Unit 7 - Ecology Flashcards
the scientific study of the interactions among living organisms and their environments
ecology
the parts of Earth that are capable of supporting life
biosphere
the non-living parts of the environment (ex: air currents, moisture, water, soil)
abiotic factors
the living parts of the environment (organisms)
biotic factors
the level of organization at which we only observe 1 single organism
individual
the level of organization at which we observe many of the same species living together in the same space at the same time
population
the level of organization at which we observe multiple populations of different species interacting with each other
community
the level of organization at which we observe communities interacting with the abiotic factors of their environment
ecosystem
the place where an organism lives out its life; it will find food, shelter, and a place for reproduction here
habitat
the role an organism plays in its environment; the position or job it occupies
niche
a specific, close, and permanent association among organisms of different species; has 3 types
symbiosis
a type of symbiosis where one species benefits from the relationship, and the other is not harmed and does not receive a benefit
commensalism
a type of symbiosis where both species benefit from the relationship
mutualism
a type of symbiosis where one species benefits at the expense of the other; one species benefits, the other is harmed
parasitism
a species which hunts another for food
predator
a species which is hunted; it is a food source for another species
prey
the ultimate source of energy on Earth
the sun
those species which make their own food (usually plants through photosynthesis)
autotrophs
those species that get their food from another source (usually by consuming another organism)
heterotroph
a heterotroph which consumes only plants
herbivore
a heterotroph which consumes only meat
carnivore
a heterotroph which consumes both plants and meat
omnivore
a heterotroph whose diet consists of dead animals that it did not hunt
scavenger (may also be known as detritivore)
an organism which breaks down complex compounds of dead/decaying organisms and recycles them into the environment; this organism will affect all levels of a food chain
decomposer
a simple pathway for showing the flow of matter and energy in an ecosystem
food chain
each “step” of a food chain where energy is gained/lost
trophic level
a representation of all possible feeding relationships for organisms in an ecosystem; more realistic model, network of interconnected food chains
food web
As we move from one trophic level in a food chain to the next, we will LOSE ____% of energy.
90%
an organism in a food chain which produces its own food; will usually be an autotroph
producer
an organism in a food chain which obtains food from another organism; will always be a heterotroph
consumer
the first consumer in a food chain
primary consumer
the second consumer in a food chain
secondary consumer
the third consumer in a food chain
tertiary consumer
the fourth consumer in a food chain
quaternary consumer
There are many _______ in nature, because elements are never completely used up, only transformed.
cycles
This image shows the…
water cycle
the cycle in nature which includes photosynthesis and cellular respiration
carbon cycle
a cycle in nature where _________ fixing bacteria take this element from the air and turn it into a form that other organisms can use
nitrogen cycle
the element of this cycle is essential for growth and development of organisms; it is produced by lightning and stored in rocks
phosophorus cycle
an increase in the size of a population over time
population growth
type of population growth which produces a straight line graph
linear growth
type of population growth that results in a J-shaped graph; as the population gets larger, it grows more rapidly (“population explosion”)
exponential growth
the maximum number of organisms of one species that an environment can support
carrying capacity
type of population growth that results in an S-shaped curve graph; most realistic
logistic growth
environmental limits to population growth
limiting factors
limiting factors where the density of the population does matter (ex: disease, competition for resources)
density dependent factors
limiting factors where the density of the population does NOT matter; usually abiotic factors such as weather or soil conditions
density independent factors
occurs when there are too many organisms in one area and not enough resources
competition for resources
occurs when there are far too many organisms of one species in an area; will usually lead to greater aggression, decreased fertility, and decreased parental care
overcrowding
how to calculate overall population growth
Growth = Initial Population + Birth Rates + Immigration Rates - Death Rates - Emigration Rates
representation of the proportions of a population that are at different age levels; enables scientists to predict population growth
age structure
age structure which has a very wide base because of large populations of young who have not entered reproductive years
rapid growth
age structure which shows relatively even proportions of all age groups(relatively even top-to-bottom)
stable growth
age structure which shows the greatest numbers in those age groups which have passed the reproductive years (largest groups in the middle)
slow growth
a mathematical equiation to calculate genetic variation of a population
Hardy-Weinberg equation
the orderly, natural changes and species replacements that take place over time
succession
the type of succession that starts with a completely lifeless environment and ends with a climax community
primary succession
the first species to inhabit an area (ex: lichen, mosses)
pioneer species
a community which naturally undergoes little or no change in species
climax community
This image shows which type of succession?
primary succession; it starts with bare rock with absolutely no life
the sequence of community changes that takes place after a community is disrupted by natural disasters or human actions (ex: floods, fires, avalanches, deforestation)
secondary succession
Which type of succession is shown
secondary succession; this one starts with a natural disaster(forest fire), and different pioneer species re-establish themselves to pave the way to the climax community
a species which is customarily (or “naturally”) found in an environment
native species
a species which has been introduced into the environment; these usually “take over” by out-competing native species
non-native or invasive species
a large group of ecosystems that share the same type of climax community
biome
water biome made of 2 parts: photic (sunlight can penetrate, photosynthesis occurs) and aphotic (deeper water, no sunlight)
marine biome
biome with a coastal body of water partially surrounded by land that has brackish water (mix of fresh and saltwater) (Ex: Chesapeake Bay)
estuary
a biome which is an area that is exposed when the tide is low, but covered with water when the tide is high
intertidal zone
Rivers, lakes, and streams make up this type of biome
freshwater
a biome with high latitude lands, extremely cold temperatures, no trees; DOES have permafrost (layer under the topsoil that is permanently frozen)
tundra
a biome with high latitude lands, extremely cold temperatures, and conifer trees; does NOT have permafrost
taiga
a biome in arid regions with sparse to almost nonexistent plant life; very little annual rain. Plants which live in these areas tend to have spines to reduce water loss and protect themselves from herbivores
desert
a biome with a large area that is covered by grasses and small plants; also known as prairies, steppes, or savannahs
grassland
a biome that is dominated by broad-leaved hardwood trees which are deciduous (lose their leaves in winter)
temperate forest
a biome with very warm temperatures, wet weather, and lush plant growth; this biome tends to have the largest amount of biodiversity
tropical rainforest
