Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Bio 2263 (Ecology) > Test 1 > Flashcards

Test 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of a model?

A

An abstract, simplified representation of a real system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the pathway from an observation to a hypothesis?

A

An observation of a natural phenomenon leads to a question that seeks an explanation. A hypothesis is a potential answer to that question that takes the form of a statement of cause and effect.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is an example of an emergent property principle?

A

Species interactions, effects of a whole forest, predation, mutualism, most of what we talked about in this class (An emergent property cannot be predicted from the study of components that are isolated from the whole unit.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the three components of an ecosystem?

A

Input from environment -> System -> Output to environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How can an hypothesis be proven?

A

It can’t ya dummy (only supported)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the first law of thermodynamics? How does it relate to this class?

A

Energy can be transformed but not created or destroyed. All energy in system ultimately came from the sun

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the second law of thermodynamics? How does it relate to this class?

A

No process involving an energy transformation will occur unless there is a degradation of energy from a concentrated form into a dispersed from. Not all energy from a specimen makes it to the next trophic level (only 10%)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the underlying difference between an autotrophic and heterotrophic ecosystem?

A

If an ecosystem has positive net energy, it is autotrophic. If an ecosystem has negative net energy, it is heterotrophic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the efficiency of incorporation sun energy into ecosystems?

A

5 million kcal/m2 comes in from sunlight, 1-2 million reach autotrophic levels. Only 1-3% of sun energy is converted to organic matters by photosynthesis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

About how much energy is transferred to the next trophic level?

A

10% of the energy in that specimen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the top five most productive terrestrial ecosystems?

A 
Swamps and Marshes (AKA wetlands/estuaries)
Tropical rainforest
Tropical seasonal forest
Temperate evergreen forest
Temperate deciduous forest
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the four energy-based classifications of ecosystems?

A

Unsubsidized natural solar-powered
Naturally subsidized solar-powered
Human-subsidized solar-powered
Fuel-powered urban-industrial

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe an “unsubsidized natural solar-powered” ecosystem. Give an example

A

Relies largely or entirely on sunlight. Open oceans, upland forests, grasslands.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe a “naturally subsidized solar-powered” ecosystem. Give an example

A

Mainly solar power, subsidized by rain and tidal waves. (Water partly recycles mineral nutrients and transports food and wastes, organisms can concentrate on energy conversion) Tidal estuaries, some rain forests.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe a “human-subsidized solar-powered” ecosystem. Give an example

A

Subsidized by fuel, wind, water-powered electricity. Human communities, agriculture, aquaculture.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe a “fuel-powered urban industrial system”. Give an example

A

Use very little sun energy, very heterotrophic. Cities, suburbs, industrial parks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

In addition to carbon, which gas is a major contributor to global warming?

A

Methane, 20% of our atmosphere, produced by livestock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the definition of physiological ecology?

A

The study of how an individual organism interacts with their environment to carry out biochemical processes and express the behavioral adaptations that accomplish homeostasis and survival

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the definition of behavioral ecology?

A

The study on how a plant or animals behavior is adapted to its environment via evolution. (Looks for an evolutionary basis for animal behavior)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the definition of population ecology?

A

The study of population dynamics over time. (How the population changes, how it interacts with the environment)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the definition of community ecology?

A

The study of living components of ecosystems; focuses on patterns and processes. (Study of how different populations interact with each other/themselves)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the definition of ecosystem ecology?

A

The study of the interactions of biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems and their interactions within an ecosystem framework.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the definition of landscape ecology?

A

The study of how variations in topography and soils across a specific region influence patterns of species composition and diversity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the definition of conservation ecology?

A

Applies principles from different fields, including ecology, economics, and sociology to preserve biodiversity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What did he teach us about Formosan mountain goats?
They are endangered, you can determine growth by rings in horns and annual rings in teeth
26
What did he teach us about Minivets and cowbirds?
Cowbirds protect minivets from eagles, minuets stir up insects, example of a mutualistic relationship
27
What did he teach us about Formosan salamanders?
He told a story about the snakes the threw up the salamanders ?(Anything else)?
28
What is net radiation?
The difference between the amount of shortwave (solar) radiation absorbed by a surface and the amount of long wave radiation emitted back into space by that surface
29
How is the wavelength of radiation related to temperature
The smaller the wavelength the higher the temperature
30
Describe the Coriolis effect
The result of the earth's rotation, if an object moves away from the equator at a constant speed it speeds up and deflects to the east. If it moves towards the equator it deflects to the west. Responsible for the direction of ocean currents, storms
31
What are the vernal and autumnal equinoxes?
Equinox means "equal night", the day and night are nearly the same length. The sun is directly above the equator
32
What causes the summer and winter solstice?
Summer- the sun is overhead the tropic of Cancer | Winter- the sun is overhead the tropic of Capricorn
33
What are the factors that lead to the belts and cells of air circulation?
Topography and air density (changes with distance from equator)
34
What are the factors that determine the global pattern of precipitation?
Temperature, winds, the ocean current
35
What is are the consequences of the El Nino-Southern Osicllation (ENSO)?
waters in E Pacific warm up, trade winds weaken, more rain in Peru, less in Australia/Indonesia
36
What are the major sources of acid rain? Name the two chemicals
SOx and NOx produce sulfuric and nitric acids that fall on New England (various sulfur and nitric oxides, can include SO2, NO, NO2)
37
What is the definition of a population? (five factors)
A group of INTERBREEDING and INTERACTING individuals of the SAME SPECIES living in the SAME PLACE at the SAME TIME
38
What is the difference between stolons, rhizomes, and clones?
Stolons- specialized stems that grow above the ground Rhizomes- specialized stems the grow below the ground Clones- woody plants, form surface roots
39
What is a genet? Ramet?
A genet is a plant produced by sexual reproduction, ramets are modules produces asexually by a genet
40
What are the population dispersion patterns?
Uniform: Individuals are evenly spaced; results from competition Random: Independent of the others; invertebrates on the forest floor, spiders Clumped: most common; results from responses to habitat differences, daily and seasonal weather changes, reproductive patterns, and social behavior
41
What is crude density vs ecology density? How do you calculate them?
Crude density is the number of individuals per unit area/volume Ecological density is the number of individuals per unit of living space (will therefore be larger)
42
Describe the capture-recapture method (Lincoln-Peterson Index) to determine population size. What does it assume?
Uses ratios of recaptured/tagged. Assumes no immigration/emigration, no birth/death, equal chance of getting caught, enough time to remix
43
What are the factors that determine/restrict the distribution of a population?
``` Geographical barriers (water, mountain, unsuitable habitat) Interactions with other species (competition and predation) ```
44
What is a metapopulation?
A population broken into sets of subpopulations held together by dispersal or moments between them. Each subpopulation has its own features.
45
What are some methods used to sample and determine the size of a population?
``` Sample random quadrants (transect line estimation) Pellet-group counting Radiotelemetry GPS Geographic Information System Pit-tagging Skin tattooing ```
46
What are some ways to determine an animals age?
Wear/replacement of teeth, growth rings in horns, plumage changes and wear, growth rings on scales and fish ear bones, size of skull, length of horn, length of lower jaw, rings on pre-molar teeth
47
What are some ways to determine a plants age?
Counting annual rings, estimate with diameter at breast height
48
What is the difference between life expectancy and age-specific expectancy?
Life expectancy is the average number of years an individual is expected to live from the time of its birth. Age-specific life expectancy is the average number of years an individual of a certain age is expected to live into the future
49
What does an age pyramid do?
Show percentage of population each age group; used to determine population growth
50
Describe the primary sex ratio and secondary sex ratio?
Primary sex ratio is 1:1 at conception, secondary sex ratio has mammals slightly weighted towards males, sex ratio will shift toward females or males in older age classes, depending on environment
51
Describe the gypsy moth
Brought into the US from Eurasia in 1869 to breed with silkworms, escaped and now extend through much of Northern US, defoliated millions of trees and feed on over 500 plant species, the assholes
52
Describe bighead and silver carps
Bighead: brought in on purpose for fisheries, broke through to great lakes despite electrical fields and toxins Silver: brought in on purpose to control other invasive species, eat a lot of algae Both: invasive species from Asia
53
Describe purple loosestrife
invasive species from Europe, brought in on purpose for landscaping, eliminates native plants in wetlands
54
Describe the Australian paperback tree
invasive species from Australia, brought in on purpose for landscaping, eliminates native plants in Florida
55
What are the two types of population growth? Which is more common? Why?
Exponential and logistic, logistic is more common due to abiotic and biotic factors pushing growth away from exponential
56
If X is the age class in years and Nx is the number alive at age X, how do you find age-specific survivorship, age-specific mortality, age-specific mortality rate, age-specific life expectancy, average alive during an age interval, and years lived into the future by age class X?
``` X= age classes in years Nx= number alive at age X lX= age-specific survivorship, NX/N0 Dx= age-specific mortality, Nx - NX+1 QX= age-specific mortality rate, Dx/Nx EX= age-specific life expectancy (years into future), TX/NX LX= average # alive during age interval, (NX+NX+1)/2 TX= years lived into future by age X, LX+Lx+Lx of interest ```
57
Calculate age specific life expectancy
``` EX= age-specific life expectancy (years into future), TX/NX LX= average # alive during age interval, (NX+NX+1)/2 TX= years lived into future by age X, LX+Lx+Lx of interest ```
58
What are the three types of survivorship curves and what types of animals exhibit each?
Type 1, strongly convex (mammals, some plants) Type 2, straight (adult birds, rodents, reptiles, perennial plants) Type 3, concave (oysters, fish, invertebrates, plants)
59
What is the inflection point of a population growth curve? What is its significance?
Maximum population growth rate (continues to grow, just slower) Near carrying capacity, start to worry about density dependent disease
60
What does minimum viable population mean?
Smallest stable population (gene diversity, etc)
61
What are some density dependent factors that influence population dynamics?
genetic variability | increased vulnerability to random events
62
What are some density independent factors that influence population dynamics?
extreme environmental events | changes in regional and global climate
63
What is the leading cause of current global population declines and extinctions?
Habitat loss due to human activities
64
Describe the St. Paul reindeer story
Government placed 25 reindeer on island of St. Paul to provide meat for native residents, within 30 years the population grow to over 2000, then had massive population crash due to overgrazing/starvation
65
Define keystone species
a species whose activities have a significant role in determining community structure
66
What is CITES?
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
67
What is IUCN? What does it do?
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature | Publish IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
68
What are hellbenders?
Nocturnal aquatic salamander that lives under flat bedrock in swift-flowing rivers
69
Describe the distribution of Ozark and Eastern hellbender
Ozark is endemic to a small area of Missouri/Arkansas | Eastern is found all over Northeast US
70
Give some possible causes of the decline in hellbender populations
``` Predation Competition/Food shortage Gigging/Accidental catch Commercial harvest Siltation Channelization ```
71
Give some examples of the chemical pollutants in hellbender habitats
Plasticizers, herbicide, pesticide metabolite, heavy metals
72
Describe the estrogenic compounds found in hellbender populations and their effects on female features and reproductive function
2-chloro-s-triazine converts testosterone into estradiol Lowers male fertility and causes secondary health issues Makes testes look like ovaries and vice versa
73
Describe Kudzu
An ornamental vine from Asia that spread throughout the southern US, outcompeting other plants and smothering them
74
What are the two population growth models? Which is more common?
Exponential- J shaped growth, Logistic- S shaped growth. Logistic is more common, as the growth rate slows asymptotically as it approaches the carrying capacity
75
plot survivorship curves
Survivorship Curve: lX (Log10 Scale) vs Age
76
Talk about the ecological issues on Madagascar?
90% of plants and animals there are endemic. Most live in tropical rainforest habitats, which have declined to the point where less than 10% remains
77
Talk about the extinction of dinosaurs
KT extinction (boundary of Tertiary and Cretaceous), populations of protists lowered very quickly, soil samples from Yucatan show iridium, meteor crater shows 10^8 megatons of TNT
78
Talk about the shrinking of the Great Plains and species extinction
Agriculture has expanded greatly since mid-1800s, over 80% of grasslands have been converted to other land use. This effects grassland birds and migratory species (rely on habitat in two or more areas to live)
79
What are some species characteristics and environmental factors that affect the rate of extinction?
Large body size, small range, specialists, lack of genetic variability. Habitat destruction, habitat alteration, climate change
80
What five factors of value did the ESA recognize?
“esthetic, ecological, educational, | recreational, and scientific value"
81
What is the purpose of the ESA?
to protect and recover imperiled species
82
When evaluating a species for listing, what does the FWS consider?
When evaluating a species for listing, the FWS considers five factors: 1) damage to, or destruction of, a species’ habitat; 2) overutilization of the species for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; 3) disease or predation; 4) inadequacy of existing protection; and 5) other natural or manmade factors that affect the continued existence of the species.
83
Talk about Habitat conservation plans
``` Section 10 of the ESA may be used by landowners (private citizens, corporations, Tribes, States, and counties) to develop property inhabited by listed species. Landowners receive a permit to take such species, provided they have developed an approved habitat conservation plan (HCP) (include assessment of the likely impacts, steps that will be taken to avoid/ minimize/mitigate impacts, and the funding) ```
84
Extra Information: What was the state that first identified deformed frogs?
Minnesota
85
Extra Information: When was the ESA (or endangered species act) introduced?
1973
86
Extra Information: _________ is mobilized from the sediment of a river/lake when the pH drops to 5.3 or lower, leading to the killing of tadpoles
alumimum
87
Extra Information: zebra mussels are native to ______________________
South Russia
88
Extra Information: Exotic species enter the Great Lakes mainly through _________
Lawrence River
89
Extra Information: ______ was suspected to contribute to the early failure of the hellbender captive breeding program
nitrogen
90
Extra Information: The largest salamander in the world is the ________________
chinese giant salamander
91
Extra Information: The adult sex ratio in birds tends to tilt towards _________
males
92
Extra Information: Hellbenders are ___ dimorphic during the non-breeding season
not sexually
93
Extra Information: 2-chloro-s-triazine can induce aromatase which converts ______________
testerone to estrogen

Bio 2263 (Ecology) (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions