What is ecology?

Question 1

ecology

Answer 1

the study of relationships among organisms and between organisms and the physical environment

• distribution and abundance
• variety of species
• transformation and flow of energy and materials

Question 2

study of individuals

Answer 2

evolution of anatomical mechanisms and behaviours

Question 3

study of populations

Answer 3

a group of interbreeding individuals of a single species in a defined area - density, biomass

Question 4

population dynamics

Answer 4

natality, mortality, immigration, emigration

Question 5

study of communities

Answer 5

an association of interacting species (coexistence). How does environment affect?
- richness, abundance

Question 6

landscape ecology

Answer 6

exchange of materials, energy and organisms with other communities and ecosystems

Question 7

ecosystem

Answer 7

biotic community with abiotic physical and chemical environments
- energy flow and decomposition

Question 8

largest ecology?

Answer 8

geographic ecology

Question 9

biosphere

Answer 9

portions of earth that support life such as land, water and atmosphere

Question 10

Types of research

Answer 10

observation, experimentation and modelling

Question 11

observation

Answer 11

collection of data in unmanipulated settings

• UAVs (unmanned vehicles), drones, thermal senses
• SIA

Question 12

experimentation

Answer 12

manipulation of variables while holding others constant to test a hypothesis

• in situ- unknown factors, hard to interpret
• ex situ- does not represent real life

Question 13

modelling

Answer 13

the creation and analysis of representations of data or ideas to provide insights or make predictions

• conceptual models: pictures or diagrams
• quantitative models: mathematical

Question 14

adaptation

Answer 14

an evolutionary process that increases an organisms ability to live in a new climatic regime