integrated lec 13

Question 1

definition of ecology

Answer 1

Definition of Ecology:

The science of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.

Question 2

Why Ecology is Critical

Answer 2

Intersection with Evolution:

Ecology provides the stage where evolution operates, as emphasized in the metaphor: “The Ecological Theater and the Evolutionary Play” (Hutchinson, 1965).
Evolutionary processes arise from interactions between organisms and their environment.

Practical Applications:

Understanding biodiversity’s response to:
Climate change.
Habitat destruction.
Invasive species.
Informing conservation, sustainable development, and ecological health.

Question 3

distribution of biodiversity

Answer 3

Some species have large geographic ranges (e.g., red fox), while others are highly localized (e.g., American pika).

Question 4

populations

Answer 4

Populations:
All individuals of a species in one area at a specific time.
Example: Zebras in a savanna.

Question 5

Communities:

Answer 5

All species living together in one area at a specific time.
Example: Zebras, giraffes, and plants in a savanna.

Question 6

Ecosystems:

Answer 6

Communities plus their abiotic environment.
Example: The entire savanna, including soil and climate.

Question 7

factors influencing species range

Answer 7

Key Determinants:

Dispersal: Species’ ability to move and colonize new areas.
Abiotic Conditions: Climate, nutrients, and other environmental factors.

Species Interactions:
-Competition: Interaction where species vie for the same resource.
-Predation: One organism preys on another.
-Mutualism: Cooperative interactions benefiting both species.

Question 8

Performance Along Environmental Gradients:

Answer 8

Organisms perform best at optimal portions of environmental gradients (e.g., temperature, salinity).

Question 9

species abundance

Answer 9

Determinants of Abundance:

Availability of resources (e.g., food, space).
Interactions with other species.
Environmental stability.
Examples:

Abundant Species: Grass species that dominate prairies.
Rare Species: The Galápagos tortoise (Lonesome George).

Question 10

Lynn Margulis:

Answer 10

Proposed the endosymbiotic theory explaining the origin of mitochondria.

Question 11

What factors limit the geographic range of a species?

Answer 11

A: Dispersal abilities, environmental conditions (temperature, water availability), and species interactions (competition, predation).

Question 12

How is energy lost in an ecosystem?

Answer 12

A: Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level due to the second law of thermodynamics.