1 Introduction to Ecology (1) word style Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is the Greek origin of the word ‘ecology’?
Oikos = ‘house’ or ‘environment’ and logos = ‘study’
Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment.
What are the three main areas studied in ecology?
- Living Organisms
- Relationship & interactions with other organisms
- Relationship & interactions with the environment
Why is it important to study ecology?
To understand human impact on the environment and the interactions among organisms, and to develop mathematical models for predicting ecological outcomes.
What is Autecology?
The study of an individual species of organisms and its population.
What is Synecology?
The study of communities, their composition, behavior, and relation with the environment.
What does Marine Ecology study?
The interaction of organisms in marine environments such as oceans, deep seas, and estuaries.
What is Freshwater Ecology concerned with?
The interaction of organisms in freshwater environments, including lotic (running water) and lentic (standing water) systems.
What does Terrestrial Ecology focus on?
The study of interactions among organisms on land, including grassland, forest, and desert ecosystems.
What is Productive Ecology?
The study of biomass generation rates in ecosystems.
Define Microbial Ecology.
The ecology of microorganisms and their relationships with one another and their environment.
What is Radiation Ecology concerned with?
The effects of radioactive materials on living systems and their dispersal through ecosystems.
What does Pollution Ecology study?
The effect of undesirable environmental changes that harm living organisms.
What is Space Ecology?
The study of ecosystems in space-based environments.
Define an ecosystem.
All living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components interacting within an area.
What are Natural Ecosystems?
Ecosystems that operate under natural conditions without major human interference.
What types of ecosystems fall under Aquatic Ecosystems?
- Freshwater (Lotic and Lentic)
- Marine water (ocean, sea, estuary)
What are Artificial (Man Engineered) Ecosystems?
Ecosystems maintained by human intervention that disrupt natural balance.
What are Abiotic Factors?
Non-living chemical and physical components such as water, air, and nutrients.
What are the two types of Abiotic Factors?
- Climatic Factors (rain, temperature, light, wind)
- Edaphic Factors (soil, pH, topography, minerals)
What are Biotic Factors?
All living things that directly or indirectly affect the ecosystem.
Who are Producers in an ecosystem?
Organisms that make their own food from environmental compounds, primarily green plants and phytoplankton.
What are Consumers in an ecosystem?
Organisms that obtain energy and nutrients by feeding on other organisms.
What are the categories of Consumers?
- Primary consumers (herbivores)
- Secondary consumers (carnivores)
- Tertiary consumers (large carnivores)
- Quaternary consumers (largest carnivores)
- Omnivores (both plants and animals)
What role do Decomposers play in an ecosystem?
They recycle organic matter by breaking down dead material and releasing nutrients back into the environment.
