Midterm Flashcards
Why is it important for humans (and us in ecological restoration), to understand the PDO? (2 marks)
-It is a normal climate cycle up to 10 years
-It is important because we should know the patterns of weather changes for a site
-It is also important to know about to differentiate between PDO and climate change
-Predict weather changes
Long term planning and monitoring
Long term effects of climate at project
Thinking back to the 1800s, list four factors that improved the human population around the globe.
- immunization
- disinfection of drinking water
- pasteurization of food
- increased sanitization
What are four large-scale factors that have affected earth’s climate?
- Plate tectonics
- Volcanic eruptions
- Solar flares
- Earth’s orbit
Give an example of a keystone species, and describe its importance in an ecosystem.
An example of a keystone species is the salmon. It supports 137 species in its ecosystem. It is important because its role in the ecosystem is disproportinatly larger compared to its relative abundance. If something happens to a keystone species, it would greatly alter the ecosystem.
What is Habitat Connectivity? Describe why this is critical to species survival.
Habitat Connectivity is the degree on which a habitats are connected. It is critical to species survival because a species uses different types of habitats throughout its life cycle, such as breeding and feeding. If habitat connectivity is lost, a species might not be able to reach a recourse it needs to survive, or its route will become much more dangerous for a species.
Who discovered ENSO?
Walker
What is a feedback loop?
A feedback loop is when the outcome of a situation causes the situation to become more exasperated, and the cycle continues. It can be either a positive or negative loop.
What are some of the possible negative ecological/ climatic impacts of El Nino? (3 marks)
Increased erosion
Wildlife
Heavy rain and flooding on PWC
Warmer waters in South America cause the fish to move to colder areas or further down in waters, which cause problems for fishermen.
Briefly define ‘stability’ as it relates to ecology and ecosystems.
Stability references to the frequency and magnitude of disturbances to an ecoystem.
Low stability means the ecosystem has many large disturbances and is more able to bounce back to its original state rather then an alternate stable state
High stability results in the ecosystem having very little resilliene and thus is more vulnerable to becoming an alternate stable state following a disturbance .
What kind of “restoration” would construction of willow sieves, or willow dams be considered?
Restoration bio-enginering
Describe the each organism in the predator prey relationship and why predation is important. Give a species example of this dynamics (3 marks).
Organisms kill and capture other Organisms , it increase biodiversity and competition, the species being hunted is the prey and the hunter is the predator
Predation is important to prevent one species from over competing other species. An example is wolves keeping the deer population under control.
How long does it take for El Nino to shift phases?
2-7 years
What is the major difference between “restoration” and “reclamation” from an ecological perspective? Define both.
Restoration is returning an area to its original species composition, structure, and processes.
Reclamation is usually refering to reclaming an area after mining to midigate hazards and erosion assurance of public safety, return to a useful purpose, bank stabilization
What does the PDO stand for in relation to long-term climate cycles?
Pacific Decadal Oscillation
Explain the equilibrium number within the concept of Island Biogeography Theory. Explain the key concepts of this theory related to distance and size
An island larger and closer to mainland has a higher equalibrium number.
An island smaller and furhter to mainland has a lower equalibrium number.
It is rate thatd species immigrates vs extinction.
When an island is closer to the mainland it is easier for a species to repopulate it.
