Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Marine Benthic Ecology > Functional Groups > Flashcards

Functional Groups Flashcards

1
Q

What is the traditional classification method in marine ecology based on?

A

Taxonomic hierarchies that group species based on evolutionary relationships.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a limitation of taxonomic classifications in marine ecology?

A

They do not fully capture ecological functions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is an alternative approach to classifying organisms in marine ecology?

A

Classifying organisms based on shared functional traits.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How do functional traits contribute to ecosystems?

A

They define how organisms interact with their environment and contribute to ecosystem processes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the two approaches to studying species assemblages?

A
  • Taxon based approaches
  • Trait-based approaches
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the focus of trait-based approaches?

A

How the components of biodiversity influence ecosystem properties.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

List the categories of functional traits.

A
  • Morphological
  • Biochemical
  • Physiological
  • Structural
  • Phenological
  • Behavioral
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define ‘trait’ in the context of functional traits.

A

Any feature at any level of organisation that is measurable at the level of the individual.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a functional effect trait?

A

Any trait which alters specific community or ecosystem properties.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does a functional response trait refer to?

A

Any trait responding to external forcing that alters the performance or fitness of an individual.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Define ‘functional group’.

A

A set of organisms sharing similar responses to the environment and/or have similar effects on ecosystem processes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the two main criteria for defining functional groups?

A
  • Response to the environment
  • Effects on ecosystem processes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What insight do functional groups provide?

A

They provide insight into biodiversity’s role in maintaining ecosystem stability and resilience.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Name some ecosystem functions or properties mediated by benthic fauna.

A
  • Stabilising/destabilising sediment
  • Nutrient distribution
  • Primary production
  • Water quality
  • Pollutant breakdown
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the two approaches to defining functional groups?

A
  • Classification
  • Ordination
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is a characteristic of the classification approach?

A

Groups similar species together based on perceived functional traits.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a characteristic of the ordination approach?

A

Groups species most similar based on measured physiological and/or environmental variables.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is a disadvantage of using body size classification?

A

It is not ecologically relevant, as animal size depends on conditions and life stage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

True or False: Sediment stabilisers are relevant to coastal erosion.

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are the compartments into which habitat structure can be split?

A

Various relevant compartments

Includes vertical and horizontal components of benthic space

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

How does the aquatic/benthic boundary area affect organism behavior?

A

Behavior adapted to flow rates

Organisms interact with the dynamic conditions at the boundary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What factors are most important for survival in the aquatic layer?

A

Current speed, particle vectors, particle size

These factors influence the behavior and adaptations of organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the significance of boundary layers for organisms in benthos?

A

Bed flow, bed topography, sedimentation

These factors dictate how organisms interact with their environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What survival factors are critical in sediment layers?

A

Grain size, pore size, particle quality

These characteristics affect the habitat suitability for various species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Do species vertically separate in benthic environments?
Yes, species differ in size and depth despite shared modes of reworking and feeding ## Footnote For example, deeper species may bioturbate more than shallower ones
26
How does vertical separation affect species behavior?
It influences competition for food and space ## Footnote For instance, Protathaca competes with others for food in the sediment
27
What is intraspecific competition?
Competition within the same species ## Footnote Example: Protathaca competes with itself when alone
28
What is the focus of the study regarding functional groups?
Demonstrating interactions among species and their environments ## Footnote The classification of species into functional groups was not the main focus
29
What is involved in the categorization of marine benthic organisms into functional groups?
Identifying shared functional traits among species ## Footnote This aids in understanding ecological roles
30
What are two methods for classifying functional groups?
* Statistical computation * Perceived functional traits ## Footnote Classification can be predefined or arise from statistical analysis
31
How does habitat structure influence functional group distribution?
It affects species distributions and interactions ## Footnote Certain species occupy specific vertical zones in the sediment
32
What are functional feeding groups?
Groups based on feeding strategies ## Footnote Examples include engulfers, shredders, piercers, scrapers, collectors, filter feeders
33
What is the FOOD AVAILABILITY HYPOTHESIS?
Segregation related to food supply in each habitat ## Footnote Suggests that different sediment types influence feeding strategies
34
What evidence suggests the FOOD AVAILABILITY HYPOTHESIS is incorrect?
Water column data shows more organics above mud but no suspension feeders ## Footnote Indicates that food supply gradients do not fully explain feeding group distributions
35
What is the role of functional group typology?
Refers to species roles in food ingestion and food condition ## Footnote It helps in understanding nutrient cycling dynamics
36
How do feeding groups relate to sediment types?
* Sandy sediments: dominated by suspension feeders * Muddy sediments: dominated by deposit feeders ## Footnote Reflects how habitat conditions influence feeding strategies
37
What does the Trophic Group Amensalism Hypothesis suggest?
Deposit feeders increase turbidity, reducing suspension feeder success ## Footnote This hypothesis implies that the presence of deposit feeders can hinder the growth of suspension feeders due to increased sediment disturbance.
38
How does the proximity to mud affect clam growth according to the Trophic Group Amensalism Hypothesis?
Clam growth is slower nearer the mud due to increased resuspension of mud particles by deposit feeders ## Footnote The resuspension of mud particles can lead to poorer feeding conditions for clams.
39
In what type of waters do suspension feeders dominate?
Suspension feeders dominate in clearer waters with low sediment disturbance ## Footnote Clarity and low disturbance are essential for the success of suspension feeders.
40
What was Woodin's (1976) conclusion regarding the Trophic Group Amensalism Hypothesis?
The hypothesis is credible, but lacks evidence for the inverse hypothesis ## Footnote Woodin questioned why deposit feeders are absent in sandy areas dominated by suspension feeders, attributing it to a lack of organic matter.
41
What role do tube builders play in sediment environments?
Tube builders stabilize sediment and restrict movement of other groups ## Footnote Their presence can affect the community structure and interactions within the ecosystem.
42
What exceptions exist to the Trophic Group Amensalism Hypothesis?
* Tube and burrowers can both be deposit feeders * Co-occurrences of deposit and suspension feeders are widespread * Division between suspension vs deposit feeding areas can be cm in scale * Examples of interdependencies between suspension and deposit feeding groups ## Footnote These exceptions highlight the complexity of trophic interactions.
43
Who divided benthos into three trophic feeding groups?
Blegvad (1914) ## Footnote The three groups are detrivores, carnivores, and herbivores.
44
What are the six subcategories that capture detritus without hard mouthparts?
* Pseudopodial feeders (e.g. Foraminifera) * Filter feeders with cilia (e.g. Porifera) * Tentaculate feeders (e.g. holothurians) * Proboscoidal feeders (e.g. sipunculids) * Tube feet (e.g. some echinoderms) * Nematocysts (e.g. jellyfish and hydroids) ## Footnote These categories help in understanding the feeding mechanisms within benthic communities.
45
What are the four subcategories that capture detritus with hard mouthparts?
* Radula (e.g. molluscs) * Mandibles or teeth (e.g. priapulids) * Chitinous limbs (e.g. crustaceans) * Calcareous tooth jaws (e.g. echinoids) ## Footnote The classification of feeding mechanisms is crucial for understanding functional roles in ecosystems.
46
What did Hunt (1925) doubt regarding functional groups?
The utility of functional group designations outside Limfjorden ## Footnote Hunt suggested that the categories may not be applicable in broader ecological contexts.
47
What are the issues with functional group designation?
* Trait selection based on convenience * Assumes species can be categorized by specific contributions * Species may have multiple feeding modes * Conflicts in functional designation ## Footnote These issues complicate the accurate categorization of species within functional groups.
48
What are limitations of gut content analysis in trophic level determination?
Gut content analysis has limitations; stable isotope analysis is used for more accurate trophic position markers ## Footnote Stable isotope analysis provides a clearer picture of dietary sources and trophic relationships.
49
Why is using multiple traits to define functional groups advantageous?
Provides a more accurate functional group definition ## Footnote Multiple traits capture the complexity of species interactions and functional roles in ecosystems.
50
What does the Pearson & Rosenberg (1987) model classify species based on?
Traits like trophic group, mobility, and feeding mechanism ## Footnote This model helps in understanding the ecological roles of different species.
51
What does Swift's (1993) scoring system for bioturbation activity combine?
Traits like body size, mobility, and sediment reworking mode ## Footnote This scoring system allows for a quantitative assessment of bioturbation activity.
52
What does a bioturbation index measure?
Summed scores for mobility, feeding, and burrowing traits ## Footnote The bioturbation index helps in understanding the impact of organisms on sediment dynamics.
53
What does Bioturbation Potential (BP) estimate?
A community's potential to bioturbate ## Footnote BP combines abundance and biomass data with traits influencing sediment bioturbation.
54
What is Biological Trait Analysis (BTA)?
Uses life history, morphological, and behavioral characteristics to allocate functional groups ## Footnote Techniques include fuzzy correspondence analysis (FCA) and co-inertia analysis (CoI).
55
What are some challenges in defining functional groups?
Must account for varying environmental conditions and community structures ## Footnote Functional traits may change, affecting robustness over time and space.
56
How do pollution gradients affect functional groups?
Species distributions shift along pollution gradients, affecting functional group composition.
57
What influences the fluctuation of functional groups?
Temperature and nutrient cycles ## Footnote Seasonal changes can impact functional group composition.
58
What is a key feature of Biological Trait Analysis compared to traditional approaches?
Uses multiple traits to classify species, offering a more detailed functional perspective.
59
What does BTA capture that traditional methods may not?
Spatial heterogeneity and is more resistant to large-scale geographic variation.
60
What attributes should a functional group have?
Based on common attributes rather than phylogenetic relationships ## Footnote Other criteria include interactions with the environment and relevance to study.
61
What is a crucial aspect of trait selection for functional groups?
A trade-off between the contribution each trait makes and the availability of information.
62
What is the conclusion regarding functional classification schemes?
There is no universal functional classification scheme, but multiple approaches exist to enhance ecological understanding.
63
What can improve classification accuracy in functional groups?
Integrating multiple descriptors such as feeding, motility, and burrowing behavior.
64
True or False: BTA provides greater ecological insight than taxonomic approaches.
True.
65
Fill in the blank: Functional groups should be supported by _______.
[empirical evidence].

Marine Benthic Ecology (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions