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Ecology > Lec 1-3 > Flashcards

Lec 1-3 Flashcards

1
Q

Term ecology termed by _______ in 1866

A

Ernst Haeckel

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2
Q

Ecology translates to:

A

The study of our house: Earth

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3
Q

What is ecology?

A

Study of relationships between organisms and their environment (including relationships w/ other organisms)

Study of interactions that determine distributions and abundance of organisms
-Determines where organisms exist

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4
Q

What do ecologists study?

A

Order from most specific to least specific:

Organismal to Population to Community to Ecosystem to Biosphere

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5
Q

Organismal Ecology

A

AKA Physiological ecology

Focus: Adaptations of individuals to the abiotic (nonliving) components of their environments (i.e. temp, water, sunlight, soil)

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6
Q

Population Ecology

A

Population: Group of organisms of the same species in a certain area at a certain time

Focus: Factors that affect population dynamics (i.e. density and growth)

Most QUANTITATIVE portion of ecology

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7
Q

Community Ecology

A

Classic definition of ecology

Community: ALL of the organisms (all of the populations) in a certain area at a certain time

Focus: Interactions among all of the organisms of all of the species (i.e. competition, predation, mutualism)

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8
Q

Ecosystem Ecology

A

Ecosystem: all of the organisms (the community) in a certain area at a certain time, plus all of the abiotic components of the area

Focus: the flow of energy through and the cycling of nutrients within the ecosystem
–Energy flows, nutrients cycle

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9
Q

Biosphere Ecology

A

Biosphere: the entire habitable portion of Earth
–From ~10,000m above to ~10,000m below sea level

Focus: global processes (climate patterns) and the distribution of biomes (ecosystem types) that results

CLimate patterns differ (due to angle of sun and earth at that point), so ecosystems differ

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10
Q

Ecologists study a range of ____________ and a range of ____________

A

Spatial scales; temporal (time) scales

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11
Q

Example of spatial scales

A

Community level:

  • -Community could be all of the organisms in Amazon rainforests
  • -Community could be all of the organisms in a termite’s gut
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12
Q

Example of temporal scales

A

Population level:

  • -Ecologists may study a population of mayflied that live for just a few hours as adults (very SHORT temporal scale)
  • -May study changing distr of an oak population since the end of the Pleistocene (~11,500 years ago; last ice age; oak trees lived on equator)
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13
Q

How do Ecologists Conduct their Studies?

A

Field Observations
Field and Laboratory Experiments
Mathematical Models

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14
Q

Field Observations

A

To detect patterns in nature

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15
Q

Field and laboratory experiments

A

To explain the patterns

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16
Q

Mathematical models

A

To make predictions about the patterns

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17
Q

What is Ecology NOT?

A

NOT equivalent to environmentalism or environmental science

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18
Q

Environmental science

A

Focuses only on humans’ affect on environment

Environmental activists

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19
Q

Ecology is a _________- while environmental science is a ___________

A

pure (natural) science; applied science

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20
Q

Applied Science

A

Incorporates BOTH pure sciences and social sciences

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21
Q

Ecology is to ____________ as physics is to __________-

A

environmental science; engineering

Ecology and physics are the pure sciences, environmental science and engineering are the applied sciences

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22
Q

Frog Case Study

A

STUDY IN NOTES; Result: flukes AND pesticides affect frog deformities

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23
Q

Weather

A

Current conditions (temp, precip, wind speed)

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24
Q

Climate

A

Long-term description of weather

Based on averages, variation, extremes, timing measured over centuries

Largely determines geographic distr of organisms (determine biomes)

SUN is ultimate source of energy that drive global climate

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25
Q

Atmospheric Patterns

A

Sun’s energy NOT received equally everywhere on Earth

Near EQUATOR:

  • -Sun’s rays strike directly
  • -Less atmosphere to penetrate
  • -More constricted portion covered by sun’s rays

Near POLES:

  • -Sun’s rays spread over larger area
  • -More atmosphere to penetrate (rays more diluted)
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26
Q

Uplift

A

Warm air is LESS dense than cool air, so it RISES

When solar radiation heats Earth’s surface, which in turn warms air above it

Air pressure DECREASES with altitude, so rising air expands and cools

More precipitation

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27
Q

Cool air holds ______ water vapor than warm air

A

LESS

Forms liquid water instead, resulting in precipitation

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28
Q

Tropical Regions

A

0 to 30 N and S

Hadley Cell

Prevailing winds: TRADE WINDS

Receive MOST solar radiation:

  • -Uplift
  • -Low Pressure
  • -High Precipitation
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29
Q

When air reaches max altitude, air flows ____________________

A

North or South, toward the poles

As the air moves away from equator toward poles, it COOLS further

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30
Q

Subsidence

A

Air descends when it cools, forming HIGH pressure zones

Occurs MOST at 30 N and S
–Major DESERTS of the world occur at these points

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31
Q

Polar Zone

A

60 to 90 N and S

Polar Cell

Prevailing winds: EASTERLIES

Receive LESS solar radiation than equator:

  • -Subsidence (POLAR DESERTS)
  • -High pressure
  • -Low Precipitation
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32
Q

Temperate Zone

A

30 to 60 N and S

Ferrel cell

Prevailing winds: WESTERLIES

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33
Q

Coriolis Effect

A

Object at equator moves to EAST at 1040mph (if moving around world in 24hrs)

Object at 60 N or S moves EAST at 520mph (24hrs)

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34
Q

Earth moves ______ to ______

A

West to East

35
Q

Air mass at equator flows toward the poles is moving FASTER than ground below it and appears deflected to ___

A

EAST

36
Q

Air flowing from HIGHER alt back to equator is moving SLOWER than ground below and appears deflected to _______

A

WEST

37
Q

Coriolis Effect results in ___________

A

Prevailing Winds:

  • -0-30: trade winds
  • -30-60: Westerlies
  • -60-90: Easterlies
38
Q

Major ocean currents driven by __________, modified by _________

A

Prevailing winds; continents

39
Q

_______ push surface waters ________ at equator

A

Trade winds; westward

40
Q

When waters hit continents, they split:

A

Into north- or south-flowing currents

41
Q

Water flows N to S, encounter _____, which blow them back to the ______

A

Westerlies; east

42
Q

Water has _______ specific heat capacity than land

A

HIGHER

Water can absorb and store much heat energy with minimal change to its temp (moderating effect)

43
Q

Maritime Climate

A

Coastal areas

Little daily and seasonal variation in temple

44
Q

Continental Climate

A

Areas in center of large continents

Much temp variation

45
Q

Air cools _________________ in elevation, so mountains are ______ than lowlands

A

6-10C for every 1000m INCREASE; COOLER

46
Q

Rainshadow Effect

A

Air mass meets mountain range: West side gets uplife, east side gets subsidence

WINDWARD slope:

  • -West Side
  • -Uplift
  • -High precip

LEEWARD slope:

  • -East side
  • -Subsidence
  • -Little precip
47
Q

Average annual temp gets progressively COOLER moving _________ from the equator towards the poles

A

AWAY

Regional influences modify this general rule (i.e. mtn ranges, maritime climates)

48
Q

Hadley, Ferrel, and polar circulation cells lead to precip being _________ in tropical latitudes (0 N and S, 60 N and S) and ___________ at 30 N and S, 90 N and S

A

HIGHEST; LOWEST

UPLIFT at 0 and 60
SUBSIDENCE at 30 and 90

49
Q

Earth tilted at ______ relative to sun’s rays

A

23.5

50
Q

Sun hits _________ Winter Solstice

A

Tropic of Capricorn (23.5S)

Sun never SETS in antarctic, sun never RISES in arctic

51
Q

Sun hits __________ Summer Solstice

A

Tropic of Cancer (23.5 N)

Sun never RISES in antarctic, sun never SETS in arctic

52
Q

Sun hits _________ at Spring and Fall Equinox

A

Equator

12 hrs of daylight EVERYWHERE on Earth

53
Q

Equator receives __________ daylight year-round

A

12 hours`

54
Q

In tropics, seasons marked by SLIGHT changes in ___________

A

Precipitation

Wet season and SLIGHTLY less wet season

55
Q

Temperate and polar zones have ________ in solar radiation

A

Seasonal variation

Results in varying temps and daylengths

56
Q

El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

A

Freq of ~3-8 years and lasts 18 months

El Nino events associated w/ equatorial Pacific Ocean

Results:

  • -Diminished trade winds
  • -Slowing circulation in Pacific

Eastern Pacific (N and S America) become WETTER than normal

Western pacific (Asia, Australia) become DRIER than normal

57
Q

Earth’s climate fluctuated b/w warmer and cooler conditions several times over past ___________

A

500 million years

Influence development of ecosystems and evol. hist. of organisms

58
Q

Long-term climate variations due to regular changes in _____________________-

A

Shape of Earth’s orbit and tilt of axis

Shape of orbit:
--Varies b/w elliptical and more circular
---100,000 year cycle
Angle of tilt:
--Changes 40,000 years
--B/w 22.3 to 24.5
59
Q

Biome

A

Largest category of ecosystem that can be studied

60
Q

Biome distr

A

Dictated by global climate (temp, precip) patterns

61
Q

Biomes characterized by ______________

A

Dominant plant forms

62
Q

Terrestrial Biomes:

A

Tropical Rainforests (10 N and S)
Tropical Seasonal Forests (10N to 23.5 N, 10S to 23.5S)
Hot Deserts (30 N and S)
Temperate Grasslands (30 and 50 N and S)
Temperate Shrublands and Woodlands (30 and 40 N and S)
Temperate Deciduous Forests (30 and 50 N ONLY)
Temperate Evergreen Forests (30N and 50 N and S)
Boreal Forests (50 and 65 N)
Tundra (>65 N)
Polar Deserts (Greenland in N, Antarctica in S)

63
Q

Tropical Rainforests

A

10 N and S

Warm ALL year

Annual Precip: >200cm
–At least 10cm precip per month

HIGHEST species diversity of ANY biome, terrestrial or aquatic

HIGHEST biomass and productivity of ANY biome

Dominant Plant Form:

  • -Tall Evergreen (don’t lose leaves) Trees
  • –Epiphytes (Herbacious plants climb trees) and lianas (Woody vine)

LITTLE light reaches forest floor; understory adapted to dark

64
Q

Tropical Seasonal Forests and Savannas

A

10 N to 23.5 N (tropic of Cancer); 10 S to 23.5 S (Tropic of Capricorn)

Season Forests:

  • -1 or 2 dry seasons
  • -Shorter DECIDUOUS trees
  • -More Grasses and Shrubs than rainforests
  • -Overall slightly LOWER species diversity

Savanna:

  • -Tropical Grassland
  • -Similar to forests, but mainly grasses and only scattered trees/shrubs mixed in

BOTH:
–Highly adapted to FIRE and GRAZING by large herbivorous animals (zebra, wildebeest, buffalo)

65
Q

Hot Deserts

A

30 N and S

High temps year round

Annual Precip <25cm

SPARSE vegetation and animal populations

Abundance low, species diversity HIGH

Dominant plant form:
–Succulents (stems/leaves store water)

Desert plants also include:

  • -Drought-deciduous shrubs
  • -Grasses
  • -Short-lived annuals
66
Q

Temperate Grasslands

A

30 and 50 N and S

Seasonal Temp Variation:

  • -WARM and WET Summers
  • -COOL and DRY winters

Precip spread thru/out, more in summer

Grasses adapted to fire and grazers

High organic matter in soil

#1 biome MOST affected by humans:
--Good for agriculture

AKA prairie

MIDDLE of US

67
Q

Temperate Shrublands and Woodlands

A

B/w 30 and 40 N and S

Mediterranean Climate:

  • -Mild rainy winters
  • -Hot, DRY summers
  • -I.e.: Southern CA

Shrublands:

  • -Dominant plant form:
  • —Perennial, woody, evergreen shrubs
  • —–Also many ANNUAL species
  • —Other mediterranean vegetation:
  • —–Chaparral (taller ~5-6ft)
  • —–Coastal sage scrub

Woodlands:

  • -Dominant plant form:
  • —Pinon Pine and juniper woodland (rel. small trees)

HIGH species diversity

Adapted to and DEPENDENT on fires:
–Many plants will not germinate until AFTER fire

On WEST COAST of US

68
Q

Temperate Deciduous Forests

A

B/w 30 and 50 N

Cold winters and mild to warm summers

Fairly reliable precip year round; most occurs in SUMMER

Leave lost in WINTER

HIGH species diversity; NOT as high as rainforests

LITTLE disturbances

On EAST COAST of US

69
Q

Temperate Evergreen Forests

A

30 N and 50 N and S

In MARITIME ZONES:

  • -Most RESTRICTED biome
  • -Coastal areas

Mild rainy winters and cool, rainy, foggy summers

Dominant plant form:

  • -Large Evergreen Conifers
  • —Dominate, don’t allow for many other species

HIGH biomass, LOW species diversity

70
Q

Boreal Forests

A

AKA Northern Coniferous Forests or Taiga

50 and 65 N

Mean Annual Temp <5C

Dominant Plant Form:
–Evergreen Conifers

LOW species diversity

Permafrost:

  • -Soil permanently frozen below 1 m deep
  • —Impede drainage of water; causes surface soils to be saturated
  • —VERY SLOW decomposition -> HIGH organic matter
  • -Extensive bogs of PEAT MOSS results
71
Q

Tundra

A

ABOVE 65 N

Cold temp and LOW precip year round

Permafrost

Dominant plant form:
–Not many plants, just mosses and lichens (fungus)

NO trees

Biome LEAST affected by humans

Animals:

  • -Migratory birds
  • -Herbivores (caribou)
  • -Carnivores (wolves and bears)
  • —These animals have been extirpated throughout much of other biomes
72
Q

Extirpated

A

Local extinction

73
Q

Polar Deserts

A

Greenland in N, Antarctica in S

Cold, dry, covered in ice year round

74
Q

Mountain Zones

A

Temp and precip change w/ elevation

Lower Montane Zone ~ Temperate grasslands/shrublands
1500m; 40 deg latitude

Montane Zone ~ Temperate deciduous/evergreen forest
2400m

Subalpine Zone ~ Boreal forest
3000m; >50 deg latitude

Alpine Zone ~ Tundra
3700m; 67 deg latitude

75
Q

Freshwater Ecosystems

A

Limnology: study of freshwater ecosystems

Limnology:

  • -Lotic (flowing water) systems
  • -Lentic (still water) systems
76
Q

Lotic Systems

A

Streams and rivers

First-order streams:

  • -Smallest streams originating from high elevations
  • -Converge to form second-order (2 second converge to form 3rd, so on)

Largest Rivers:
–Sixth-order stream or higher

Pelagic Zone:

  • -Flowing water out of main channel (open water)
  • —Organisms here: NEKTON (swimmers)

Benthic Zone:

  • -Bottom of stream
  • —Organisms here: Bottom dwellers, plankton (drifters)

Hyporheic Zone:

  • -Soil BELOW and ADJACENT to stream where water movement occurs
  • —Organisms: Invertebrates

Riparian Vegetation:
–Plants adjacent to stream

77
Q

Lentic System

A

Ponds and Lakes

Occur where:

  • -Depressions in landscape fill with water
  • -The flow of lotic system impeded
  • —Forms oxbow lakes

Biological zones determined by depth and degree light penetration

Pelagic Zone:

  • -Open water
  • —Organisms: Zooplankton and fishes

Photic Zone:

  • -UPPER LAYER of PELAGIC ZONE where light penetrates
  • —Organisms: Phytoplankton and zooplankton

Aphotic Zone:

  • -Lower layer of pelagic zone where light does NOT penetrate
  • —Organisms: Zooplankton

Benthic Zone:

  • -Lake Bottom
  • —Organisms: Invertebrates and bacteria; feed on detritus (dead organic matter)

Littoral Zone:

  • -Benthic Zone that is near shore in PHOTIC ZONE
  • —Organisms: Fishes, inverts, zooplankton, phytoplankton, riparian vegetation
  • -MOST productive and biodiverse part of lake
78
Q

Marine Ecosystems

A

Also categorized as Pelagic and Benthic

Many diverse LITTORAL Ecosystems:

  • -Estuaries
  • -Intertidal Zones
  • -Coral Reefs
  • -Kelp Forests
79
Q

Estuaries

A

Junction b/w river and ocean

Salinity varies
–Brackish water (combo of freshwater and saltwater)

HIGH productivity

Organisms:

  • -Many fishes
  • -Inverts
  • -Shorebirds
  • -Seagrasses
80
Q

Intertidal Zones

A

Junction b/w marine and terrestrial ecosystems

Alternates b/w marine and terrestrial as tide comes in and out

Organisms:

  • -Marine inverts
  • -Algae
  • —Adapted to survive changing conditions; tolerate dessicaton, salinity, temp, wave action
81
Q

Coral Reefs

A

Found in WARM, SHALLOW waters
–Tropical regions, along equator

Habitat for ENORMOUS DIVERSITY of species

Rates of biomass and production are some of highest on planet

  • -“Rainforests of the Ocean”
  • —Second only to rainforests
82
Q

Kelp Forests

A

COLD, SHALLOW waters
–Along entire CA coast

High diversity:

  • -Algae
  • -Inverts
  • -Fishes
  • -Marine mammals
83
Q

Pelagic Zone in MARINE:

A

Open ocean

Photic zone:

  • -Supports highest density of organisms
  • -Extends ~200m deep

Aphotic Zone:
–Energy and nutrients supplied by falling detritus

Organisms:

  • -Nekton (squids, fishes, sea turtles, marine mammals)
  • -Phytoplankton (cyanobacteria, diatoms, dinoflagellates)
  • -Zooplankton (protists, crustaceans)
84
Q

Benthic Zone in MARINE

A

Ocean Floor

Sparsely populated:

  • -Near freezing
  • -VERY HIGH pressure

Organisms live in sediment (bacteria and marine worms) or graze on sediment (echinoderms)

Ecology (13 decks)

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