Introduction To Ecology Flashcards
What is ecology?
The study of abundance and distribution of organisms in relation to other organisms and environmental conditions
Ecological patterns are driven by…
Abiotic and biotic factors
Interactions between organisms and the environment affect the…
Distribution of species
Distributions are consequences of both…
Behavioral Factors and evolutionary history
Thinking like an ecologist
Where so species occur?
Why do species occur where they do?
What ecological factors determine their distribution?
Intersection of ecology and evolution example
Caterpillars with body color that better matches the twig is less likely to be eaten
If color is heretiable, subsequent generations of caterpillars will have more and more individuals better matched to twig color
Color is an adaptation against predators
What is dispersal?
Movement of individuals or gametes away from their area of origin or from centers of high population density
Contributes to the global distribution of organisms
Factors that affect species distribution
Dispersal
Biotic factors
Abiotic factors
What is range expansion?
When animals reach an area they did not exist previously
Example of range expansion
Cattle egret immigrated from Africa to Northern South America and then migrated to North America
What are species transplants?
Introduced species (intentional or accidental) provide opportunity to study dispersal
If a transplant is successful in new area can conclude that…
It’s potential range of a species is larger than the actual range
What is invasive species?
An organism that is not indigenous or native to a particular area
Examples of invasive species?
honeysuckle, kudzu, pythons, zebra muscle, lion fish, bamboo, goldfish, rats, rabbits and dandelions
Invasive species are a huge threat to…
Native wildlife
What is range expansion (natural)?
When organisms reach an area they did not exist previously
Species recover from small…
population and reoccupy previous habitats
Species recover from small…
population and reoccupy previous habitats
Example of range expansion (natural)
northern elephant seals after near extinction
Species increase in number and increase their
Historic range
What are Species transplants (experimental)?
Way to test the effects of the environment by moving (transplanting) species from one area to another and comparing changes
Controlled experimental set up
Ways invasive a species are introduced
Accidental
On purpose
Accidental introduction of invasive species
Zebra mussels stuck on the bottom of boats/ ships
On purpose introduction of invasive species
Pest control ex. Cats brought to island to control mice
Pets/decorative display ex. Pythons, plants
Agriculture
Can biotic factors affects the distribution of a species?
Yes
How can biotic factors affect the distribution of a species?
Often interactions with other species reduces fitness
Biotic factors?
Predation
Herbivory
Presence/ absence of pollinators
Pathogens
Parasites
Competing organisms
Conspecifics
Abiotic factors that affect species distributions
Temperature
Water
Oxygen
Salinity
Sunlight
If abiotic conditions do not allow a species to survive and reproduce the species will not be found there
What is brackish?
More saline than freshwater but less saline than marine environment
Ecology
Study of abundance and distribution of organisms in relation to other organisms and their environment
Environment
Refers to other organisms and physical aspects of organism’s surrounding
Climate has the BIGGEST…
influence on distribution of terrestrial (land) organisms
Major drivers of global climate patterns
Input of solar energy
Earth’s movement and position in space
Bodies of water
Mountains
Input of solar energy
Sun differentially warms atmosphere, land and water
Earth’s movement and position in space
Changes based on tilt and rotation of Earth how much sunlight any area is receiving
Bodies of water
Large scale movements of water between continents and upward movement of deep ocean water affect climate patterns
Mountains
Source of stored freshwater, create precipitation patterns, acts as barrier
Microclimate
Very fine, localized patterns in climatic conditions
What is microclimate affected by:
Casting shade
Altering evaporation from soil
Changing wind patterns
Climate change
A directional change to the global climate that lasts three decades or more
Evidence of global warming
Global temp rise
Warming ocean
Shrinking ice sheets
Glacial retreat
Decreased snow cover
Sea level rise
Declining arctic sea ice
Extreme events
Ocean acidification
