic species extinction

Answer 6

Extinction due to human activities

Question 7

Causes of anthropogenic species extinction

Answer 7

1) Overharvesting: species are taken at a faster rate than they can reproduce

2) Habitat Destruction: natural habitats destroyed for cities, roads, agriculture

3) Invasive Species: when alien species are introduced into ecosystem (bringing disease, predation, competition for resources)

4) Pollution:

5) Global Climate Change: Some species will be unable to adapt fast enough to keep up with the changing environmental conditions

Question 8

Causes of ecosystem loss

Answer 8

1) land-use change for agricultural expansion

2) Urbanization

3) Overexploitation

4) Mining and smelting

5) Building of dams

6) Leaching of fertilizers

7) Climate change

Question 9

Variables that can be monitored:

Answer 9

• population size of a species
• range of a species
• diversity of species in an ecosystem
• richness and evenness of biodiversity in an ecosystem
• area occupied by an ecosystem
• extent of degradation of an ecosystem
• number of threatened species in a taxonomic group
• genetic diversity within a species

Question 10

The Simpsons Reciprocal Index Measurement

Answer 10

takes into account both richness and evenness and can be used to calculate biodiversity. the greater the biodiversity, the greater the value of D

Question 11

Simpson reciprocal index equation

Answer 11

d = n(n-1)/the sum of all species * the number of organisms of a single species

Question 12

Management natural reserves

Answer 12

• removal of alien species
• reintroduction of species that have become locally extinct
• prevention of poaching
• supplementary feeding by animals
• control of access by humans

Question 13

Rewilding

Answer 13

• very degraded ecosystems are returned to as natural a state as possible in order for balance to be maintained by natural processes rather than human intervention

Question 14

Mesocosm

Answer 14

small scale, artificially created ecosystem used to study ecological processes

Question 15

Essential Components of a Viable Mesocosm:

Answer 15

Light source- essential for photosynthesis

Autotrophs -primary producers (plant, algae) that convert light energy into chemical energy

Saprotrophs- Decomposers that break down dead organic matter

Heterotrophs - Consumers that feed on other organisms (herbivores, carnivores)

Question 16

Autotrophs

Answer 16

Autotrophs -primary producers (plant, algae) that convert light energy into chemical energy

-make organic compounds form inorganic nutrients

Question 17

Heterotrophs

Answer 17

• Consumers that feed on other organisms (herbivores, carnivores)

-cannot produce its own food, takes nutrition from other sources of organic carbon

Question 18

Saprotrophs

Answer 18

• Decomposers that break down dead organic matter
  -feeds from decaying matter

Question 19

Primary Consumers

Answer 19

-eat producers (plants, algae)
- also called herbivores
- occupy the second trophic level of the food chain

rabbits eating grass, deer eating leaves, zooplankton consuming phytoplankton

Question 20

Secondary Consumers

Answer 20

• eat primary consumers
• can be carnivores or omnivores
• occupy the third level of the food chain

foxes eating rabbits, owls preying on mice, small fish consuming phytoplankton

Question 21

Energy Transfer

Answer 21

The difference in trophic levels affects energy transfer

Energy available is approximately 10% of the previous level

Question 22

Energy Flow

Answer 22

Energy enters ecosystems through photosynthesis and exits as heat during respiration.

Question 23

Nutrient Cycling

Answer 23

Nutrients are recycled within ecosystems through processes like the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles.

Question 24

Climate change

Answer 24

is a significant and complex issue that impacts various aspects of the environment and human society, particularly affecting water, energy, and food supplies.