Semester One Final (Science) Flashcards
A lava flow that travels down a forested mountainside, felling and burning the trees
Disturbance
A positive species interaction must be good for who?
At least one of the species involved
The building of roads most immediately results in what?
Habitat fragmentation
Which sub field of ecology is most related to the management of Earth’s natural resources?
Ecosystem ecology
Which biome has large amounts of precipitation, a stable yearlong climate, and high biodiversity?
Tropical rainforests
Which entity is the biggest driving force of energy-dependent processes in Earth’s ecosystems?
The sun
True or false? “The set of alleles that cause a particular jaguar to have pure black fur” is an example of a genotype
True
Which field of study incorporates subjects as disparate as geology and philosophy?
Environmental studies
What is an estuary?
Where a river enters an ocean
What is an example of the first law of thermodynamics?
A snake eats an entire rat, but gains energy and grows
Which term refers to the levels of biomass an ecosystem generates?
Production
Which hypothesis states that the larger a region is, the greater biodiversity it should have?
The geographic area hypothesis
What is permafrost?
A layer of soil under the surface of a tundra that remains perpetually frozen
Which term describes the process during which organisms break down organic matter into simple nutrients?
Decomposition
True or false? “The polar regions of the planet have lower biodiversity than the equatorial regions”
True
How does nitrogen enter cycles in terrestrial ecosystems?
Bacteria fix nitrogen so plants can use it
What is one example of a primary producer?
A tulip
True or false? “Ecological ecosystems are made up of only one species”
False
What would most likely happen to a lion population in response to an increase of the size of a population of antelope on which it preys?
The lion population would increase in size
What is an example of a biotic invasion?
A species enters a region to which it is not indigenous
Which term describes a series of ecosystem patches?
A landscape
How are humans most influencing climate change?
They are producing greenhouse gases
True or false? “Climate change is becoming an urgent problem that we cannot ignore”
True
Dead organic matter that collects on the soil surface is called what?
Litter
What does ecological succession describe?
The way in which species populate a new region in stages
Which term describes an ecological relationship in which one species eats part of its host?
Parasitism
Which ecological term represents the rareness or commonness of a species in a community?
Eveness
When a community runs out of steps in the process of succession, it becomes a what?
Climax community
To which concept does the phrase “think globally, act locally” most refer?
Sustainability
India’s population is currently following which type of growth pattern?
An exponential growth pattern
What is an interspecies relationship of mutualism?
A relationship that helps both species
True or false? “A heterotroph consumes other organic material”
True
What is the size of the population of dingoes?
It has 34 members
Which term describes an organism that uses energy from sunlight to make organic compounds?
Autotroph
What is true of ecological edge effects?
Edges contain species that belong to more than one ecosystem
What is one characteristic of the O horizon of soil?
It contains dead plant matter
What is the highest level of ecological organization?
Biosphere
Humans reached a population of one billion soon after which event?
The Industrial Revolution
What term refers to the first species that settles in an area following a disturbance?
Pioneer species
Which term refers to a region with high biodiversity that humans are threatening?
A biodiversity hotspot
Why does primary production decrease with depth in aquatic ecosystems?
The amount of light decreases with depth
What is a top predator?
An animal that has prey but no animals prey on it
How does proximity to the coast affect a region’s climate?
Being closer to the coast results in a more stable climate
What purpose does the scientific method serve for ecology?
It helps provide explanations for phenomena
Which term describes a situation in which humans hunt local buffalo until there are almost none left?
Overkill
True or false? “A worm breaks down pieces of soil” is a biotic interaction
False
Which characteristic of seawater has caused both plants and animals living near the ocean to develop special glands?
It’s salinity
Which land features characteristics a landscape that has coarse grain?
It is made up of relatively large ecosystem patches
Which term describes the ecological phenomenon in which cool water from a deep ocean rises to the surface, replenishing it with nutrients?
Upwelling
The hypothesis that states that biodiversity occurs more in areas in which speciation occurs faster is called the what?
Evolutionary speed hypothesis
