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
-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
-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
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
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