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ATEDCSMAN Year 2 > Eco Concepts and Applications > Flashcards

Eco Concepts and Applications Flashcards

1
Q

How are Source and Sink populations different

A

Source populations are larger than sinks

Sources occupy larger areas of viable habitat

Sinks cannot self sustain without imput from the source

Source populations are less prone to extinction than sink populations

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2
Q

How can isolation affect a population

A

Less genetic variability

More disease prone

More likely to go extinct

Reduced fitness within the population

Can cause evolutionary changes in the population

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3
Q

Describe one factor that can result habitat fragmentation

A

Urbanisation
Wildfires / stochastic events
Sea levels rising
Deforestation
Agriculture
Leisure/ Recreation
Industry
Regeneration
Succession

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4
Q

Define Polygamous

A

Individuals mate with multiple others

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5
Q

Define Monogamous

A

One male mating with one female

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6
Q

State what is meant by a polyandrous mating system

A

One female mates with many males

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7
Q

What are 3 benefits of Bi-parental care

A

Shared responsibility

Offspring more likely to survive to adulthood

Better protection from harsh environments to the offspring

Better able to deter predators

Able to collect more food for the young

More opportunities for adults to feed themselves

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8
Q

State 3 typical characteristics of r breeding strategists

A

Live in unstable environments

Smaller

More “cheap offspring”

Less parental care

Shorter lifespan

Shorter gestation

Often prey animals

Rapig growth

Early sexual maturity

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9
Q

Give 3 reasons why polygamous mating systems often result in the development of agressive behaviours

A

To defend a display ground/territory

To defend mates

Physically intimate rivals

Increased levels of hormones

Demonstrate physical/biologival fitness

To demonstrate genetic/evolutionary fitness

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10
Q

Describe three consequences of isolation within a fragmented landscape

A

Limited gene pool

Greater risk of extinction

Less robust against abiotic/biotic factors

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11
Q

Give 3 biotic factors that influence metapopulations

A

Evolutionary age comunities

Primary productivity

Community structure and competition

Fecundity

Natality

Mortality

Immigration

Emigration

Breeding stratergy

Competition

Predation

Disease

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12
Q

What is reproductive success?

A

An individual’s ability to pass on their genes to the next generation

This concept is central to understanding evolutionary biology and the fitness of organisms.

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13
Q

How does competition influence behaviour?

A

Drives individuals to behave aggressively or more strategically to ensure survival and reproduction

Competition can occur for resources like food, mates, and territory.

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14
Q

What is meant by social systems?

A

The organisation and structure within a group, such as roles and relationships, that influence behaviour

Social systems can vary widely among different species.

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15
Q

What is maternal investment?

A

The time and energy a female invests in caring for her offspring

This can include feeding, protecting, and teaching young.

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16
Q

What is paternal investment?

A

The resources, time, and energy a male contributes to the care of his offspring

This can vary significantly among species.

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17
Q

Define social behaviour.

A

Interactions with others in a group, such as cooperation or conflict

Social behaviour is critical for the survival and success of many species.

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18
Q

How does territorial behaviour impact animals?

A

Helps protect resources and mates from intruders, influencing reproductive success

Territoriality can lead to aggressive encounters and affect population dynamics.

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19
Q

What is communication in animals?

A

Signals or behaviours used to convey information, such as mating calls or warning signals

Communication can be vocal, visual, or chemical.

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20
Q

How do nutrient cycles influence behaviour?

A

Drive behavioural adaptations related to foraging, migration, and reproduction

Nutrient availability can affect food sources and habitat choices.

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21
Q

What is the role of habitat in influencing animal behaviour?

A

Animals adapt their behaviour to the specific conditions of their habitats, such as temperature or shelter availability

Habitat characteristics can dictate the survival strategies of species.

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22
Q

What is a trophic level?

A

The position an organism occupies in the food chain (e.g., producer, herbivore, carnivore)

Trophic levels are crucial for understanding energy flow in ecosystems.

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23
Q

Define niche in ecology.

A

The specific role an organism plays in its ecosystem, including its interactions with resources and other organisms

A niche encompasses the organism’s habitat, resource use, and relationships.

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24
Q

What is natural selection?

A

The process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce

Natural selection drives evolution and adaptation.

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25
Explain mating systems in animals.
Determine how individuals pair and reproduce, such as monogamy or polygamy ## Footnote Mating systems can significantly impact genetic diversity.
26
How do scales (individual, species, community) influence behaviour?
Behaviour can vary depending on whether an organism is acting as an individual, part of a species, or part of a community ## Footnote Different scales can reveal different ecological and social dynamics.
27
How do ecosystems affect animal behaviour?
Shape behaviour by providing resources and environmental factors that influence survival and reproduction ## Footnote Ecosystem changes can lead to shifts in behaviour and adaptations.
28
What is the relationship between environmental factors and animal behaviour?
Environmental factors like climate or food availability shape behaviours such as migration, hibernation, or mating patterns ## Footnote Changes in environmental conditions can lead to significant behavioural adjustments.
29
What is parental investment?
Parental investment is the time, energy, and resources an organism contributes to raising its offspring. ## Footnote This concept is crucial in understanding reproductive strategies in various species.
30
What are the different types of parental investment?
Maternal, paternal, and social group investments. ## Footnote Each type involves different contributions to offspring care.
31
How do social groups influence parental investment?
Individuals may share the responsibility of raising offspring, leading to cooperative behaviour. ## Footnote This can enhance the survival of the young.
32
What factors determine the amount of parental investment?
Time, energy, and resources available, along with the survival chances of the offspring. ## Footnote These factors can vary widely among different species and environmental contexts.
33
What is selective breeding?
Selective breeding involves choosing mates based on specific traits to enhance reproductive success. ## Footnote This practice is often used in agriculture and animal husbandry.
34
What is monogamy?
Monogamy is a mating system where one male pairs with one female for a breeding season or lifetime. ## Footnote This system can promote greater parental investment from both partners.
35
What is polygamy?
Polygamy is a mating system where an individual has multiple mates, either polygyny (one male, many females) or polyandry (one female, many males). ## Footnote This can influence the dynamics of parental investment.
36
What is the difference between K-selected and r-selected strategies?
K-selected species invest more in fewer offspring with higher survival rates, while r-selected species produce many offspring with lower survival rates. ## Footnote This reflects different evolutionary strategies in response to environmental pressures.
37
How does time influence parental investment?
Longer periods of investment, like those seen in mammals, often lead to more complex parental care strategies. ## Footnote This complexity can enhance the survival and development of offspring.
38
What is the relationship between breeding systems and parental investment?
Different breeding systems require varying levels of parental investment, influencing survival rates and offspring care. ## Footnote This relationship is critical in understanding reproductive success.
39
What role do energy expenditures play in reproductive behaviour?
High energy investment can limit reproductive opportunities but may lead to more successful offspring. ## Footnote This trade-off is an important consideration in evolutionary biology.
40
What is the purpose of paternal care in animals?
Paternal care increases offspring survival chances by providing protection, food, or teaching essential survival skills. ## Footnote This behavior can vary significantly among species.
41
How does the environment influence breeding strategies?
Environmental conditions such as resource availability and predator pressures shape reproductive behaviours and strategies. ## Footnote This adaptability is essential for species survival.
42
What is a metapopulation?
A group of spatially separated populations of the same species that interact through immigration and emigration.
43
What factors influence metapopulations?
Factors like: * prey-predator relationships * habitat size * resources * environmental conditions
44
What is the concept of population fluctuations?
Changes in the size of a population over time due to factors like resource availability or predation.
45
What are demes in a metapopulation?
Local populations within a metapopulation that are geographically isolated but can interact through migration.
46
How does isolation affect metapopulations?
It can reduce genetic diversity and hinder the flow of individuals between subpopulations, making survival harder.
47
What is the significance of evolutionary age in metapopulations?
Older communities may have more stable populations, while younger ones may experience more frequent fluctuations.
48
How do abiotic factors like climate affect metapopulations?
They influence species survival and reproduction within metapopulations.
49
What is primary productivity?
The rate at which plants and other producers create organic compounds through photosynthesis, affecting food availability.
50
How do biotic factors like competition impact metapopulations?
They can limit population growth, alter reproductive strategies, and influence species distribution.
51
What are the effects of environmental seasonality on metapopulations?
Seasonal changes can cause predictable fluctuations in population size and resource availability, influencing behaviour.
52
What role does natality play in metapopulations?
It impacts population growth and stability, influencing the overall success of a metapopulation.
53
How does immigration affect a metapopulation?
It introduces new individuals, increasing genetic diversity and stabilising the population.
54
How does emigration impact a metapopulation?
It removes individuals from a population, potentially lowering genetic diversity and affecting local population numbers.
55
What is the relationship between metapopulations and genetic variability?
Genetic variability is essential for metapopulation health, allowing for adaptation to environmental changes.
56
What is habitat fragmentation?
Habitat fragmentation is the process of dividing large, continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches.
57
How does habitat fragmentation impact species?
It can isolate populations, reduce genetic diversity, and limit access to resources, leading to potential local extinctions.
58
What human activities contribute to habitat fragmentation?
Agriculture, urbanisation, deforestation, and infrastructure development are key contributors.
59
What is local extinction?
Local extinction occurs when a species disappears from a particular area, even though it may still exist elsewhere.
60
How does urbanisation affect habitats?
Urbanisation alters ecosystems, reducing available habitats, disrupting food chains, and increasing pollution.
61
What impact does agriculture have on wildlife?
Agriculture can lead to habitat loss, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species, all of which affect local biodiversity.
62
How do natural disasters contribute to habitat loss?
Natural disasters like fires, floods, or volcanic eruptions can rapidly alter or destroy habitats, leading to local extinctions.
63
What is the role of regeneration in habitat restoration?
Regeneration allows ecosystems to recover and restore biodiversity by re-establishing plant and animal populations.
64
How does leisure use affect habitats?
Leisure activities can cause disturbance, trampling, pollution, and habitat destruction, impacting biodiversity.
65
What is the role of deforestation in habitat fragmentation?
Deforestation creates isolated forest patches, reduces biodiversity, and disrupts ecosystems.
66
What is the kick sampling method?
What is the kick sampling method?

ATEDCSMAN Year 2 (7 decks)

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