Ecosystems & Communities (Chpt 4)

Question 1

Def of Greenhouse Effect?

Answer 1

• the natural situation in which heat is retained by this layer of greenhouse gases

Question 2

What are the Greenhouse Gases?

Answer 2

1. Carbon dioxide
2. Methane
3. Water vapor
4. nitrous oxide

Question 3

Def of Global warming?

Answer 3

• increase in temperature because of increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases (not a natural process)

Question 4

Effects of Global warming?

Answer 4

1. Rising sea levels
2. Polar ice melting
3. increase in #/severity of storms
4. droughts
5. shift in plant/animal distribution

Question 5

Def of Niche?

Answer 5

• the role or occupation of an organism in its environment

Question 6

Fundamental vs Realized niche?

Answer 6

• fundamental: the full range of environmental conditions in which an organism can live in
• realized niche: part of fundamental niche that one exploits (due to presence of other organisms)

Question 7

Def of Ecological succession? steps?

Answer 7

• the series of changes after an ecological disturbance
• first primary succession: no soil
  ex: lichens
• secondary succession: yes soil

Question 8

Def of Climax community?

Answer 8

• a stable endpoint without major changes