Unit 1 Ecology Flashcards
Conducting research variables/ Tradgedy of the Commons/ Nitrogen Cycle/Carbon Cycle
Tragedy of the Commons
People over using public resources
Hypothesis
A specific, testable prediction about the outcome of the experiment
Qualitive
Descriptive, non-numerical information collected about the experiment
Repeated trials
Increase accuracy and validity of the data by ensuring that similar results occur more than once
Quantitative
Numerical information collected about the experiment
Experimental group
The subjects that receive the changed conditions in the exxperiment
Control group
The subjects that remain in the original, unchanged conditions in order to provide a baseline for comparison
Controlled variables
Same as constants!
Dependent variables
Factors that are measured, they respond to changes
Constants
These must be kept as close to identical as possible among all the subjects or it won’t be clear what is affecting the outcome
Independent
This is the factor being changed, there should be only one per experiment
Large Sample size
This will increase accuracy and validity of the data by lessening the effect of any outliers.
Photosynthesis Formula
6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Herbivore
Eats only plants
Carnivore
Eats only meat
Omnivore
Eats both plants and animals
5 Steps of Nitrogen Cycle
1) Nitrogen Fixation
2) Ammonification
3) Nitrification
4) Assimilation
5) Denitrification
Nitrogen Fixation
Bacteria transforms nitrogen gas into ammonia(absorbed by plants)
Ammonification
Decomposers take the decaying matter that consists of nitrogen and create ammonia and ammonium
Nitrification
Bacteria transforms ammonia into nitrite. Then nitrite into nitrates which can be absorbed and used by plants.
Assimilation
Plants are now absorbing the ammonia and/or nitrate through their roots to make proteins
Denitrification
Bacteria converting some nitrates in the soil into nitrogen gas(this is released into the atmosphere)
Ammensalism
harmed/neutral
Mutualism
Benefit/ Benefit
Commensalism
Neutral/Benefit
Competition
Two or more individuals competing for the same resources
Interspecific
Competition between two DIFFERENT Species
Intraspecific
Competition WITHIN the SAME species
Carbon Cycle
Assists in developing the 4 major macromolecules
First Law of Thermodynamics
Matter cannot be created nor destroyed
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Each time energy is transferred, some is lost by heat
GPP(Gross Plant Productivity)
amount of sun energy plants used to create energy
NPP(Net Plant Productivity)
The amount of energy harnessed by producers minus the energy used up by said producers
Gene Diversity
How different individuals in a species population are
Species Diversity
the number of different species in an ecosystem and the balance or evenness of the pop. sizes of ALL species in the ecosystem
Bottlenecking event
An event that significantly reduces the genetic and species diversity. This event forces all species to adapt quickly if they don’t want to die or become extinct.
Generalist Species
Much smaller, bigger populations, and they adapt easily.
Specialist Species
More vulnerable to bottle neck events. Have a specific diet and tend to be a larger size.
Biogeography
Two islands, different distances from the mainland, have different extinction rates, which is explained by the theory of island
Pioneer Community
A pioneer community is the first biotic community to emerge in a bare area.
Climax Community
The ideal community(Old forest) where the the plant and animal populations are stable.
HIPPCO
Habitat Destruction
Invasion or Non-Native
Population and Resource Growth
Pollution
Climate Change
Over exploitation
Habitat Fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation is when parts of habitats are destroyed, leaving behind smaller unconnected areas. This decreases the populations of larger organisms drastically due to them prior to living in the inside of habitats.
