Unit 2 Evolution Flashcards
what is ecology?
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment and with each other.
Biotic factors
Living and biological compound, ex plants, animals etc
Abiotic factors
non living compound, ex rocks, water, wind etc
Biotic limiting factors
Competition , predators, parasites, human interference
Abiotic limiting factors
Space/shelter, average temp, food/inorganic nutrients, water availability, soil type, sunlight, wind speed
Levels of organization?
Biosphere>ecosystem>community>population>organism>organ system>organ>tissue>cell>molecule>atom
What is a biome?
A large scale ecosystem
Where is a biome found?
Around the world ex, tundra, grassland
How are biomes distributed
Based on climate (temperature and rainfall)
What is climate and rainfall influenced by?
Incoming solar radiation that increases energy (heat) which results in density changes in the air and in the water.
What does solar radiation affect?
1 .Rise and fall of air masses
2. Evaporation or precipitation of moisture
3. Ocean currents
What are the 6 biomes in Alberta?
1.Muskeg
2.Boreal forest
3.Grassland
4.Rocky mountains
5.Parkland
6.Canadian shield
Things about the Muskeg
-Cold temperatures
-Short growing seasons
-Permafrost layer beneath the soil
-Low precipitation (50-150 cm/year)
-Black bear, caribou, moss, lichens, rapid flowering plants
Things about the Boreal forest
-Also called taiga
-Northern and central Alberta
-Changeable weather
-Soil contains some water and is acidic
-Precipitation -50-250cm/year
-Black and grizzly bears, wolverines, weasels, grouse, deer, moose, owls, spruce, pine, shrubs, ferns, mosses and lichens.
Things about the Grassland
-Central and southern Alberta
-Increased sunlight and warmer temperatures than other ecosystems
-Rich fertile soil
-Precipitation 25-100cm/year
-Bison, deer, rabbits,grasses, grasshoppers, hawks..
Things about the Rocky mointains
-Western Alberta
-Harsh climates up high, mild in valleys
-Polar, pine, spruce, fir, deer, bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats..
Things about Parkland
-Central Alberta
-Increased temperature and sunlight compared to the rest of Alberta
-Rich soil
-Precipitation -75-250cm/year
-Black bears, weasels, moose, deer, woodpeckers, deciduous trees, shrubs.
Things about the Canadian shield
-North eastern most part of Alberta
-Harshest temperatures
-Permafrost in some areas (land frozen all year long)
-Short warm summers, long Cold winters
-Precipitaion 145cm/year
-Moose, beavers, wolves, lynx, spruce, pine, blueberries, lichen, moss, grasses
Different ecosystems have a variety of habitats, TRUE or FALSE?
TRUE
What is a habitat?
An area with a particular set of biotic and abiotic characteristics
Within each habitat are various of different ecological niches, TRUE or FALSE?
TRUE
What is an ecological niche?
Organisms role in an ecosystem, consisting of its place in the food web, its habitat, its breeding area and time of day at which its most active.
Basically ecological niche is
-Where it lives
-what it eats
-How it breeds
What are the factors limiting growth in ecosystems?
- Biotic potental
- Birth potential
- Capacity for survival
- Breeding frequency
- Length of reproductive life
- Competition
What is biotic potential?
The maximum # of number of offsprings that a species could produce with unlimited resources.
What is growth, survival and distribution of populations controlled by?
Limited factors, abiotic and biotic conditions that limit the number of individuals in a population.
What is birth potential?
The maxium # of offspring per birth. ( ex, women can only have one kid, on average, per 9 months )
What is capacity for survival ?
The # of offspring that reach reproductive age.
What is breeding frequency?
The number of times a species reproduces each year
What is the length of reproductive life ?
The age of sexual maturity and the number of years and individual can reproduce
What is competition?
Struggle between organisms for resources in the environment
What is intraspecific competition?
Competition between members of the same species
What might populations compete over?
Water, sunlight, soil nutrients, shelter, mates and breeding species
What is inter specific competition?
Competition between different species
What reduces competition?
Niches, species are resource partioning
What reduces competition?
Niches, species are resource partioning
What happens when new species enter the ecosystem?
Causes a disturbance due to competition for niche with the species that was origin there
Can two species occupy the same niche?
No
How are new species introduced?
Happens naturally, animals are mobile and can move from one ecosystem to another.
What does introduction of new species by humans cause?
Species depletion and extinction, second to habitat loss.
-native species may not be able to compete and may not have the défense mechanisms
What’s a predator?
Organism consuming another organism
What is a prey?
Organism being consumed by the predator
What is parasitism?
Interaction where one organism derives its nourishment from another organism (the host)
In parasitism Is the host always permanently harmed or killed?
no
What is bioaccumulation?
the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other chemicals in an organism
What is biomagnification?
-Concentration of toxins in an organism after ingesting them from other plants or animals
-More concentrated as you move up the food chain
What is monocultures?
Large crops of all the same type of plant
-efficient and time saving
-modern farmers method
What are negative aspects of monoculture?
-Decreased biodiversity
-Loss of wild plants
-Loss of insect species
-More susceptible to disease
-Hard on soil
What are special concern species?
Wildlife species that may become a threatened or endangered species because of a combination of biological chractersitics and identified threats.
What are extriprated species?
A species that no longerexists in the wild Canada but occuring elsewhere
What are threatened species?
Species that is likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
What are endangered species?
A species that is facing imminent extirpation or extinction
What are extinct species?
Species no longer present in its original range or as a distinct species any longer.
What are species?
A group of organisms that can reproduce with one another in nature and produce fertile offspring.