Ecosystems

Question 1

a physical system composed of a set of biotic and abiotic elements that are interdependent

Answer 1

ecosystem

Question 2

a period rapid change

Answer 2

phase transition

Question 3

non-addictive interactions and feedback loops over time can give exponential relations between input and output

Answer 3

nonlinearity

Question 4

appear as networks in a higher level

Answer 4

connectivity

Question 5

enables self-organization & the process of evolution that shapes complex systems

Answer 5

autonomy (& adaptation)

Question 6

terrestrial ecosystem: arid

Answer 6

deserts

Question 7

terrestrial ecosystem: lush vegetation, high faunal diversity

Answer 7

tropical rainforest

Question 8

terrestrial ecosystem: cold, short growing season

Answer 8

tundra

Question 9

terrestrial ecosystem:rainfall low but higher than in deserts

Answer 9

grassland

Question 10

terrestrial ecosystem:leaves fall in autumn (four seasons are more pronounced)

Answer 10

temperate deciduous forests

Question 11

aquatic ecosystems:standing water

Answer 11

lentic

Question 12

aquatic ecosystems: running water

Answer 12

running water

Question 13

aquatic ecosystems: high diversity

Answer 13

coral reefs

Question 14

aquatic ecosystems: salinity tolerant trees

Answer 14

mangroves

Question 15

aquatic ecosystems:stabilize sediment, improve water clarity

Answer 15

seagrass meadows

Question 16

aquatic ecosystems: low light conditions

Answer 16

deep sea

Question 17

increases system complexity

Answer 17

heterogeneity

Question 18

increase a system’s resilience and robustness

Answer 18

degree of complexity

Question 19

measure of population demographics in a certain geographical area

Answer 19

spatial complexity

Question 20

a measure of species richness;snapshot of a population at a given time

Answer 20

heat map

Question 21

used to characterized time series of different variables system dynamics

Answer 21

temporal complexity

Question 22

describes not only relationships but also the organization between components of a system

Answer 22

structural complexity

Question 23

highly ordered w/ each node having exactly the same number of links

Answer 23

planar networks

Question 24

connections are created at random based on a certain probability of connectivity

Answer 24

random networks

Question 25

degree of distribution is defined by a “power law distribution” instead of a normal curve distribution associated with the random network

Answer 25

scale-free networks

Question 26

most nodes are not neighbors of one another , can be reached from every other node by a small number of nodes

Answer 26

small-world networks

Question 27

temporary changes that possibly result from natural causes, human activities or form disease and invasion of exotic species

Answer 27

the spread of disturbance

Question 28

aids recovery from an environmental disturbance

Answer 28

dispersal (of seeds)

Question 29

opened gap in a forest w/ seeds randomly fallen and germinated

Answer 29

disordered system

Question 30

agriculture monoculture

Answer 30

ordered system