module 5 - ecology Flashcards

1
Q

define ecology

A

the study of interactions among and between organisms & their environment

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2
Q

the equator has _____ (direct/indirect) sun exposure

A

direct

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3
Q

the northern hemisphere tilts towards the sun during which months?

A

april - september

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4
Q

the southern hemisphere tilts towards the sun during which months?

A

september - april

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5
Q

at high altitudes, air is _____ (more/less) dense, holds _____ (more/less) water, and is _____ (warmer/cooler)

A

less dense, less water, cooler

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6
Q

rotation of air is _____ (faster/slower) at the equator than at the poles

A

faster

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7
Q

define prevailing winds

A

winds that move ocean currents

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8
Q

water has a _____ (high/low) specific heat

A

high

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9
Q

what happens to cells when it is too cold?

A

ice crystals in the cells disrupt membranes

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10
Q

what happens to cells when it is too hot?

A

proteins lose structure & enzymes cannot function

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11
Q

define adaptations

A

specialized traits that allow an organism to survive otherwise unfavorable conditions

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12
Q

define behavioral adaptation

A

altering behavior to survive unfavorable conditions

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13
Q

give 3 examples of behavioral adaptations

A

hibernation, burrowing, migration

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14
Q

define a biome

A

a regional land area defined by climate and geography and characterized by ecologically similar organisms

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15
Q

what is the primary character of a biome?

A

vegetation

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16
Q

what 5 things does vegetation in a biome provide?

A

food, habitat, shelter, protection, nesting sites

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17
Q

give the 7 biome types

A

tropical rain forest
desert (hot or cold)
temperate hardwood wetlands
temperate grasslands
chaparral
temperate evergreen forest
taiga & tundra

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18
Q

what shaped the landscape of tallgrass prairie? explain

A

fire - most trees killed by fires, herbaceous perennials dominate

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19
Q

grassland is _____ (drier/wetter) than woodlands

A

drier

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20
Q

life zones in aquatic environments are defined by what?

A

illumination (shallow, intermediate, deep water)

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21
Q

define estuaries

A

where fresh and saltwater meet

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22
Q

what defines biogeographical areas?

A

barriers that prevent dispersal of species

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23
Q

wallace’s line is an example of what?

A

a biogeographical barrier where species do not disperse

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24
Q

define an area phylogeny

A

a phylogenetic tree created in relation to where species are found, not just what the species is

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25
Q

what is the purpose of an area phylogeny?

A

to see the current geographical distribution of species in relation to other related species to uncover the history of speciation

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26
Q

define populations

A

interacting groups of members of a species

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27
Q

define range

A

the geographical area where a species is likely to be found

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28
Q

define an endemic population range

A

a species limited to a defined location

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29
Q

give an example of an endemic species

A

devil’s hole pupfish live in a very tiny geographical area compared to all other species

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30
Q

define a cosmopolitan population range

A

a widely distributed population

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31
Q

what are the 3 types of population dispersion?

A

clumped, regular, and random

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32
Q

why would a population have clumped dispersal?
give a species example

A

when being together is beneficial and the environment is not uniform
ex. killer whales

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33
Q

why would a population have regular dispersal?
give a species example

A

when being together is harmful
ex. ducks in a large group build their nests in a close proximity, but as far away from each other as possible

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34
Q

why would a population have random dispersal?
give a species example

A

when proximity is not important
ex. weeds

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35
Q

define a full census

A

a counted measure of a population size

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36
Q

what are 2 ways population size can be measured?

A

full census
estimation by representative examples

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37
Q

what is the purpose of a life table?

A

it predicts the future for a population - how long is an individual of a given age likely to live?

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38
Q

what is the purpose of a fecundity table?

A

shows how likely an individual of a given age is to produce offspring

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39
Q

what characterizes a type 1 survivorship curve?
give a species example

A

most individuals survive to reproduction
few offspring & long lives
ex. humans

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40
Q

what characterizes a type 2 survivorship curve?
give a species example

A

constant risk of mortality at all ages
ex. most birds

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41
Q

what characterizes a type 3 survivorship curve?
give a species example

A

most individuals die as juveniles
many offspring, low parental care
ex. mollusks & insects

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42
Q

what is r=b-d?

A

the Rate of population growth = the rate of Births - the rate of Deaths

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43
Q

does exponential growth of a species exist in real life?

A

a population can experience a period of exponential growth, but a certain circumstance (like overpopulation & lack of resources) will typically stop it

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44
Q

define carrying capacity

A

the number of organisms in a population that a region can support without environmental degradation

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45
Q

as the population size reaches the carrying capacity (K), population growth ______ (speeds up/slows down)

A

slows down

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46
Q

what are the 2 types of population regulation factors?

A

density dependent (biotic)
density independent (abiotic)

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47
Q

what characterizes density dependent (biotic) population regulation (3)

A

scarce food = slowed birth rate & faster death rate
large pops attract predators
dense populations pass disease quicker

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48
Q

what characterizes density independent (abiotic) population regulation (2)

A

natural disturbances (extreme weather)
reduction of population regardless of density

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49
Q

give 4 reasons why a species may be more or less abundant in their habitat

A

preference of food source
body size
social vs solitary behavior
native vs introduced species

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50
Q

define an antagonistic species interaction

A

one species benefits, one is harmed

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51
Q

define a mutualism species interaction

A

both species benefit

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52
Q

define a competition species interaction

A

neither species benefits

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53
Q

define a commensalism species interaction

A

one species benefits, the other is unaffected

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54
Q

define an amensalism species interaction

A

one species is harmed, the other is unaffected

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55
Q

what are 3 types of antagonistic interactions?

A

predation (predator-prey)
herbivory (herbivore-plant)
parasitism (parasite/pathogen-host)

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56
Q

define a species’ niche

A

the set of physical and biological conditions a species requires for survival, growth, and reproduction

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57
Q

two species _____ (can/cannot) permanently coexist if their niches are identical

A

cannot

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58
Q

define resource partitioning

A

a situation in which competing organisms (usually of different species) differ in their use of resources in order to coexist

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59
Q

define coevolution

A

the influence of closely associated species on each other in their evolution - results in an evolutionary “arms race”

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60
Q

give 4 characteristics of a predator

A

fast
strong
sharp claws
teeth

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61
Q

give 3 characteristics of prey

A

big eyes and ears
high rate of reproduction
cryptic coloration

62
Q

what kind of characteristic typically defines an aposematism interaction?

A

toxic/poisonous prey - predator often killed, but prey is too

63
Q

________ can warn a predator of toxic prey

A

bright coloration

64
Q

what are 6 plant defenses against herbivory?

A

toxins
thorns
hairs
waxy cuticle
silica in cell walls
production of attractants for predators of herbivores when attacked

65
Q

define microparasites

A

bacteria, viruses, or protists that dwell inside a host, reducing vigor

66
Q

define macroparasites

A

worms, small bugs, parasitic wasps, and some plants can live inside or outside of a host

67
Q

when hosts evolve anti-parasite defenses, the parasite often ______

A

coevolves

68
Q

what is often a source of competitive interactions?

A

different species depending on the same prey/resources

69
Q

competition is ______ (stable/unstable)

A

unstable - one species eventually becomes locally extinct

70
Q

define an ecological community

A

a group of species that coexist and interact in a defined area

71
Q

define primary producers

A

convert sunlight into chemical energy and use it to form energy-rich organic compounds

72
Q

primary producers are consumed by _______

A

heterotrophs

73
Q

define gross primary production

A

the amount of stored chemical energy from photosynthesis

74
Q

T or F: all GPP made by primary producers is available to the consumers

A

false - the NET primary production is available to consumers

75
Q

what percentage of energy at one trophic level is transferred to the next?

A

10%

76
Q

what are 3 reasons why energy is lost when transferred between trophic levels?

A

heat production
availability - not all is ingestible or harvestable
digestibility - not all parts of all bodies can be digested

77
Q

much of a forest’s primary producer biomass _____ (is/is not) digestible. they support ______ (fewer/many) consumers

A

is not
fewer consumers

78
Q

what limits productivity of a species?

A

amount of energy (sunlight) available

79
Q

higher productivity supports _____ (higher/lower) diversity of species

A

higher

80
Q

at very high levels of productivity, diversity _____ (increases/decreases)

A

decreases

81
Q

define a trophic cascade

A

the effects of abundances of species at one trophic level on species at other trophic levels

82
Q

define a keystone species

A

species that have a disproportionate influence of a community - i.e. species richness and # of trophic levels

83
Q

give 2 examples of a keystone species

A

wolves in yellowstone
sea otters

84
Q

define a diversity index

A

a quantitative tool used to assess diversity in a specific community
- developed by ecologists to examine the number and density of species in a community

85
Q

a diversity index is based on _____

A

the predictability of random sampling picking a particular species

86
Q

______ (high/low) diversity is found near the equator and _____ (high/low) diversity is found further from the equator

A

high, low

87
Q

what are the 3 different patterns of diversity

A

alpha, beta, and gamma

88
Q

define alpha diversity

A

a single community can be more or less diverse

89
Q

define beta community

A

multiple communities near each other can have the same or different diversity

90
Q

define gamma community

A

many of a region’s communities can vary in diversity

91
Q

what 4 factors can determine how diverse a community is?

A

geographical distance from the equator
energy availability
water availability
size of landmass - continents vs islands

92
Q

what 4 factors vary population size?

A

birth
death
immigration
emigration

93
Q

define a species pool

A

a source of new animals living on a land mass

94
Q

______ (smaller/larger) population have higher extinction rates

A

smaller

95
Q

define species equilibrium

A

when the number of species ariving equals the number of species going extinct

96
Q

define succession

A

when a disturbance occurs, especially on a large scale, communities are often able to reassemble themselves

97
Q

define a climax (succession)

A

succession finally resulting in a stable community - ex. climax forest

98
Q

why are low diversity communities so fragile?

A

each species is a larger target for a predator or pathogen - increases likelihood of extinction

99
Q

what 2 sets of things are included in an ecosystem?

A

all organisms within the defined area
physical and chemical factors that influence the organisms

100
Q

what allows for earth’s continuous energy input

A

the sun

101
Q

______ drives processes that move matter around the planet

A

energy

102
Q

define flux

A

the rate of energy movement

103
Q

define an energy pool

A

materials move around at different rates & can stall in one location

104
Q

what are the 4 compartments of the global ecosystem?

A

atmosphere
oceans
land
fresh water

105
Q

how is energy lost as it moves through ecosystems?

A

energy is lost as it moves to successive trophic levels

106
Q

what is the significance of the percentage of oxygen in earth’s atmosphere?

A

it all came from photosynthesis - there was no oxygen when life first began

107
Q

what characteristic defines the troposphere?

A

general air circulation moves air up and down

108
Q

what characteristic defines the stratosphere?

A

horizontal circulation moves air in horizontal layers

109
Q

what are the 3 greenhouse gases?

A

CO2
CH4 (methane)
N2O (nitrous oxide)

110
Q

what is the significance of the ozone layer?

A

it absorbs UV light and protects organisms from excessive UV damage

111
Q

most material that cycles through land, air, and fresh water ends up where?

A

in oceans

112
Q

define upwelling zones

A

lower level ocean water is brought up to the surface

113
Q

the global conveyor belt is also known as what?

A

thermohaline circulation

114
Q

what is the global conveyor belt?

A

circulation of ocean water in a specific direction

115
Q

what causes the global conveyor belt?

A

when ice forms at the poles, ice is excluded which makes the rest of the water saltier. the water gets more dense with the salt and sinks to the bottom, which creates these currents

116
Q

how long does it take for a global conveyor belt cycle to complete?

A

1000 years

117
Q

what is the benefit of the global conveyor belt?

A

it moderates temperature and distributes nutrients

118
Q

why is the global conveyor belt beginning to slow down

A

less ice is freezing = less current

119
Q

define lake turnover

A

in temperate climates, seasonal temp changes result in a mixing of lake components

120
Q

which seasons does lake turnover occur?

A

spring and fall

121
Q

what fraction of earth’s surface is land?

A

1/4

122
Q

solar energy enters ecosystems through what?

A

plants, photosynthetic protists, and bacteria

123
Q

net primary production is highest where? why?

A

closest to the equator because it gets the most direct sun exposure

124
Q

define the biogeochemical cycle

A

the cycle of essential elements for life through biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem

125
Q

what are the essential elements for life?

A

carbon
hydrogen
oxygen
phosphorus
potassium
nitrogen
sulfer
calcium
iron
(CHOPKNS CaFe)

126
Q

more than half of the freshwater carried to oceans comes from which 4 rivers?

A

nile
amazon
mississippi
yangtze

127
Q

how fast does water cycle through rivers?

A

fast - water moves in and out in 1-2 years

128
Q

fires are responsible for what percentage of carbon flux?

A

40%

129
Q

how are humans affecting groundwater availability?

A

irrigation for crops
groundwater is being depleted
some human populations will lose access to drinking water

130
Q

what is the most abundant element in the universe?

A

hydrogen

131
Q

all important macromolecules in organisms contain what element?

A

carbon

132
Q

the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is believed to be from where?

A

volcanic eruptions

133
Q

where to heterotrophs gain carbon from?

A

by consuming autotrophs and other heterotrophs

134
Q

carbon ____ (can/cannot) be stored in soil

A

can

135
Q

most carbon on earth is in what places?

A

in soils, rocks, marine sediments, and dissolved in ocean water

136
Q

why do land plants need carbon?

A

sugars for metabolism and cellulose for cell walls

137
Q

what is the purpose of lignin?

A

it makes cell walls very strong and undigestible

138
Q

fossilized remains are carbon _____ (absent/rich)

A

rich

139
Q

more than half of CO2 from burning fossil fuels ends up where?

A

dissolved in the ocean

140
Q

how is the increasing carbon in the ocean affecting its pH?

A

water is becoming more acidic

141
Q

when CO2 levels are low, glaciation is _____ (high/low)

A

high

142
Q

how do increasing atmospheric CO2 levels affect earth?

A

increasing temperature
more extreme weather events
outbreaks of disease
affects distribution of interacting species

143
Q

which mineral element most often limits primary production?

A

nitrogen

144
Q

all protein synthesis requires that organisms have which element?

A

sulfur

145
Q

most sulfur on earth is where?

A

in rocks

146
Q

burning fossil fuels releases sulfur into the atmosphere, which has what affect?

A

increases cloud cover which reduces photosynthetic rate

147
Q

sulfur and nitrogen react with water to form what?

A

acid rain

148
Q

nucleic acids require what element?

A

phosphorus

149
Q

define eutrophication

A

excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen

150
Q

what is the goal of conservation biology?

A

to protect and manage biological diversity