Mid Term 1 reveiw Flashcards
What Type of animal did the Prof Study in Costa Rica
Rufous and White Wren
Where do Rufous and White Wrens nest
Bull Horn Acacia Tree
Why do Bull Horn Acacia trees have no Vegetation around it
Ants destroy vegetation to limit competition
Where do the ants live in the bull Horn Acacia
within the thorns
What does the stem of the Acacia Tree produce
Nectar that ants eat
What is the purpose of Beltian Bodys
Produced by Bull horn acacia trees. Ants eat it too gather protein and carbs
What is the relationship between the Bull Horn acacia and the Acacia Ants
Mutualism
What is Ecology
The study of the relationship between organisms and their environment
What is a Abiotic Relationship
Organism are affected by natural factors such as envoirment, weather, temperature,
what is a Biotic Relationship
Organisms are influenced by other organisms through competition, herbivory, predation, disease, mutualism
what does Oikos mean
Home
what does Logos mean
Study of
when was the word ecology coined
1869
Can something be affected by biotic and abiotic at the same time
yes
How is function of an ecosystem described
by productivity, change in nutrients, flow of energy, and flow of water
What is a mangrove
More than 50 species of trees adapted to life in brackish water
What is brackish water
Mix of fresh and salt water
What is the intertidal zone
area between high tide and low tide
What are Pneumatophores
Roots of a mangrove tree that project out of the ground to gather oxygen
What are the 3 main stressor of mangrove trees
Water level, Lack of oxygen, salt
What are the 4 services of mangrove trees
1- Land building organisms
2- roots filter waste and water to survive
3- Create rich envoirment for animals
4- Organic waste is created and used for food for other organism
Are Mangrove ecosystems under threat?
Yes, they are classified as threatened
What are Environmental Factors
Features that affect organisms, population, communites. The factors may be biotic or abiotic
Are Envoirmental factors always abiotic
They can be biotic or Abiotic
What is Limiting Factors
Mineral nutrients
What is the principal of Limiting Factors
Growth is controlled not
by the total amount of
resources available, but
by the resource that is in
shortest supply
Who developed the Principal of Limiting Factors
Developed by
Justus von
Liebig
What is an Example of Lake Eutrophication
Algal bloom in lake erie
Who studied Lake eutrophication
David Schindler
What causes Lake eutrophication
Addition of too much phosphorus limiting the oxygen
What is a Niche
all environmental
factors that limit
distribution, growth, and
reproduction of a
species
What did David Schindler Discover
Phosphorus is the limiting factor in fresh water lakes
What is a fundamental niche
The complete range of
conditions under which
a species can establish,
grow, and reproduce
when it is free from
interference. WHERE CAN
What is a realized Niche
the
observed resource used
by a species in nature,
where distribution is
restricted by
environmental factors
WHERE DOES
What is an example of Phenotypic Plasticity
Dandelion growth.
Dry area grows seeds
wet covered area grows green
Is Realized or Fundamental niche more narrow
Realized
What is Phenotypic Plasticity
ability of an organism to
change its phenotype in
response to changes in
the environment
What does Environmental stressor Line A represent
shows an early
response to stress; can
serve as an early-
warning signal
What is a instantaneous Stressor
Forest fire, Hurricane
What is a stressor
Environmental factor
that limits performance of
organisms, populations,
communities and landscapes
What is performance
Productivity and
reproductive fitness, relative to
genetic potential
What is a Accumulate stressor
Toxicity
What is tolerance
organisms, populations,
communities, etc. have
the capacity to function
in a “healthy” manner
within a range of
environmental stressors
What does Environmental stressor Line D represent
shows a late response
to stress; high tolerance
but can often cause rapid
change
What does Environmental stressor Line B represent
responds steadily and
provides a consistent
measure throughout
stressor
What does Environmental stressor Line C represent
shows a stepwise
response with rapid
chance at certain
thresholds, followed by
stability
What is Resilience
speed and degree to which an
organism, population, community, etc. can recover
to its original state following an event of
disturbance
What species has a high Resilience
Jack Pine Tree
What is Disturbance Stressor
powerful
but short-lived event (e.g.
severe windstorm, fire, etc.)
What species has a low Resilience
Atlantic Cod
What is Chronic Stressor
long term
influence (e.g. nutrients in water
and primary productivity)
What is a Natural Stressor
Natural stressors: present for
very long time periods (eons)
What is a Anthropogenic stressors
stressors associated with human
development
What is Climatic stress
temperature,
solar radiation, wind, moisture,
combinations
What is Biological stress
interaction
among organisms
What is Chemical stress
high
concentrations that cause
toxicity
What is Physical Stress
volcanic
eruption
What is the outcome of Environmental stressors
Decrease of productivity,
increases in mortality,
and reproductive failure
Species richness and
diversity decrease
What are the 2 Important Processes that occur in our ecosystem
- Energy flows through ecosystems
- Nutrients cycle through ecosystems
What is Ecological Energetics
the study of fixation,
transfer, and storage of
energy by ecosystem
components
What type of systems are ecosystems
Open Systems
What are some functions of Solar energy
- Heats Planet
– Evaporation of water
– Circulation of
atmosphere
– Circulation of oceans
What is the most important type of energy source in the ecosystem
Solar Radiation
What is the Formula for photosynthesis
Sunlight + 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
What is the First Law of thermodynamics
Energy can be transformed but not
created or destroyed
True or False: Season can cause a fluxuation in Biological activities
True
What is the Second Law of thermodynamics
Energy transformations can occur
spontaneously only under
conditions in which entropy of the
Universe is increased
What percentage of sun is absorbed by earth
45
What percentage of sun is reflected by earth
5
What percentage of sun is absorbed by the upper atmosphere
25
True or False: Solar radiation Varies with latitude
True
True or False: Absorbed sunlight and
dissipated energy are
almost in perfect
balance
true
What percentage of sun is reflected by the upper atmosphere
25
What are the green house gasses
CH4, H2O, CO2
What is the main cause of global warming
Increase of greenhouse gases
What would the Earths temperature be without green house gasses
Current average is 18 and it would be -15
What is the purpose of Green house gases
Creates a thermal blanket for the earth
What has caused a increase of greenhouse gasses
Combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and
agriculture have increased the atmospheric
concentrations of several greenhouse gasses
In what year did we pass 400 ppm of CO2
2015
How has global warming affected aquatic life
Have changed the lattitude where their ecosystem is.
What are some examples of photoautotrophs
Plants
Algae
Cyanobacteria
How do autotrophs produce energy
through sunlight/ photosynthesis
What light colour is short wave lengths
Blue
How do Chemoautotrophs produce energy
through heat
What light colour is long wave length
Red
Where do plants capture photons
Chlorophyll
What color/wavelengths do autotrophs dislike
Green
What wavelengths are plants most sensitive too
Red and Blue
Are all Plants Autotrophs
No. Ghost Pipe are plants that steals energy from other plants in their roots
What is Productivity
rate at which energy is fixed (in
autotrophs) and rate at which biomass is
accumulating (organisms and ecosystems)
how is Productivity Measured
On dry weight basis
What is Respiration
amount of energy
used by autotrophs for their
metabolism (
What is Gross Primary Production
total amount of solar energy
fixed by autotrophs
What is Net Primary Production
gross
primary production minus
respiration by autotrophs
On average, how much energy do plants use for respiration
1/4 to 3/4 energy
What ecosystem is the most productive
Rainforest and Reefs.
9.0 tC/ha/yr
What is the equation Net primary Production
NPP = GPP - R
What ecosystem has the lowest Net primary Productivity
Open Ocean 0.57 tC/ha/year
What is the productivity for Temperate forest
5.4 tC/ha/yr
What is the Global Net Production
73.2 109 tC/yr
True or False: Carnivores assimilate 20%
of energy in their food
True
What is a Food chain
linear
representation of feeding
interactions and energy
transfer
True Or False: Herbivores assimilate 10%
of energy in their food
True
What is a Food Web
representation of all feeding inter-
actions among the food chains in an ecosystem
What is natural history
the investigation of organisms in their wild habitats
what is structural attributes
units of quantity per unit of habitat
what are some examples of structural attributes
Biomass, Density, species richness
what is functional attributes
are rates of change of the structure of the ecosystem
what are some examples of functional attributes
Productivity, nutrients fluxes, water flow
What was the earliest bacteria known as
Heterotrophic bacteria
How does heterotrophic bacteria get energy
consuming organic matter for nutrients
What is the atmosphere
gases that surrounds the earth
What percentage of water is evaporated into the atmosphere from the oceans
90
What is a SER Model
Describes how biological and ecological changes will occur when stressor levels are exceeded
What is biomagnification
As you move up the tropic levels then animals have the highest levels of toxins that do not occur naturally
What is Nutrients
are substances necessary for healthy
physiology of organisms
What is often the growth limiting factor
Nutrients
What is often the growth limiting factor in aquatic ecosystem
Phosphorus and nitrogen
What is a Macronutrients
nutrients required in
large quantities
What are some examples of macronutrients
Carbon, Oxygen,
Hydrogen,Nitrogen,
Phosphorus, Sulfur,
Calcium, Magnesium,
Potassium
Mineral nutrient
availability often limits
plant productivity
What is micronutrients
nutrients needed in
very low quantities
What are some examples of micronutirents
Iron, Manganese,
Boron, Zinc, Chlorine,
Sodium, Copper, Nickel,
Molybdenum
* Lack of micronutrients
can lead to deficiency
syndromes
What is the most important nutrients
1- Carbon
2-Oxygen
3- Hydrogen
4- Nitrogen
5- Potassium
What happens when nickel and copper is at too high of concentrations
Stunt growth
Can tolerance to Nutrients change
Long exposure to toxic
substances can lead to
evolution of tolerant
organisms
What is Hyperaccumulation
Some plants neutralize toxic substances by
accumulating them in their vacuoles
What is an example of Hyperaccumulation
Mangroves
What is Phytoremediation
When plants are used to clean air, soil and water
What is Bioremediation
When Insects are used to clean soil, air, or water
Is nutrients in a cycle
Yes
What are the 4 stages of nutrients budgets
input
* Transformations
* Output
* Compartments
What is the fixed form of carbon in the atmosphere
Co2
Where do C02 come from
released through decomposition and resperation
How is CO2 used
Photosynthesis
How can Carbon be stored
as biomass, litter or peak
do carbon levels vary with season
Yes, Winter has higher carbon levels and Summer has lower Carbon levels
What are the 2 ways Carbon is produced
CO2 or CH4
How is CH4 produced
Bacteria, fossils fuel combustion,
What producess a massive increase in Co2
Fossil fuel combustion
What is Nitrogen critical for
Protein
what are some forms of Nitrogen
NO3- or NH4+
What form of Nitrogen can plants not use
N2
What percentage of the atmosphere is N2
78
What is Nitrogen Fixation
Converting N2 to a biological useful nitrogen
Where does Nitrogen Fixation occur
bacteria, free-living, or in
symbiosis with plant
hosts. Fixed through oxidation of lightning and through industrially
How does Nitrogen Fixation occur in roots
Roots contain Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium Bacteria
What is Phosphours Critical For
ATP
Where is most of the phosphours contained
Marine Sediments
How much phosphorous is in the atmosphere
nothing
How can Phosphorous be transported from ocean to land
Passing through organisms
What animals act as biovectors for phosphorus
birds
How is Sulfur emitted into the atmosphere
Volcanos or bacteria
What is Sulphur critical for
Protein and biochemicals
What macromolecule is not found in the atmosphere
Phosphorous
What is the main cause of So2 emissions
Anthropogenics
How is SO2 produced
Fossil fuels
What is the downfall of Sulfur in the atmosphere
Reacts with the atmosphere causing Acid Rain
What is the foundation of the terrestrial ecosystem
Soil
What is the size of coarse gavel
20 + mm
What us the size of gravel
2-20mm
what is the size of clay
less than 0.002mm
what is the size of sand
0.05-2mm
What is the size of silt
0.002-0.05mm
What fish played a major role in Canadas economy
Atlantic Cod
What is population Ecology
the
study of population
dynamics of species and
how populations interact
with the environment
How can Aphid Populations change over time
They can grow rapidly in small time scales
What is happening to the population of caribou
Declining
What is a Open Population
one where
individuals immigrate and/or
emigrate
What is a Population
group of
conspecific individuals that
inhabit a particular area
What are the 2 types of growths
Exponential and Logistic
What is the formula for a closed population
Nt+1 = Nt + (B – D)
What is a closed population
one that is
isolated from other groups of
the same species
What is the Formula for a open population
Nt+1 = Nt + (Bt – Dt) + (It – Et)
What is exponential Growth
The exponential growth model describes the rate
of expansion of a population under ideal,
unregulated conditions
How does population growth correspond to body size
Small body size = rapid population growth
Large body size= Slow population growth
looking at the chart, what population grew the fastest
deer mice
Looking at the chart, what population grew the slowest
Mako sharks
What is DOubling time of a population
time required for a population to
increase from N to 2N
Since 1960 on sable island, what type of growth did grey seals experience
Exponential growth
What is exponetial growth compared to
compound interest
WHen is exponential growth most likly to occur
When a population is low in numbers
What is the slowest breeder of all animals
Elephants
after 750 years, how many elephants did darwin predict there to be
19 million
What slows down exponential growth
Limted resources, increased competition
What does N=K mean
population is in equlibrium
What is Logistic population growth
When a population reacjes a carrking capacity
What is Fecundity
the number
of offspring produced by
an individual per season
What does N«K mean
Close to exponetial growth
When does the maximum sustainable yield typically occur
half of the carrying capacity
What happens when N approaches K
Growth slows down
What is Determined growth
Fecundity is constant
What is Indeterminate Growth
fecundity increases with
age, until senescence
What is Iteroparous species
reproduce more than
once in their lifetime
What is a Semelparous species
Reproduced only one then does
What is an example of a Iteroparous specie
Alantic salmon
What is an example of a Semelparous species
Sockeye salmon
What does type 1 survivalship curve mean
Low mortality except old age
What is an example of type 3 survivalship
Alantic Cod
What does type 3 survivalship curve mean
High mortality rates for younger indivduals
What is Type 2 survivalship curve mean
Constant mortality rate
What is an example of type 2 survivalship
Black-capped chickadee
What is an example of type 1 survivalship
Bighorn Sheep
What is a life table
a matrix of data on
age-specific survival and
fecundity
WHat can Life tables be used for
estimate net reproductive
rate (R0) in a population of
organisms, and determine if
the population is stable,
growing, or shrinking
WHat does Annual survival (sx) mean
Proportion of cohort that
survives that year
What does Age-specific survival (lx) mean
Probability of surviving
to the start of that year
What does Age-specific fecundity (mx):
Number of females per
female in that year
What does Abundance (Nx+1): mean
Number that survive to
start of that year
What does Exploitation competition mean
competition for resources
without direct interaction
What is an example of Interference competition
A vulture defends a
carcass from other birds
What is an example of competition for resources
without direct interaction
A moose eating
plants reduces food for
other herbivores
What does Interference
competition mean
competition that
follows direct
interactions
What is behavioral ecology
The study of the
behaviour of organisms, with
reference to adaptive significance
What are the 3 research frameworks of behavioral ecology
Acoustic
Communication
Animal
Conservation
Behavoural ecology
What type of research did dan use to study
Vocal learning and
cultural evolution
What are the 4 possible research techniques
Field studies
Wildlife recording
Sound playback Radiotelemetry
What are the 6 animals that are vocal learning
Songbirds Hummingbirds Parrots
Cetaceans
Bats
Humans
What are the 4 stages of vocal learning
Sensory phase
Silent period
Sensorimotor phase
Crystallization
What was dans first hypothesis
Vocal Learning Hypothesis
Wild animals learn songs by
listening to conspecific tutor song
What is dans 2nd hypothesis
Re-exposure Hypothesis
Animals will learn songs that are
heard both early in life and prior
to first breeding season
What is dans third hypothesis
Selective Attrition Hypothesis
After over-production, animals
will retain songs most similar to
their neighbours
What is Sexual dimorphism
When males and females of the same species look differently
What were Tinbergen’s 4 questions
- Causation (sensory-motor mechanism):
- Ontogeny (developmental changes):
- Evolution (phylogenetic history):
- Function (adaptive significance):
How does it function at molecular,
physiological, neural, cognitive level?
How does it change with age and what
are the developmental steps?
How does it compare in
closely related species?
How does it impact the animal’s chances
of survival and reproduction
of tinbergens 4 hypthesis, what ones are proximate questions
Causation and ontogeny
of tinbergens 4 hypthesis, what ones are ultimate questions
Function and evolution
What is fitness
the contribution
an individual’s offspring
make to the genetic
make-up of subsequent
generations
is fitness for a species or induvial
induvial
What is natural selection
selection
that favours traits that
maximize an individual’s
chance of surviving and
reproducing
What is sexual selction
selection
that maximizes the number of
fertilizations or matings
What is Viability selection
selection
that maximizes the survival of
the individual
What are the 4 areas of behavioural ecology
- Foraging behaviour
- Enemies (including
predators, parasites) - Sexual selection
- Social behaviour with
conspecifics
What is foraging behavior
Food choices have a
direct effect on fitness
* Foraging and
processing food is
costly
* It is efficient to be
selective and utilize
good foraging patches
What may increase the risk of gathering food
Predation
How do animals optimize food gathering
Cost-benefit decison
What is Intrasexual selction
competition between
members of the same
sex (usually males) for
access to the other sex
What gender often experiences intrasexual selection
Males
What gender often experiences Intersexual selection
Females
What is intersexual selection
members of one sex
(usually females)
discriminating among
possible mates
What is Batemans princial
in sexually reproducing
species, variability in reproductive success is
greater in males than female
What is ornamentation
visual
displays and acoustic
and phermone signals in
males increase
desirability by females
What is a lek site
area where male aniamls often gather to find females to make with
What are some advantages of social behavior
enhanced
predator detection,
defense from
predators, defense
from competitors, and
other functions
What are the disadvantages to social behavoiurs
increased
competition, increased
risk of infection
What is a Eusocial organism
individuals forego
reproduction to help
others
What is an example of a Eusocial organism
leaf cutter ants
What is Kin selection
natural
selection that favours
genetic contributions to
future generations
through altruistic
behaviour with close
relatives
What is Ecological Energetics
The study if the ways that solar energy becomes fixed by plants and other organisms and becomes avaible for other species
What does Biomass refer to
the weight of the accumulated production of organic matter by an organism or ecosystem
What does productivity refer to
The rate at which energy is being fixed and the rate which biomass is accumulating
What type of energy is photons related to
Electromagnetic Energy
What is the speed of light
3 x 10^10cm/s
What are the 2 types of Kinetic energy
Thermal and mechanical
What is the First law of thermal dynamics
Energy can not be created nor destroyed but transferred among states
What is the second law of thermal dynamics
Energy transformation is spontaneous where universal entropy increases
What is the solar constant
the input of energy to earth from the sun
What type of nutrients do plants and other autotrophs absorb
Inorganic Nutrients
Is earth a open or closed system
Closed system
Who has the highest CO2 Emitions per capita
Australia
Who has the highest national emissions of CO2
China
What is Canadas CO2 national Emissions
472 and 14.1 per capita
What is the Density Independent model of population growth
Same as exponetial growth.
What is time lag
Cause of overshooting the carrying capacity. population does not imediatly respond to a variable
What is response time
What is age specific fecundity
Denoted as Mx
the average amounbt of offsprings born at a age
What is Determined Growth
Animal stops growing after a certain age
What is Indetermined growth
Offspring numbers tend to increase with age
What is a example of determined age
Big horn sheep
What is an example of Indetermined growth
Many reptiles and fish
What is a cohort
individuals of the same ages
What is net reproduction rate
the average number of offspring’s (females) produced over the lifetime of an individual
What is Behavioral Ecology
Why animals behave the way that they do
What is Natural Selection
Adaptations that favor the maximizing survival
What is Sexual Selection
Acquiring mates
What is Viability Selection
What is Fitness
Reproduction and survival ship rates
What is optimal foraging theory
describes how food choices and intakes are enhanced to increase fitness
What is a brood parasite
a species that lays its eggs in the nest of another species for incubation and rasing young
What is Physiology
The study of the function of organisms and their parts
What is Physiological Ecology
The study of how organisms function in their envoirment
What is Thermobiology
How animals use their body temperatures
At what temperature can Lichen survive in the artic
Below 0
At what temperature can Sea bacteria live
past 100
What is Metabolism
the
chemical processes
within living organisms
that maintain life
What is Aerobic Metabolism
When oxygen is used to make atp
What is Anaerobic Metabolism
lower efficient Apt production that does not use oxygen
How is Metabolic rate measured
Oxygen consumption or heat production
What is a Ectotherms
Organisms that rely on the external environment as primary heat source
Do Ectotherms Or Exotherms have faster Metabolic Rates
Exotherms have high metabolism while ectotherms have slow rates
WHat is Homeotherms
Organisms that maintain a constant body temp
What is a heterotherms
Organisms that cannot maintain a steady body temp
What is an example of Endothermy/homeothermy interaction
sphynx Moths
How much Metabolism energy is used as heat
3/4
How can Brown adipose tissue produce heat
uses fat to produce heat. no atp is required
What are 3 examples of insulation in animals
Fat, hair, feathers
What is Counter-current exchange
Minimized heat loss in extremities. Warm blood warms cold blood
What is some responses to cold
Rapid movement- Shivering
Vasoconstriction- shrinking organs
Muscle contractions
What are some responses to heat
Sweating and panting
vasodilation
reduced metabolism rate
What is Torpor
relatively short-
term condition of
decreased activity
How does Gas exchange work in the water
Gas exchange occurs in the gils. Requires more energy since water is more viscous then air
What is hibernation
long-term
condition of decreased
activity in cold
temperatures
What is Estivation
decreased
activity in hot
temperatures
What helps keep animals from frezzing in the winter time
Antifreeze proteins
How does gas exchange in air
Occurs in the lungs or the tracheal system
can occur in the skin
What is the important pigment that helps with oxygen flow in the blood
Hemoglobin
What is required for plants to grow
Light
* CO2
* Water
* Mineral nutrients
* Suitable temperature
What are some stessors in plants
Overheating
* Freezing
* Drought
* Anoxic soils
* Acquire CO2 without
losing too much water
* Excessive radiation or
shade
WHat is Photosynthesis stage 1
Light stage of the rxn
Production of ATP, NADPH and O2
Water is release
Light is required
What is the Second stage of Photosynthesis
Dark Reaction
ATP and NADPH is used to fix CO2 into surgars
light is not needed for this rxn
WHat is Photorespiration
Usage of O2 when low levels of Co2 is present
requires high amounts of energy
What is C4 photosynthesis
occurs in the Mesophyll cells
4 carbon atoms transported into bundle sheath
In plants, what is used to capture Co2
Stomata. Leads to water loss
In what plants does CAM occur
Plants with reduced access to water
What is CAM
CO2 capture at night to reduce water loss
