Exam Review Flashcards
What is macroecology?
Large scale study of specie abundance and distribution
How do you predict species distribution patterns?
Species niche requirements can be combined with spatial info
Define connectivity
unimpeded movement of species
Define ecological islands
a habitat isolated by natural or artificial means from the surrounding habitats
Ecological islands with more area have:
1) increased species richness
2) decrease species richness
Increased specie richness
Positives of a larger areas/population?
- more resources (support larger populations)
- Larger populations are less vulnerable to extinction
With MANY species how are the resources, competition/niche overlap, population, extinction/competitive exclusion, immigration effected?
Decrease, Increase, Decrease, Increase, Decrease
With FEW species how are the resources, competition/niche overlap, population, extinction/competitive exclusion, immigration effected?
Increase, Decrease, Increase, Decrease, Increase
when referring to communities; what is stability?
Persistence of a community in the face of a disturbance
when referring to communities; what is resistance?
ability of a community/ecosystem to maintain structure and/or function in the face of disturbance
when referring to communities; what is resilience?
ability of a community to return to it’s original structure after a disturbance
when referring to communities; what is alternative state?
When a community/ecosystem does not return to it’s original structure
Define succession
The gradual change in a ecosystem/community following a disturbance
During succession; what changes happen to the community/ecosystem?
- Increase in specie diversity
- changes in specie composition
Where does primary succession occur?
on newly exposed substrates most significantly modified (for good) by organisms
Where does secondary succession occur?
Occurs where disturbances remove communities without destroying the environment (ex: soils)
When referring to succession; Define chrono sequence?
A group of communities or ecosystems that represent a range of ages or time since disturbance (R-selected –> K-selected)
What is the process of primary production?
Where organisms turn inorganic energy to organic matter
What is primary productions the ‘gate way’ for?
Energy and nutrients entering a food web
What is the process of secondary production?
where organisms turn energy from organic matter into MORE organic matter
Ecology Thermodynamics [1st Law]
- Total energy of an isolated system is constant
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed only transformed from one to another
Ecology Thermodynamics [2nd Law]
- The transfer of energy from one form to another inefficient- dome energy is lost (usually as heat)
When referring to primary production; R (respiration) is?
amount of organic C converted to carbon dioxide
What is Gross Primary Production (GPP)?
total amount of energy fixed by primary producers
