Lecture 1 - DA

Question 1

Define plant community.

Answer 1

Collection of interacting species within a given environment.

Question 2

Define community.

Answer 2

Group of organisms.

Question 3

Define association in ecology. What is it defined by?

Answer 3

Lowest level in vegetation hierarchy, usually defined by species.

Question 4

Define formation in ecology. What is it defined by?

Answer 4

Highest level in vegetation hierarchy. Defined by physiognomy.

Question 5

Define physiognomy. Give examples.

Answer 5

Growth form and structure, such as grasslands - biomes.

Question 6

Name 2 ways plant communities are classified. Which is more widely used?

Answer 6

1. Use only the properties of the vegetation.
2. Use a range of ecosystem properties.
   Number 1 is more widely used.

Question 7

What are the 5 major Australian biomes?

Answer 7

Desert
Open forest
Alpine
Grassland
Rainforest

Question 8

What kind of classifications are biomes, and what are they defined by?

Answer 8

Are higher level classifications defined by their dominant vegetation type.

Question 9

What percent of Australia is a desert? Are Australian deserts true deserts?

Answer 9

70& of Australia is a desert.

Australian deserts aren’t true deserts.

Question 10

How much rainfall do arid regions receive annually? What about semiarid?

Answer 10

Arid - under 200mm

Semiarid - 250mm

Question 11

In the north of Australia, what is the annual rainfall, and what are 2 reasons why?

Answer 11

380-500mm

Due to high temperature and evaporation.

Question 12

What are deserts characterised by?

Answer 12

Low rainfall and unpredictability.

Question 13

How much annual rainfall occurs in a mallee?

Answer 13

300mm

Question 14

What are 4 characteristics of Australian deserts, and its soil?

Answer 14

Characteristically flat, with sandy soil, clay, and loam.

Question 15

What kinds of plants tend to live in Australian deserts?

Answer 15

Endurers or avoiders.