Module 2: Ecosystems

Question 1

Ecosystem

Answer 1

A set of all organisms within a space and the totality of all interactions of these organisms with one another and the physical environment.

NOTE: geographical boundaries are wonky here, the definition is aspatial (lacking)

Question 2

Open System (&example)

Answer 2

Exchanges both energy AND matter with its surroundings.

Example: the everglades

Question 3

Closed System

Answer 3

Energy AND/OR matter not exchanged with the surrounding environment

Example: closest is hydrothermal vents because it is isolated, but still not really closed

Question 4

Reductionism

Answer 4

Breaking apart complex phenomenon into simpler constituent parts of ease of analysis

Question 5

Holism

Answer 5

Studying the entire phenomenon as a complete whole (the whole may be greater than the some of its parts–you may catch something more by looking holistically).

Synergism: 2 effects at once
super-organism: each ecosystem is part of a larger “organism,” like organs in a body system

Question 6

Ecosystem Processes (Function)

Answer 6

Chemical or biological activities and events that link organisms and their environment

Example: Macro-scale models: nutrient cycling; specific processes: decomposition

Question 7

Biomass

Answer 7

(wet or dry) Weight per unit area of the total living biological material; can also be broken down by community or taxonomic groups in an area

Question 8

Production

Answer 8

The amount of biomass, organic matter per area, that accumulates over a given time.

–Depends on factors such as moisture and nutrient availability, temp, growing season length, etc.

Question 9

Primary Production

Answer 9

Production of primary producers

Question 10

Net Primary Production

Answer 10

NPP = Primary Production - Energy used for metabolic energy

Question 11

Secondary Production

Answer 11

Production of consumers

Question 12

Trophic Level

Answer 12

Place in the food chain that an organism occupies; functions on cycling of nutrients and energy

Question 13

Trophic Cascade

Answer 13

An ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or subtraction of a top predator; results in dramatic changes in the ecosystem structure and nutrient cycling

Question 14

Food Web

Answer 14

The interaction among organisms in an ecosystem based on which species are consuming which

Question 15

Biodiversity

Answer 15

Degree of variation of life in a system, and can incorporate genetic, habitat, and species diversity.

Question 16

Shannon Diversity Index

Answer 16

H’ = -1* Summation pi * ln pi

Question 17

Alpha Biodiversity

Answer 17

The diversity within a particular area or ecosystem; (the # of species in that ecosystem)

Question 18

Beta Biodiversity

Answer 18

The change in species diversity between these ecosystems; the total number of species that are UNIQUE to each of the ecosystems being compared.

Question 19

Gamma Biodiversity

Answer 19

The overall diversity for the different ecosystems within a region

Question 20

Ecosystem parameters: Structure

Answer 20

Vertical arrangement of vegetation + soils

Question 21

Ecosystem parameters: Composition

Answer 21

Species present and their abundance; often grouped with structure

Question 22

Ecosystem parameter: Pattern

Answer 22

Horizontal arrangement (often considered as part of structure)

Question 23

Ecosystem parameters: Heterogeneity

Answer 23

Composite of structure, composition, pattern, and the variability over space and time

Question 24

Ecosystem parameters: Function

Answer 24

Ability to perform basic processes, such as energy and nutrient transfers