ecology test Flashcards
(26 cards)
what is ecology?
scientific study of the interactions between the organisms and the environment
where are nutrients recycled?
in ecosystems
- energy flows through ecosystems (one-direction)
what is a community?
a group of populations of different species in an area
what is a population?
a group of individuals of the same species living in an area
what are the 4 major abiotic components of climate?
- temperature
- sunlight
- precipitation
- wind
what is climate affected by?
seasonality (earths rotation and tilt) ; large bodies of water, mountains
biomes
major life zones characterized by vegetation type (terrestrial biomes) or physical environment (aquatic biome)
climate is important in determining _____?
why terrestrial biomes are found in a certain area
what are terrestrial biomes characterized by?___
distribution, precipitation, temperature, plants, animals
detritivores/decomposers
consumers that derive their energy from detritue, non-living organic matter
what are examples of important detritivores?
prokaryotes and fungi
_______ connects all trophic levels?
decomposition
what is vertical layering?
important feature of terrestrial biomes and in a forest it might consist of an upper canopy, low tree layer, shrub understory, ground layer of herbaceous plants, forest floor, and root layer
dominant species
those that are most abundant or have the highest biomass
- most in the area
keystone species
this species keeps the ecosystem thriving, if this species is removed the ecosystem would fall apart
- normally a predator –> increased diversity in a community by holding down prey populations
ecological succession
how an ecosystem has developed overtime
primary succession
no soil exists after disturbance
secondary succession
secondary succession
climax community
mature, stable community that is the final stage of ecological succession
what is the first stae of succession called?
pioneer stage
what are the biotic factors that affect the distribution of organisms:
- predation
- parasitism
- herbivory
= sea urchins can limit the distribution of seaweeds - competition
- behavior (migration, mating)
what are the abiotic factors that affect the distribution of organisms :
- temperature
- water
- sunlight (light intensity and wavelength affect photosynthesis)
- salinity
- wind
- rocks and soil (physical structure, pH, mineral composition)
graph diff
logistic = reality
exponential = ideal ; not what happens in real life
density-dependent
birth rates fall and death rates rise with population density
