Introduction

Question 1

Define: Ecology

Answer 1

= study of interactions = abiotic or biotic factors that can lead to + / - interactions resulting in consequences for organisms

Question 2

Name 2 types of scale in which ecological interactions can be studied and how are they different?

Answer 2

Bottom up scale = lower trophic levels influence community structure

Top-down scale = higher trophic levels influence community structure

Question 3

Name some examples of abiotic and biotic factors

Answer 3

Abiotic = climatic events, volcanic eruptions, temp changes

Biotic = competition, predation, disease- parasites

Question 4

Describe Scheiner + Willigs general theory of ecology.

Answer 4

Applied many scientists research and determined:
Distribution + abundance is heterogenous which leads to different interactions that have different consequences for organisms

Question 5

Name the 8 fundamental principles of ecology (Scheiner + Willig)

Answer 5

1. Organisms are distrubuted heterogeneously in space and time
2. Organisms interact with their abiotic + biotic environments
3. Variation among organsims leads to heterogenity in ecological patternd and processes
4. Environmental conditions are heterogenous in space and time
5. The distribution of organisms and their interactions depend on contingencies
6. Resources are finite and heterogenous in space and time
7. Birth and death rates are a consequence of interactions with abiotic + biotic environment
8. The ecological properties of species are the result of evolution

Question 6

Define: Heterogeneously

Answer 6

= diverse and uneven

Question 7

Define: contingencies

Answer 7

Possible future events

Question 8

Describe an example of how variation among organisms leads to heterogenity in ecological patterns and processes.

Answer 8

Harlequin ladybird = polymorphic- phenotypic traits will influence variation in distribution and abundance e.g. predation rates will depend on their colour

Question 9

Describe an example of how Organisms are distributed heterogeneously in space and time

Answer 9

Harlequin ladybirds = invasive UK species- most commonly encountered ladybird and their distribution varies with a lot of them found South of the UK, on a local scale they are much more abundant in towns than countryside + distribution driven by resources

Question 10

Describe an example of how the distribution of organisms and their interactions depend on contingencies

Answer 10

Daffodils caught in frost- usually flower when no more frosts to maximise reproductive success but random chance frost can influence interactions

Question 11

What is the most fundamental ecological principle and why?

Answer 11

8. The ecological properties of species are the result of evolution

= nothing in ecology makes sense except in the light of evolution

Question 12

What do ecologists study?

Answer 12

• Biosphere
• Ecosystem
• Meta community
• Community
• Species
• Meta population
• Population
• Individuals

Question 13

Define: biosphere

Answer 13

= worldwide sum of all ecosystems

Question 14

Define: Meta community

Answer 14

set of interacting communities that are linked by the dispersal of multiple, potentially interacting species

Question 15

define: meta population

Answer 15

a regional group of connected populations of the same species that occasionally interact

Question 16

why are meta populations studied?

Answer 16

humans creating metapopulations (= fragmenting) so trying to understand them can help with conservation

Question 17

What is ecology for?

Answer 17

• Can we conserve genes/individuals/populations/diversity?
• Can we predict extinctions?
• What will be the effects of environmental change- particularly climate change?
• How can we control pests and diseases?