Exam 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the Levels of Ecology

A

Individuals (Organismal)
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Landscape
Biosphere/Global

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2
Q

What is Organismal Ecology

A

focused on the Physiology, Morphology, Behavior, and Evolution

e.g., how do zebras regulate internal water balance?

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3
Q

What is Population?

A

group of interbreeding individuals of SINGLE species living in same area

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4
Q

What is Population Ecology

A

variables impacting population size, distribution, and changes over time, evolution abiotic-biotic interactions

e.g., what factors control zebra populations?

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5
Q

What is Community?

A

group of populations of DIFFERENT species in same area

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6
Q

What is Community Ecology

A

how species interactions affect evolution, structure, and organization of involved species

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7
Q

What is an Ecosystem?

A

community of organisms + physical and chemical environment

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8
Q

What is Ecosystem Ecology

A

energy flow, chemical cycling between organisms and environment

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9
Q

What is a Landscape?

A

“mosaic” of connected ecosystems (including terrestrial and aquatic)

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10
Q

What is Landscape Ecology

A

exchanges of energy, materials, and organisms across ecosystems

e.g., how do vegetated corridors affect rate of movement among isolated forest fragments?

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11
Q

What is the Biosphere?

A

global ecosystem, sum of the planet’s ecosystems and landscapes

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12
Q

What are the three options in counting individuals?

A
  1. “Count Everything”
    -large, non-motile organisms
  2. “Quadrat” Method
    -sample of total population
    -appropriate of relatively immotile organisms
  3. “Mark-and-Recapture”
    -highly motile organisms, often in difficult to access areas
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13
Q

What is the formula for Mark-Recapture?

A

(# marked & released x # captured in 2nd sampling) / # marked that are recaptured

= population size

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14
Q

Some organisms are elusive and hard to count.

What are some ways to count these organisms?

A

-listen/tally vocalizations
-camera trapping
-counting scat (poop)
-pickup roadkill
-yield from fishing/hunting efforts

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15
Q

100 kingfishers are captured and marked.

Several days later, 20 birds are caught, and 10 are marked.

What is the estimated population size?

A

100 x 20 / 10

= 200 pop. size

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16
Q

Define the following distribution types for individuals across a landscape:

Clumped
Regular
Random

A

Clumped: unequal chance of being anywhere
-most common
-e.g. sea stars

Regular: “uniform,” evenly spaced
-e.g. penguins

Random: equal chance of being anywhere
-e.g. dandelions

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17
Q

Define Ecology

A

scientific study of RELATIONSHIPS between organisms and between organisms and the ENVIRONMENT

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18
Q

T/F: A hypothesis is a proposition to explain natural phenomena made with limited evidence that is the starting point for further testing

A

TRUE

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19
Q

T/F: red squirrels who actively defend territories is an example of a group most likely to exhibit UNIFORM DISPERSION

A

TRUE

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20
Q

What does Habitat Fragmentation lead to?

A

decreased habitat area
increased isolation
“edge effects”

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21
Q

What are some natural and anthropogenic causes of fragmentation?

A

fire
flooding
lava flows
roads
urbanization
border walls
dams

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22
Q

Which islands, large or small, harbor more species?

A

large islands
-bigger target for migrants
-support larger populations
-multiple habitat types

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23
Q

Do islands closer or farther from the “source” have more species?

A

closer to the source
-more species migrants arrive
-“rescue effect”

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24
Q

What does Darlington’s Rule regarding island area and number of species state?

A

10x increase in island area leads to 2x increase in number of species

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25
Q

As species are added, what is the affect to Immigration? Extinction?

A

Immigration = slows as species are added

Extinction = increases as species accumulate
-larger pool
-lower abundance/species
-greater competition for resources

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26
Q

What are Subpopulations?

A

localized patches of individuals, together forming a population

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27
Q

What is a Geographic Range?

A

distribution of a species, the collective occurrence of populations

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28
Q

What is a Metapopulation?

A

“population of populations” in discrete habitat patches linked by occasional dispersal

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29
Q

An area that contains SUITABLE HABITAT for the organism of interest is the _________

A

Patch

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30
Q

An area that contains UNSUITABLE HABITAT for the organism of interest is the _________

A

Matrix

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31
Q

A local population that occupies a patch is the __________

A

Deme

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32
Q

What is it called when a patch is occupied, then not occupied, the occupied again?

A

Turnover

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33
Q

An area of habitat that is SAFE for the organism to move through (from one patch to another) is called a _________

A

Corridor

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34
Q

Typically small patches that can be used as resting areas for the organism to move between larger patches is considered a _____________

A

Stepping-stone Patch

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35
Q

There are Four Models of Metapopulation Theory - what are they?

A
  1. Classical Model
  2. Patchy Model
  3. Non-Equilibrium Model
  4. Mainland-Island Model
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36
Q

What is a Unitary Organism?

A

species composed of discrete individuals that are EASILY RECOGNIZED as NATURAL UNITS

e.g., humans, dogs, lion

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37
Q

What is a Modular Organism?

A

species composed of MULTIPLE subunits that are capable of independent function

e.g., corals, plans
-usually harder to determine

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38
Q

A portion of a modular organism that exists separately at least in part is the _____________

A

Ramet

e.g., stems of a plant; polyps of a coral

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39
Q

“Genetic individuals” consisting of ALL the RAMETS that originated from a single zygote are the _________

A

Genet

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40
Q

Is a frog Unitary or Modular?

A

Unitary

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41
Q

Is a plant Unitary or Modular?

A

Modular

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42
Q

What components are included in Change in Population Size?

A

Births
+ Immigrants Entering Pop.
- Deaths
- Emigrants Leaving Pop.

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43
Q

What is the difference between a Iteroparous breeder versus a Semelparous breeder?

A

Iteroparous = breed throughout entire life

Semelparous = die after giving birth

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44
Q

In exponential growth, r represents __________, meaning that greater values of r lead to _____________

A

intrinsic growth rate

faster population growth

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45
Q

What is the equation for Exponential Growth

MUST KNOW FOR TEST…WON’T BE GIVEN!!

A

N(t+1) = N(t) x e^rt

e = exp. of natural log (2.72)
t = time
r = intrinsic rate of increase (births - deaths)

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46
Q

What makes Logistic Population Growth a more accurate model to use?

A

populations limited by food, space, other resources in the environment

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47
Q

What is Carrying Capacity (K)?

A

maximum population size the environment can support

e.g., moose in Isle Royale

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48
Q

What is the Allee Effect?

A

negative or reduced per capital growth rate when population density is LOW

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49
Q

Can wolf populations grow at an exponential rate?

A

No - will exhibit logistic growth with repeated oscillations between prey (moose)

50
Q

What is Demography?

A

scientific study of population size and population parameters that influence population size

includes:
-mortality
-birth
-migration
-rates of pop. growth over time

51
Q

In life tables, Vertical Analysis refers to _____________

A

study individuals across AGE/STAGE CLASSES at CURRENT TIME

52
Q

in life tables, Horizontal Analysis refers to __________

A

follows individuals of an early age THROUGH TIME as they age/grow

53
Q

What is a Cohort Life Table? What about a Static Life Table?

A

Cohort = monitor a cohort throughout its LIFETIME

Static = record AGE AT DEATH for a large number of individuals in a population

54
Q

What is a Life Table and its primary components?

A

summary of mortality-related parameters for a population

-population size (nx)
-survival rate (lx)
-number dying (dx)
-mortality rate (qx)

55
Q

What is the purpose of a Life Table?

A

perform survivorship analysis
determine age- and stage- structure in populations

56
Q

There are 3 generalized types of Survivorship Curves.

What is Type I and an example?

A

low mortality until late in life

e.g., humans, dall sheep

57
Q

There are 3 generalized types of Survivorship Curves.

What is Type II and an example?

A

constant rate of mortality through life

e.g., birds, reptiles, rodents

58
Q

There are 3 generalized types of Survivorship Curves.

What is Type III and an example?

A

high mortality early in life, but low in later

e.g., plants, oysters

*those that disperse propagules into environment

59
Q

Most plant species exhibit which type of survivorship curve?

A

Type III

60
Q

What does Fecundity refer to?

A

“Reproductive Value/Potential”

61
Q

When referring to the “fitness” of individuals, what does this mean?

A

offspring produced

Higher Offspring = Higher Fitness

62
Q

Why do Fecundity Schedules only incorporate the average number of female offspring produced per female at each age class (mx)?

A

Females are the ones to reproduce - so they matter more with offspring than males (who do not reproduce)

63
Q

Say you have a species that is a hermaphrodite.

What is the count in the Fecundity Schedule (mx)?

A

ALL offspring counted

64
Q

What is the MAIN FACTOR with survivorship in determining population size changes?

A

Reproductive Rate (mx)

65
Q

By multiplying the Proportion Surviving with Fecundity (i.e., avg number of female offspring per female individual), what is the ending value represented?

HINT: sum of lxmx

A

Net Reproductive Rate

66
Q

When R0 > 1

Population size ___________

NOTE: R0 is net replacement rate

A

Grows

67
Q

When R0 < 1

Population size ___________

A

Declines

68
Q

When R0 = 1

Population size ___________

A

Stays constant

69
Q

T/F: Predation is a WEAK selective force?

A

FALSE

70
Q

T/F: Both predators and prey have adaptations to predation

A

TRUE

e.g., Hares get faster (slow ones die off)

71
Q

Describe the following Antipredation strategies:

Crypsis

A

“camouflage”

e.g., Canyon Tree Frog

72
Q

Describe the following Antipredation strategies:

Aposematic Coloration

A

Coloration that WARNS and DETERS predators
-can be toxic!

e.g., rough-skinned newt (has tetrotoxin, or a neurotoxin!)

73
Q

What is the difference between Batesian Mimicry and Mullerian Mimicry?

A

Batesian Mimicry = harmless species mimics harmful species
-e.g., caterpillar mimicking snake

Mullerian Mimicry = Two harmful species resemble each other
-e.g., cuckoo bee and yellow jacket

74
Q

Describe the following Antipredation strategies:

Defensive Structures

A

literally the name

e.g., Moose and their antlers; pufferfish and spines

75
Q

Describe the following Antipredation strategies:

Vigilance

A

sight, smell, sound

e.g., hares and their eyes for vision behind them

76
Q

Describe the following Antipredation strategies:

Habitat Refuge

A

areas where prey run and hide

e.g., water, burrows, up a tree, into air

77
Q

Without Habitat Refuges, what happens to prey?

A

Likely, predator drives prey to EXTINCTION

78
Q

With Habitat Refuges, what happens to prey?

A

Likely, predator and prey numbers become OSCILLATED

79
Q

Describe the following Antipredation strategies:

Life History

A

“out of sync” with predators

e.g., cicadas,

80
Q

What is Herbivory

A

consumption of living plant tissues for food or water

81
Q

Herbivory is similar to predation, expect herbivory may not _______________

A

kill the “prey”

82
Q

What are some adaptations by Herbivores?

A

-specialized digestive systems
-chemical sensors (toxic vs nontoxic)
-eat specific plant parts

83
Q

What are some adaptations by Plants in response to Herbivores?

A

-spines, thorns
-chemical toxins (bad taste -> death)
-mutualism with other species

84
Q

What is Frugivory?

A

Fruit eaters

85
Q

What are the various types of eating for Herbivores?

A
  1. Grazing/browsing
    -e.g. deer
  2. Stem-boring
    -caterpillar
  3. Leaf-mining
  4. Frugivory
  5. Xylem-feeding
    -tissue brings water from soil
  6. Phloem-feeding
    -sugar fluid moved around plant
86
Q

What is Reduced Apparency?

A

Hiding in space/time

87
Q

What is shared in Dormancy?

A

plant remains dormant as a way to hide from predators (hang out as meristem during fall - refuge!)

88
Q

What is a Parasitism interaction?

A

+/-

e.g., ticks and birds

89
Q

What is the difference between Endoparasites and Ectoparasites?

A

Endo: within host
-malaria hemoparasite

Ecto: upon host
-tick on finch

90
Q

What is a Mutualism interaction?

A

+/+

e.g., cows and gut bacteria; angiosperms and pollinators

91
Q

What is a Commensalism interaction

A

+/0

e.g., water buffalo and cattle egrets cleaning off parasites

92
Q

What interactions exist between a tick on a dog and the dog?

A

+/-

“Parasitism”

93
Q

What is an Obligate Species Interaction?

A

at least one species could NOT grow or reproduce without the other

DEPENDENT!

94
Q

What is a Facultative Species Interaction?

A

BOTH organisms DO BETTER with their mutualist, but can survive and reproduce without it

95
Q

Regarding species interaction partnerships, what are the following:

Trophic Partnership

A

specialized partnerships for obtaining energy and nutrients

e.g., grouper and moray eels co-hunt for prey

96
Q

Regarding species interaction partnerships, what are the following:

Defensive Partnership

A

partnerships providing PROTECTION against herbivores, predators, or parasites

e.g., Ant-Acadia (ants protect against herbivores)
-reduce competition for water, nutrients for Acadia!

97
Q

Regarding species interaction partnerships, what are the following:

Dispersive Partnership

A

partnerships in which animals disperse pollen or seeds of plants, generally for FOOD REWARD

e.g., flying foxes disperse fruit/seed

98
Q

Regarding Cleaning Symbioses, what is a “Cheater?”

A

cleans fish but also eats part of them too

99
Q

What interaction occurs between Cleaner and Client?

A

Not always clear…

can be some of each: mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism

100
Q

What is Interference Competition?

A

DIRECT interactions

101
Q

What is the difference between Intraspecific and Interspecific interactions regarding competition?

A

Intra: between individuals of SAME species

Inter: between individuals of DIFFERENT species

102
Q

What best describes the interaction of Competition?

A

-/-

103
Q

What is Exploitative Competition?

A

use of limited resources

104
Q

T/F: Competition favors specialization

A

TRUE

105
Q

What is a Niche?

A

“Fit” of a species to ecological conditions

106
Q

There are 3 thoughts to the Niche. Define the following one:

Grinnellian Niche

A

species fill “SPACES” determined by habitat

107
Q

There are 3 thoughts to the Niche. Define the following one:

Eltonian Niche

A

the “ROLE” a species plays in habitat with respect to resources and enemies

108
Q

There are 3 thoughts to the Niche. Define the following one:

Hutchinsonian Niche

A

n-dimensional hyper volume of environmental conditions and resources

-not simply just space or role…it is complex and includes all

109
Q

What is the difference between a Fundamental Niche and a Realized Niche?

A

Fundamental: sum of resource conditions and environmental parameters in which a species can live and reproduce in ABSENCE of competition (or other interactions)
-IDEALIZED, PERFECT habitat

Realized: sum of resource conditions and environmental parameters in which a species DOES live and reproduce in present of competition (or other interactions)
-ACTUAL SET OF CONDITIONS, not perfect habitat like fundamental

110
Q

An Ecological Niche is potentially a ___________ of infinite dimensions

A

Hypervolume

111
Q

What are the possible outcomes of Interspecific Competition?

A
  1. Displacement of Competitively Inferior Species (extinction?)
    e.g., broke trout and bull trout
  2. Coexistence…but occupy different parts of their fundamental niches
    e.g., character displacement in the Galapagos finches
112
Q

T/F: Competition CAN influence niche

A

TRUE

e.g., remove barnacle species from mid-intertidal zone, and the niche of the barnacle species in the high tide will expand into this new zone
-leads to difference I’m realized and fundamental niche

113
Q

The Competitive Exclusion Principle states that ____________

A

Two species with identical environmental requirements (niches) CANNOT coexist indefinitely

-co-existing species occupy DIFFERENT niches

114
Q

What evidence supports the Competitive Exclusion Principle?

A

Organisms perform bettie when competitors are REMOVED

Improved performance is due to AVAILABILITY of resources that would otherwise go to competitors

115
Q

What is Character Displacement?

A

greater phenotypic differences in SYMPATRY than in areas of ALLOPATRY

116
Q

What is Sympatry and Allopatry when referring to character displacement?

A

Sympatry = “same” place, interactions

Allopatry = “alone”

117
Q

T/F: Natural selection favors individuals in the SYMPATRIC population that experience less interspecific competition

A

TRUE

118
Q

Regarding exponential growth, what is the value for e (natural log)?

A

2.72

119
Q

Regarding exponential growth, what is the formula for how long would it take a population to DOUBLE in size?

A

0.69 / r

120
Q

Regarding exponential growth, how do you calculate r (intrinsic rate of increase)?

A

Crude Birth Rate - Crude Death Rate / 1000

121
Q

Regarding fecundity schedules, how do you calculate R0?

A

Sum lxmx

122
Q

An elephant pregnancy lasts approximately 22 months, and typically, only one calf is born per pregnancy. The calf weighs more than 200 pounds at birth. Elephants can live for 70 years. Based on this information, which survivorship curve is most likely for elephants?

A

Type I