Ecology Flashcards
(29 cards)
Ecology
the study of the interactions between organisms and the living and nonliving components of their environment
Organismal ecology
- studies how an organism’s structure, physiology, and (for animals) behavior meet environmental challenges (adaptations)
Population Ecology
factors affecting population size over time
Community Ecology
examines the effect of interspecific interactions on community structure and organization (populations with potential to interact)
Ecosystem ecology
emphasizes energy flow and chemical cycling between organisms and the environment
Landscape ecology
focuses on the exchanges of energy, materials, and organisms across multiple ecosystems
Global ecology
examines the influence of energy and materials on organisms across the biosphere
Biosphere
the global ecosystem, the sum of all the planet’s ecosystems and landscapes
Density
the number of individuals per unit area or volume
Demographics
the study of the vital statistics of a population and how they change over time
Dispersion Definition
the pattern of spacing among individuals within the boundaries of the population
What are the 3 dispersal patterns
- Clumped
- Uniform
- Random
Clumped Pattern Characteristics
individuals aggregate in patches because of resource availabiity, mating behavior, group defense against predators
Uniform Pattern Characteristics
- one in which individuals are evenly distributed
caused by territoriality
Territoriality
the defense of a bounded space against other individuals
Random Pattern and Characteristics
- the position of each individual is independent of other individuals
- occurs in the absence of strong attractions or repulsions among individuals
Equation for Population Size
N= s*n/x
where:
s - first batch and tagged
n - tagged and recaught
x - second batch
N - total amount
Mark Recapture Method
- Scientists capture, tag, and release a random sample of individuals (s) in a population
- Marked individuals are given time to mix back into the population
- Scientists capture a second sample of individuals (n), and note how many of them are marked (x) to determine population increase
Exponential Population Growth
population increase under idealized conditions
Carrying Capacity
maximum population size the environment can support (affected by food, space, and predation)
Overpopulation
when population exceed carrying capacity
Competitive Exclusion
strong competition can lead to local elimination of a competing species
Resource Partitioning
similar species coexist in a community because of ecological niches (one lives in trees and one lives on ground)
Fundamental Niche
niche they usually ocuppy/ the one they want
