Exam Review

Question 1

What is macroecology?

Answer 1

Large scale study of specie abundance and distribution

Question 2

How do you predict species distribution patterns?

Answer 2

Species niche requirements can be combined with spatial info

Question 3

Define connectivity

Answer 3

unimpeded movement of species

Question 4

Define ecological islands

Answer 4

a habitat isolated by natural or artificial means from the surrounding habitats

Question 5

Ecological islands with more area have:

1) increased species richness
2) decrease species richness

Answer 5

Increased specie richness

Question 6

Positives of a larger areas/population?

Answer 6

• more resources (support larger populations)

- Larger populations are less vulnerable to extinction

Question 7

With MANY species how are the resources, competition/niche overlap, population, extinction/competitive exclusion, immigration effected?

Answer 7

Decrease, Increase, Decrease, Increase, Decrease

Question 8

With FEW species how are the resources, competition/niche overlap, population, extinction/competitive exclusion, immigration effected?

Answer 8

Increase, Decrease, Increase, Decrease, Increase

Question 9

when referring to communities; what is stability?

Answer 9

Persistence of a community in the face of a disturbance

Question 10

when referring to communities; what is resistance?

Answer 10

ability of a community/ecosystem to maintain structure and/or function in the face of disturbance

Question 11

when referring to communities; what is resilience?

Answer 11

ability of a community to return to it’s original structure after a disturbance

Question 12

when referring to communities; what is alternative state?

Answer 12

When a community/ecosystem does not return to it’s original structure

Question 13

Define succession

Answer 13

The gradual change in a ecosystem/community following a disturbance

Question 14

During succession; what changes happen to the community/ecosystem?

Answer 14

• Increase in specie diversity

- changes in specie composition

Question 15

Where does primary succession occur?

Answer 15

on newly exposed substrates most significantly modified (for good) by organisms

Question 16

Where does secondary succession occur?

Answer 16

Occurs where disturbances remove communities without destroying the environment (ex: soils)

Question 17

When referring to succession; Define chrono sequence?

Answer 17

A group of communities or ecosystems that represent a range of ages or time since disturbance (R-selected –> K-selected)

Question 18

What is the process of primary production?

Answer 18

Where organisms turn inorganic energy to organic matter

Question 19

What is primary productions the ‘gate way’ for?

Answer 19

Energy and nutrients entering a food web

Question 20

What is the process of secondary production?

Answer 20

where organisms turn energy from organic matter into MORE organic matter

Question 21

Ecology Thermodynamics [1st Law]

Answer 21

• Total energy of an isolated system is constant

- Energy cannot be created or destroyed only transformed from one to another

Question 22

Ecology Thermodynamics [2nd Law]

Answer 22

• The transfer of energy from one form to another inefficient- dome energy is lost (usually as heat)

Question 23

When referring to primary production; R (respiration) is?

Answer 23

amount of organic C converted to carbon dioxide

Question 24

What is Gross Primary Production (GPP)?

Answer 24

total amount of energy fixed by primary producers

Question 25

What is Net Primary Production (NPP)?

Answer 25

Total amount of energy fixed by primary producers MINUS autotrophic respiration

Question 26

What is the Net Ecosystem Production (NEP)?

Answer 26

Total amount of energy fixed by primary producers MINUS autotrophic respiration and heterotrophic respiration

Question 27

what are the nutrients most common in primary production?

Answer 27

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Carbon

Question 28

What are the specific quantity’s and nutrients primary producers need?

Answer 28

• 106 C

- 16N

Question 29

What is the process of eutrophication?

Answer 29

The process where a body of water becomes progressively enriched with nutrients causing excessive plant and algae growth

Question 30

What happens when their is a microbial decomposition/respiration of algae depletes dissolved oxygen?

Answer 30

It creates a hypoxic or anoxic ‘dead zone’-lacking sufficient oxygen to support most organisms

Question 31

Define nutrient cycling

Answer 31

The use, transformation, movement, and reuse of nutrients in a ecosystem

Question 32

What is a MACronutrient?

Answer 32

an essential element required for large concentrations with in a organism
- C, N, P-02, H

Question 33

What is MICronutrients?

Answer 33

An essential element required for small concentrations within a organism
- Iron, zinc, silica

Question 34

When referring to biogeochemical cycling; define immobilization

Answer 34

conversion of inorganic nutrients into organic compound

Question 35

When referring to biogeochemical cycling; define physical transformations

Answer 35

binding and release of nutrients to/form in organic materials

Question 36

When referring to biogeochemical cycling; define decomposition

Answer 36

the break down of organic matters accompanied by the release of carbon dioxide and other inorganic compounds