Lecture 1

Question 1

Biodiversity

Answer 1

The variety of life, as expressed through genes, species, and ecosystems, that is shaped by ecological and evolutionary processes

Question 2

Genetic diversity

Answer 2

The inter-individual diversity of genes

Question 3

Why is genetic diversity important?

Answer 3

Genes greatly affect the adaptive potential of species in the face of environmental change. It allows to maintain the viability of populations over time and increases the survival potential of the species.

Question 4

Species diversity

Answer 4

The number of species that live in a given area. Each species possesses its own genetic diversity.

Question 5

Functional diversity

Answer 5

The diversity of elements that influence the functioning of an ecosystem. The diversity includes the species diversity as well as the diversity of each species’ functional traits.

Question 6

Ecosystem diversity

Answer 6

The diversity and the ecological interactions of ecosystems. It compromises the species diversity in a given area.

Question 7

Ecosystem science

Answer 7

The study of inter-relationships among the living organisms, physical features, bio-chemical processes, natural phenomena, and human activities in ecological communities

Question 8

What are the main ideas of ecosystem science?

Answer 8

Energy, Nutrients, Mass balance, Modeling

Question 9

How can ecosystem science change?

Answer 9

Adaptive management can change based on what you’ve found and can change your model. It folds well into ecosystem processes, which can be molded to other processes

Question 10

How was the concept of ecosystems formalized?

Answer 10

1. Ecological Succession
2. Trophic Interactions
3. Biogeochemistry

Question 11

Who founded ecological succession?

Answer 11

Frederic Clements

Question 12

What did Frederic Clements propose?

Answer 12

Proposed that the best way to understand community processes was to study the physiology of its constituent parts, the plants and animals. Posited that a community is analogous to an organism –Made up of interacting parts, with its own physiology and evolution. Saw community succession to be a linear process that resulted in a predictable ‘climax community

Question 13

Who founded ‘individualistic concept’?

Answer 13

Henry Gleason

Question 14

What consists of the ‘individualistic concept’?

Answer 14

1. Environmental factors vary in space and time
2. Each plant species has its own tolerance of these factors
3. Plants tend to disperse their seeds randomly

Question 15

Individualist concept means…

Answer 15

A community is a result of chance migration and selection by the environment and is at least somewhat unpredictable and difficult to define

Question 16

Who was Charles Elton?

Answer 16

Founded the Eltonian Pyramid

Question 17

What is the Eltonian Pyramid?

Answer 17

Represents biomass, numbers and energy (Limited to level 4 or 5 trophic levels)

Question 18

Why is the Eltonian Pyramid important?

Answer 18

1. Implied energy transfer among taxonomic groups (Trophic Interactions)
2. Provided insights into the dynamics of ecological communities
3. Some credit this as the first rigorous representation of food webs

Question 19

What is Biogeochemistry?

Answer 19

1. Focuses on cycles of chemical elements (e.g., C and N) and their interactions with and incorporation into living things
2. Biologically driven chemical processes, and/or those chemical processes that impact biological activity
3. Cycling of energy and materials into, within, and out of ecosystems
4. Influenced by, or impact on, biota

Question 20

Who was Raymond Lindeman?

Answer 20

First suggested grouping organisms within an ecosystem into trophic levels.

Question 21

What is Trophic Theory?

Answer 21

1. Trophic dynamics: transfer of energy from one part of an ecosystem to another
2. Energy is lost with each trophic level
3. The number of trophic levels in an ecosystem is limited by energy losses with each transfer or conversion of energy between trophic levels

Question 22

What did Raymond Lindeman state about Trophic Theory?

Answer 22

1. Lindeman converted food groups into energy units to make everything comparable across the system
2. He then calculated the energy transfer among three major groupings, producers, primary consumes, and secondary consumers.
3. The data showed that about 10% of the production by producers ends up in the production of primary consumers, and about 19% of primary production ended up in the production of secondary consumers

Question 23

What are the 3 important notes of The Trophic-Dynamic Aspect of Ecology?

Answer 23

1. Succession: expanded earlier work to include energy – how does productivity change during succession? (not just how communities and populations change)
2. Trophic theory: expanded Elton’s ideas to distinguish flow of matter vs. energy
   * Matter is continuously recycled vs. energy flows one-way
   * Energy lost as heat as matter is transferred through trophic cycle, so one-way transfer of energy must always be replenished
3. Biogeochemistry: integrated abiotic and biotic systems into mathematical
   models

Question 24

Who was H.T. Odum?

Answer 24

• Pioneered the use of microcosms
• Lead the way in ecosystem modeling
• Rigorously applied energy concepts to ecosystems
• Used radioisotope tracer studies to track energy
• Explored the implications of the laws of thermodynamics in ecology

Question 25

What was H.T. Odum’s viewpoint?

Answer 25

• From this viewpoint, biogeochemical cycles are driven by radiant energy and the laws of thermodynamics
• Led to a language of energy movement in ecosystems