Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology Flashcards
(34 cards)
What is an ecosystem?
A biological community of interacting organisms and their abiotic (nonliving) environment functioning as a natural unit.
The abiotic components of an ecosystem include:
a) Sunlight, water, minerals, and gases
b) Only living organisms (plants, animals)
c) Organic matter like dead organisms and decomposers
d) All of the above
a) Sunlight, water, minerals, and gases
_____ levels categorize organisms within an ecosystem based on their feeding relationships. The first _____ level consists of producers (autotrophs) that can synthesize organic molecules from inorganic compounds.
trophic (both)
TF: Energy flows one-way through an ecosystem, typically starting with producers and then transferring to consumers at higher trophic levels. At each transfer, a significant amount of energy is lost as heat.
True
How do biogeochemical cycles, such as the carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle, move essential elements through the environment and connect different parts of an ecosystem?
Biogeochemical cycles involve the transfer of elements between living organisms, the atmosphere, soil, and water. These cycles are crucial for sustaining life and ecosystem processes.
What is meant by primary productivity and secondary productivity in an ecosystem?
Primary productivity is the rate at which producers capture energy and convert it into organic matter. Secondary productivity is the rate at which consumers produce organic matter.
Decomposers play a vital role in ecosystems by:
a) Breaking down dead organic matter and returning nutrients to the environment
b) Only competing with consumers for resources
c) Not significantly impacting the flow of energy or nutrients
d) Primarily fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere
a) Breaking down dead organic matter and returning nutrients to the environment
_____ _____ depict the complex feeding relationships between different trophic levels within an ecosystem. They show how energy and nutrients flow through the community.
Food webs
What are ecosystem services, and categorize them into different types.
Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. These can be categorized as:
1. Provisioning services (food, water, fiber)
2. Regulating services (climate regulation, flood control, water purification)
3. Cultural services (recreation, aesthetic value, spiritual enrichment)
4. Supporting services (nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production)
Sustainable practices that take into account the value of ecosystem services can include:
a) Reducing pollution and protecting natural habitats
b) Unrestricted resource extraction and development
c) Practices that degrade ecosystem functions
d) None of the above
a) Reducing pollution and protecting natural habitats
Biodiversity loss can have negative consequences for the provision of ecosystem _____, ultimately impacting human well-being.
services
TF: Some argue that ecosystem services can be replaced by technological advancements. However, many essential services, like nutrient cycling and pollination, are complex and not easily replicated.
True
How can economic valuation of ecosystem services be used to promote conservation efforts?
Assigning economic value to the benefits provided by ecosystems can help raise awareness of their importance and justify investments in conservation strategies.
What are some of the challenges associated with valuing ecosystem services?
Challenges include the complex interactions within ecosystems, difficulty assigning monetary value to some services, and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits from conservation.
Deforestation is an example of a human activity that can disrupt:
a) Only cultural services (e.g., recreation)
b) Only provisioning services (e.g., timber)
c) Only regulating services (e.g., climate regulation)
d) All of the above (provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting services)
d) All of the above (provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting services)
_____ development aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This requires considering the long-term impact of human activities on ecosystems and ecosystem services.
Sustainable
What are some of the major threats to ecosystems globally?
Habitat destruction and fragmentation, pollution, climate change, invasive species introductions, overexploitation of resources.
Habitat fragmentation occurs when:
a) Large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches
b) Introduced species become established in a new environment
c) Climate patterns remain stable over long periods
d) Pollution levels decrease significantly
a) Large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches
Invasive species can harm ecosystems by _____ with native species for resources, predating on native species, and disrupting food webs.
competing
TF: Climate change can have a significant impact on ecosystems by altering temperature regimes, precipitation patterns, and ocean acidification. These changes can disrupt species distributions, migration patterns, and ecosystem processes.
True
How can human activities, such as the use of fossil fuels and deforestation, contribute to climate change and its impacts on ecosystems?
Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. Deforestation reduces the capacity of ecosystems to absorb carbon dioxide, further accelerating climate change. These changes can have cascading effects on ecosystems around the world.
What is restoration ecology, and what are its goals?
Restoration ecology is the field of study concerned with repairing damage caused to ecosystems and restoring them to a more natural state. Goals include improving ecosystem health, biodiversity, and the ability to provide ecosystem services.
Restoration efforts can involve techniques such as:
a) Removing invasive species and replanting native species
b) Introducing new and potentially harmful species
c) Ignoring damaged ecosystems and allowing natural recovery (may not always be feasible)
d) None of the above
a) Removing invasive species and replanting native species
Ecological _____ can be a valuable tool in restoration ecology, as understanding how communities naturally change over time can guide efforts to reestablish a desired ecosystem state.
succession
