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BIOL 2322 Ecology > Lecture 3: Habitats > Flashcards

Lecture 3: Habitats Flashcards

1
Q

what are the 5 main abiotic factors in aquatic systems?

A
  1. water salinity
  2. water temperature
  3. depth of water
  4. rate of water flow if there’s movement
  5. dissolved oxygen and nutrient levels
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2
Q

What are the 3 major types of freshwater environments? Give 2 examples of each

A
  1. flowing water
    - rivers, streams
  2. still water
    - lakes, ponds
  3. wetlands
    - marshes, swamps
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3
Q

What are the 3 parts of a river?

A

headwaters
tributaries
mouth

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4
Q

Which direction do rivers and streams flow?

A

From the headwaters to the mouth

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5
Q

Describe the headwaters of a river

A

the source of the water

can be flow of water from ice melt, lake, pond

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6
Q

Describe the mouth of a river

A

the end of the river that empties out into a lake, ocean, or wetland

usually fans out in a delta

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7
Q

Describe tributaries

A

small streams that empty into another stream

many tributaries connect to form a major river

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8
Q

Describe what is meant by upstream

A

things that are closer to the headwaters relative to the reference point

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9
Q

Describe what is meant by downstream

A

things that are closer to the mouth of the river relative to the reference point

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10
Q

How are streams classified?

A

by order and can only increase in order when a stream of the same order joins it

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11
Q

Describe a first order stream

A

small headwater with no tributary

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12
Q

Describe a 2nd order stream

A

forms when two first order streams unite

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13
Q

Which orders are headwater streams classified as?

A

orders 1-3

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14
Q

which orders are medium-sized streams classified as?

A

4-6

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15
Q

Which orders are rivers classified as?

A

greater than 6

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16
Q

T or F: if a 1st order and 2nd order stream unite, it becomes a third order stream

A

FALSE. To increase in order, the joining streams must be of the same order

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17
Q

Describe the river continuum concept

A

no part of a river can be considered in isolation because there is a constant connection between all parts of the river as the water flows downstream

Both the physical and biotic components must be considered in this

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18
Q

T or F: the conditions of a river system remain unchanged from its headwaters to its mouth

A

FALSE

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19
Q

What 6 major changes would you expect to see as water flows from the headwaters to the mouth?

A
  1. increased stream bed size
  2. increased volume of water
  3. increase in nutrient and sediment loads
  4. decreased speed of flow
  5. substrate becomes finer
  6. changing levels of productivity
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20
Q

How can a flowing water system maintain a steady-state?

A

the continuous drift of material downstream must be balanced by:

  1. active movement of animals upstream
    - ex. salmon carry nutrients as they swim upstream
  2. productivity of upstream parts of the system
    - productivity upstream produces particulate material for consumers downstream
  3. input of materials from outside the system
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21
Q

Define CPOM and give an example

A

Coarse Particulate Organic Matter that enters a flowing water system

OM that is >1 mm in diameter

ex. leaves that fall into the stream from overhanging branches

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22
Q

Define FPOM and give an example

A

Fine Particulate Organic Matter than enters a flowing water system

OM that is 0.45 micrometers - 1mm

ex. OM that has been processed by detritivores or vertebrates

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23
Q

Define autochthonous and give an example

A

A system is autochthonous when organic carbon is produced from within an ecosystem

ex. if the ecosystem is primarily or built upon photosynthetic organisms who capture inorganic carbon and convert it into sugars

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24
Q

Define allochthonous and give an example

A

A system is allochthonous when organic carbon originates from outside of the ecosystem

ex. CPOM leaves that fall from trees outside of the stream

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25
Q

Define P/R

A

Primary productivity/cellular respiration

the biomass produced in a community through photosynthesis as a fraction of cellular respiration

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26
Q

What does P/R <1 mean?

A

the system has low productivity

and has a heterotrophic community because decomposers are the base of the food chain

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27
Q

What does P/R >1 mean?

A

the system has HIGH productivity

and has an autotrophic community because the photosynthetic organisms are the base of the food chain

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28
Q

What are the 5 invertebrate feeding groups of flowing water systems?

A
  1. shredders
  2. collectors
  3. grazers
  4. gougers
  5. predators
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29
Q

Describe shredders in flowing water systems

A

invertebrates that tend to be upstream and feed on bacteria and fungi that grow on the CPOM

Function: break down larger pieces of CPOM

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30
Q

Describe collectors in flowing water systems

A

invertebrates that capture organic matter from FPOM usually

can either be

gatherers
filter feeders

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31
Q

Describe grazers in flowing water systems

A

invertebrates that feed on photosynthetic organisms

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32
Q

Describe gougers in flowing water systems

A

invertebrates that burrow into waterlogged limbs and trunks of fallen trees

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33
Q

Describe predators in flowing water systems

A

organisms such as insect larvae and fish that feed on the grazers and other detrital feeders

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34
Q

Explain the physical conditions, productivity, and biotic community of the headwaters of a river

A

physical conditions:

  • rapid moving, cold water
  • very coarse, rocky substrate
  • stream bed very narrow
  • shaded from overhanging trees

biotic community:

  • majority collectors and shredders
  • some predators
  • minority gougers

productivity:

  • lots of overhanging trees = lots of CPOM falling in
  • low because of shade from trees
  • P/R<1
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35
Q

Explain the physical conditions, productivity, and biotic community of the middle section of a river

A

Physical conditions:

  • water velocity slows
  • particle size of substrate reduced - coarse sandy
  • wider stream bed

Biotic community:

  • majority grazers and collectors
  • predator level the same as headwaters
  • minority shredders

Productivity:

  • less shading by trees due to wider bed = more light penetration = more photosynthetic organisms
  • p/R >1 (autotrophic community)
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36
Q

Explain the physical conditions, productivity, and biotic community of lower reaches of a river

A

Physical conditions:

  • water moving much slower
  • very sandy, silty substrate
  • much wider stream bed
  • not much shade or CPOM

Productivity:
- P/R <1 because sandy silty substrate creates more sediment in water and FPOM from upstream is collecting = more invertebrates

Biotic community:

  • almost completely collectors
  • some predators
  • no shredders or grazers
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37
Q

Would allochthonous or autochthonous inputs be more important at the headwaters? why?

A

allochthonous inputs would be more important at headwaters because the productivity is P/R<1 and the biotic community is mostly heterotrophs like shredders and collectors which rely on the CPOM from outside of the river system

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38
Q

Which type of organisms are most common near the headwaters of a river?

A

collectors and shredders

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39
Q

Which type of organisms are most common in the mid section of a river?

A

collectors and grazers

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40
Q

Which type of organisms are most common near the lower reaches of a river?

A

collectors

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41
Q

Which type of organisms are most common near the lower reaches of a river?

A

collectors

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42
Q

What are the 3 zones of still water (lakes and ponds)?

A
  1. littoral zone
  2. limnetic zone
  3. benthic zone
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43
Q

Describe the littoral zone

A

the zone closest to the shore of a body of still water

  • supports diverse variety of rooted aquatic plants
  • light can penetrate all the way to the bottom so there is more photosynthetic activity here than in any other zone
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44
Q

Describe the limnetic zone

A

the zone out from the littoral zone in a body of still water

it is the open water near the surface with reasonable light penetration

  • primary production in this zone is done by phytoplankton and single celled algae
45
Q

Describe the benthic zone of still water

A

the zone underneath the limnetic zone of a still body of water

little light penetrates the deep water, so limited plant growth here

  • consists of the lake’s sediments and detritus that has sank
  • invertebrates burrow in the sand and feed on detritus
  • less dissolved oxygen
46
Q

What are the 3 layers of still water regarding temperature and density and depth

A
  1. epilimnion
  2. thermocline
  3. hypolimnion
47
Q

Define eplimnion

A

warm, low density water that sits at the top of a body of still water

Warmed by solar radiation, mixed by wind to maintain a fairly uniform temperature

48
Q

Define thermocline

A

Layer of water in a body of still water below the epilimnion where there is a rapid temperature change over a short distance of depth

49
Q

Define hypolimnion

A

The lowest layer of still bodied water with uniform temperature of cool water around 4-5 degrees C and the most dense

50
Q

How is density of water related to temperature of water?

A

Inversely related

As temperature decreases, density will increase

Cool water sinks

Frozen water will float though

51
Q

What occurs in still bodies of water in temperate zones when seasons change from SUMMER to FALL?

A

When the air temperature cools, the surface water temperature in the epilimnion will also cool and become denser and sink below the thermocline

52
Q

What occurs in still bodies of water in temperate zones during the Fall?

A

As the water from the surface/epilimnion sinks, wind causes the water from the benthic zone to be brought up to the surface and mix

This is similar to upwelling in oceans as it also brings nutrients to the surface from the lake floor to be available for photosynthetic organisms at the surface

53
Q

What occurs in still bodies of water in temperate zones when seasons change from FALL to WINTER?

A

air temperature cools even more and cools the surface waters to below 4 degrees C so that it becomes less dense and freezes.

Under the surface of ice, the water is warmer ~4 deg. which provides a habitat for organisms through the winter

54
Q

What occurs in still bodies of water in temperate zones when seasons change from WINTER to SPRING?

A

When the surface temperature warms, the ice will melt and as it approaches 4 deg. it will sink back down to the bottom

Winds move surface waters around and pull water up from the bottom to mix the nutrients

55
Q

In temperate zones, which season(s) is the thermocline present in a still body of water?

A

Summer only

56
Q

Define wetland

A

Land that has standing water or periodically saturated soils with emergent vegetation

57
Q

Define emergent vegetation

A

Plants rooted in substrate at the bottom of water that grow/emerge from the surface of the water

58
Q

What are the two types of wetlands?

A

Freshwater and salt water

59
Q

What are the 3 kinds of freshwater wetlands?

A

marshes
bogs
swamps

60
Q

What are the 3 types of salt water wetlands?

A

saltwater marshes
estuaries
mangrove swamps

61
Q

What feature is common to all types of wetlands?

A

They contain plants that can tolerate low oxygen conditions

62
Q

Describe freshwater marshes

A

A type of freshwater wetland that contains non-woody plants such as sedges, rushes, and reeds

63
Q

Describe freshwater swamps

A

A type of freshwater wetland that contains woody vegetation such as trees

64
Q

Describe bogs

A

A type of freshwater wetland that has its water table on the soil surface year round and is entirely fed by water from precipitation (ie, no streams empty into it)

It is characterized by sphagnum moss which decomposes very slowly because of the waterlogged soils = peat

Soils are highly acidic and nutrient poor

65
Q

Which type of plant characterizes a freshwater marsh?

A

non-woody veg

sedges, rushes, reeds

66
Q

Which type of plant characterizes a freshwater swamp?

A

woody veg

trees

67
Q

Which type of plant characterizes a bog?

A

sphagnum moss

68
Q

Describe marine environments

A

Aquatic environments characterized by very high salinity waters

69
Q

What are the 6 types of marine environments?

A 
salt water marshes
estuaries
mangrove swamps
intertidal zones
coral reefs 
open ocean
70
Q

Describe estuaries

A

A type of saltwater wetland where rivers empty into oceans

Salt and freshwater mix

Extremely nutrient rich as nutrients are brought from the river = very productive ecosystems

71
Q

Describe salt marshes

A

A type of saltwater wetland where emergent, non-woody vegetation (reeds, sedges, rushes) grow

Located in coastal areas and usually within estuaries

72
Q

Describe mangrove swamps

A

A type of saltwater wetland that contains woody plants with an extensive above ground root system

helps fight erosion in coastal areas

73
Q

What are the 6 zones of open ocean?

A 
intertidal zone
neritic zone 
oceanic zone
photic zone
aphotic zone
benthic zone
74
Q

Describe intertidal zone

A

The region of an open ocean system that is periodically submerged when the tide is in and exposed when the tide is out

75
Q

Describe neritic zone

A

the zone of an open ocean system near the shore and of the coast that is just before the big drop off
- permanently submerged

76
Q

Describe the photic zone of an open ocean system

A

the zone of open ocean from the surface to ~200m in depth where light can penetrate

the community is mostly build from primary producers like algae and phytoplankton

77
Q

Describe the aphotic zone of an open ocean system

A

below ~200m in depth where little light penetrates

78
Q

Where do biotic communities arise in the aphotic zone of an open ocean system?

A

Around hydrothermal vents

Chemoautotrophs such as bacteria use the chemicals and inorganic carbon sources to do chemosynthesis

79
Q

Describe hydrothermal vents

A

Cracks in the earth’s surface under water (in the aphotic zone) that contain and release very hot pressurized gases

80
Q

Describe the benthic zone of an open ocean system

A

the depths of the ocean that contains the sediments

81
Q

How many zones is the intertidal zone broken up into? What are they?

A

3

Upper intertidal
Middle intertidal
Lower intertidal

82
Q

Describe the upper intertidal zone. What kind of conditions exist here and what kind of organisms can survive here?

A

Part of the intertidal zone of an open ocean system

It is the last part of the intertidal zone to be flooded when the tide comes in, and the first to be exposed when the tide goes out

CONDITIONS:

  • very dry (submerged for only short period of time)
  • high salinity
  • high temperatures

ORGANISMS:

  • little organismal diversity
  • mostly barnacles
83
Q

Describe the middle intertidal zone. What kind of conditions exist here and what kind of organisms can survive here?

A

Part of the intertidal zone of an open ocean system

The zone below the upper zone that is submerged for longer periods of the day

CONDITIONS:

  • less saline
  • more moderate temperatures
  • extreme wave action

ORGANISMS:

  • more organismal diversity
  • mussels, fucose (algae)
84
Q

Describe the lower intertidal zone. What kind of conditions exist here and what kind of organisms can survive here?

A

Part of the intertidal zone of an open ocean system
The area that is submerged the longest

CONDITIONS:

  • very last to be exposed and first to be flooded
  • lowest temperature conditions
  • lowest salinity

ORGANISMS:

  • greatest diversity of organisms
  • more competition for space
  • ex. sea stars, crabs, larger algae
85
Q

Describe coral reefs and how they are formed

A

Shallow, tropical waters with temperatures >20 degrees C.

Habitats created by coral (colonial cnidarians) when they secrete calcium carbonate shells

When the coral dies, the shell is left behind and a new coral will grow on top of it and overtime the a reef is formed
- creates nooks and crannies for a diverse landscape that supports a lot of space for organisms

One of the most diverse biomes on earth

86
Q

Which of the layers of the intertidal zone is the most diverse? Which is the least? Why?

A

most: lower because the conditions are less extreme
least: upper because the conditions are most extreme

87
Q

Define terrestrial biomes

A

geographic regions composed of communities of organisms with similar adaptations

88
Q

How are terrestrial biomes characterized?

A

by their predominant vegetation and climate conditions

89
Q

What are the 2 key abiotic factors that affect the distribution of plant communities?

A

temperature

moisture

90
Q

Describe the North America Precipitation Gradient

A

dominant vegetation reflects decline in average YEARLY PRECIPITATION from East coast to the Rockies

East: mesophytic forest –> oak-hickory forest –> oak woodland –> prairie –> dry grasslands –> desert –> Rockies

91
Q

Describe the North America Temperature Gradient

A

Dominant vegetation reflects decline in average ANNUAL TEMPERATURE from South to North

South: tropical forest –> subtropical forest –> temperate deciduous forest –> temperate mixed forest –> boreal forest –> tundra

92
Q

What are the 9 major biomes on Earth?

A
  1. tropical rainforest
  2. tropical seasonal forest/savanna
  3. subtropical desert
  4. woodland/shrubland
  5. temperate seasonal forest
  6. temperate grassland/cold desert
  7. temperate rainforest
  8. boreal forest
  9. tundra
  10. polar ice cap
93
Q

How are biomes classified?

A

By their average annual temperature and precipitation

94
Q

Which biome receives the highest average annual precipitation?

A

tropical rainforest

95
Q

Which biome(s) receives the lowest average annual precipitation?

A

tundra
temperate grasslands
subtropical deserts

96
Q

Which biome(s) have the highest average annual temperature?

A

Tropical rainforest
tropical seasonal forest/savanna
subtropical desert

97
Q

Which biome(s) have the lowest average annual temperature?

A

Tundra

98
Q

What do climate diagrams show?

A

average monthly temperature and precipitation for specific locations within a biome

= not representative of the entire biome

they tell us about the productivity of ecosystems and whether plant growth is limited by temp or ppt

99
Q

How can you tell from a climate diagram whether plant growth is limited by temperature or precipitation?

A

Temperature and ppt are both on vertical scales so:

  • if ppt drops below temperature, it is ppt that is limiting
  • if temperature is below ppt, it is temperature that is limiting
100
Q

What does the green highlighted part show on a climate diagram?

A

the growing season

101
Q

Describe the geographic distribution, annual temperature, annual rainfall, and dominant vegetation of a TROPICAL RAINFOREST

A

LATITUDE: 20 deg. N to 20 deg. S

PPT: >100mm year round; >2000 annually

TEMP: >20 deg. C

VEG: broadleaf evergreen forests that grow year-round

  • year round growing season
  • growth rate is higher than all the biomes

SOIL: fairly nutrient poor due to heavy rains leaching the minerals

102
Q

Describe the geographic distribution, annual temperature, annual rainfall, and dominant vegetation of a TROPICAL SEASONAL FOREST/SAVANNA

A

LATITUDE: mostly >10 deg. N and S of equator

PPT: >100 mm in wet season; <20-40 mm in dry

TEMP: >20 deg. C

VEG: deciduous forest or savanna grasslands
- growth occurs year round but is limited by ppt in dry seasons

103
Q

Describe the geographic distribution, annual temperature, annual rainfall, and dominant vegetation of a SUBTROPICAL DESERT

A

LATITUDE: 20-30 deg N and S

PPT: scarce year round

TEMP: >20 deg. C

VEG: cactus, euphorbs, creosote
- growth is limited by precipitation

SOIL: low OM, mostly rock and sand

104
Q

Describe the geographic distribution, annual temperature, annual rainfall, and dominant vegetation of a TEMPERATE RAINFOREST

A

LATITUDE: 30-60 deg N and S; restricted to coastal areas

PPT: high year round; mild-rainy winters; foggy summers

TEMP: 5-20 deg. C
- limits plant growth in cooler months

VEG: evergreen, needle-leaved trees (~60-70m tall)

105
Q

Describe the geographic distribution, annual temperature, annual rainfall, and dominant vegetation of a TEMPERATE SEASONAL FOREST

A

LATITUDE: 30-60 deg N

PPT: moderate ppt

TEMP: 5-20 deg. C
- growth limited more by temp

VEG: deciduous trees

106
Q

Describe the geographic distribution, annual temperature, annual rainfall, and dominant vegetation of WOODLANDS/SHRUBLANDS

A

LATITUDE: >30 deg. N and S

PPT: Mediterranean climate (hot dry summers, mild wet winters)
- limits growth

TEMP: 5-20 deg. C

VEG: drought tolerant grasses and shrubs

107
Q

Describe the geographic distribution, annual temperature, annual rainfall, and dominant vegetation of TEMPERATE GRASSLANDS/COLD DESERTS

A

LATITUDE: 30-60 deg. N

PPT: varies widely along the NA ppt gradient (higher east, lower west)

TEMP: 5-20 deg. C

VEG: tall grass prairies in east, shortgrass prairies, cold desert vegetation (sagebrush)

108
Q

Describe the geographic distribution, annual temperature, annual rainfall, and dominant vegetation of BOREAL FOREST (TAIGA)

A

LATITUDE: 50-60 deg N

PPT: 40-1000mm annual average; heavy snow in winter
- can have hot, drought conditions in summer

TEMP: <5 deg. C
-limiting growth factor

VEG: evergreen needle-leaf conifers

  • low diversity
  • soil is really acidic and nutrient poor due to cold temperatures and needle leaf drops
109
Q

Describe the geographic distribution, annual temperature, annual rainfall, and dominant vegetation of TUNDRA

A

LATITUDE: >60 deg N and S and high alpine (where there is permafrost)

PPT: <600mm annual average; mostly falls as snow

TEMP: <5 deg. C
- limiting

VEG: dwarf woody shrubs and lichen (no trees)

BIOL 2322 Ecology (13 decks)

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