Exam 3 Study Guide Flashcards

Chapters 10, 12, 14, 18

1
Q

Ecology

A

the interaction between organisms and their environment

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2
Q

Community

A

all populations of organisms living in a defined area

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3
Q

Habitat

A

the physical place where an organism lives

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4
Q

Niche

A

the resources an organism uses for survival, growth, and reproduction

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5
Q

What are the two types of niches?

A
  1. Fundamental niche
  2. Realized niche
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6
Q

Fundamental niche

A

all resources a species is capable of using

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7
Q

Realized niche

A

all resources a species actually uses in a community

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8
Q

What are the three ways that species can interact?

A
  1. Competition
  2. Predatory-Prey Interactions
  3. Symbiosis
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9
Q

Limiting resources

A

resources that have the ability to affect the growth of a population
Include: nutrients, light, space (habitat), oxygen or carbon dioxide, inorganic compounds

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10
Q

Carrying capacity

A

the maximum number of organisms that any habitat can support

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11
Q

Competition

A

when organisms must “fight” with one another over a limited resource they both require for survival

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12
Q

What are the two types of competition?

A
  1. Intraspecific competition
  2. Interspecific competition
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13
Q

Intraspecific competition

A

organisms compete with members of their own species

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14
Q

Interspecific competition

A

organisms compete with members of other species

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15
Q

What are the two possible outcomes of interspecific competition?

A
  1. Principle of competitive exclusion
  2. Resource partitioning
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16
Q

Principle of competitive exclusion

A

one individual excludes the other
“two species or populations cannot inhabit the same niche: one will consistently out-compete the other”(NIH)

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17
Q

Resource Partitioning

A

competing species can coexist if they use the same resource in a different way or at a different time

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18
Q

Symbiosis

A

one species living in or on another

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19
Q

What are the three types of symbiosis?

A
  1. Mutualism
  2. Commensalism
  3. Parasitism
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20
Q

Mutualism

A

both species benefit

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21
Q

Commensalism

A

one species benefits with no apparent effect on the other

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22
Q

Parasitism

A

one species benefits and the other is harmed

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23
Q

What are the two types of mutually symbiotic relationships?

A
  1. Facultative symbiosis
  2. Obligate symbiosis
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24
Q

Facultative symbiosis

A

partners in a symbiotic relationship can live without one another

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25
Q

Obligate symbiosis

A

partners in a symbiotic relationship cannot survive without the other partner

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26
Q

What are the names of the two partners in a symbiotic relationship (the smaller partner and the larger partner)

A
  1. Symbiont (smaller)
  2. Host (larger)
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27
Q

Symbiont

A

the smaller partner in a symbiotic relationship

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28
Q

Host

A

the larger partner in a symbiotic relationship

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29
Q

Predation

A

Predatory kills prey for food. Prey species adapt to avoid being eaten

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30
Q

Three adaptations of prey species to avoid being eaten

A
  1. Warning coloration
  2. Camouflage
  3. Mimicry
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31
Q

Ecosystem

A

all the biotic and abiotic components in a defined area

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32
Q

All ecosystems require a constant _______ of energy.

A

input

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33
Q

Chemicals and nutrients are _________ within ecosystems.

A

cycled

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34
Q

Trophic Structure

A

The route of energy flow through an ecosystem (primary producers –> herbivorous consumers –> carnivorous consumers)

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35
Q

What is the ocean’s main primary producer?

A

Phytoplankton

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36
Q

True/False: All the energy stored by individuals at one trophic level is available to the next.

A

FALSE. The energy needs of each individual take up energy that has been consumed or created.

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37
Q

On average, what percentage of energy is transferred to the next level of the food chain?

A

Approximately 10% (5-20%)

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38
Q

True/False: Food chains rarely extend beyond 4 trophic levels except in the ocean.

A

TRUE.

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39
Q

Why do food chains rarely extend beyond 4 trophic levels except in the ocean?

A

More biomass created at the bottom trophic level (primary producers), so the system can support additional secondary consumers.

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40
Q

Gross primary production

A

total amount of primary production

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41
Q

Net primary production

A

organic matter remaining after primary producers meet their own needs; the base of the trophic pyramid

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42
Q

Standing stock

A

the total amount of phytoplankton (the main primary producers) in the water

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43
Q

Benthic Organisms:

A

live in or near the bottom features of the marine environment

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44
Q

What are the two zones of the benthic zone?

A
  1. Intertidal zone
  2. Subtidal zone
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45
Q

Intertidal Zone

A

benthic zone located between high and low tide, exposed at least once a day

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46
Q

Subtidal zone

A

benthic zone below tide level, always submerged

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47
Q

Pelagic organisms

A

live in the water column

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48
Q

What are the three main subdivisions of the pelagic zone?

A
  1. Epipelagic zone
  2. Mesopelagic zone
  3. Deep sea zones (bathypelagic, abyssopelagic, hadopelagic)
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49
Q

What are the three main subdivisions of the deep sea zones?

A
  1. Bathypelagic Zone
  2. Abyssopelagic Zone
  3. Hadopelagic Zone
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50
Q

True/False: Sunlight does NOT penetrate to the deep sea zones?

A

TRUE

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51
Q

Mesopelagic Zone

A

from the lower limit of the epipelagic zone to 1000 meters; less sunlight, but some photosynthesis occurs in this zone

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52
Q

Epipelagic zone

A

from the water’s surface to 100-200 meters; sunlight is available

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53
Q

Carbon

A

an element required for primary produces to create organic molecules; cycled through an ecosystem

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54
Q

Nitrogen and phosphorous

A

elements required for primary production; cycled through an ecosystem

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55
Q

True/False: Certain elements or compounds cannot be metabolized or excreted by organisms.

A

TRUE.

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56
Q

What are the two possible results from organisms consuming elements or compounds that cannot be metabolized or excreted?

A
  1. Bioaccumulation
  2. Biomagnification
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57
Q

Bioaccumulation

A

elements or compounds that cannot be metabolized or excreted accumulate in and organisms and may reach toxic levels

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58
Q

Biomagnification

A

effects of bioaccumulated materials are magnified through the food web

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59
Q

Estuary

A

semi-enclosed area where fresh water and seawater meet and mix

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60
Q

What changes are observed in estuary ecosystems?

A

Changes in salinity, temperature, air exposure, presence of soft sediments

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61
Q

Estuaries have _____ species diversity. (low or high?)

A

low

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62
Q

Species diversity

A

number of species

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63
Q

Estuaries have _____ biomass (low or high)

A

high

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64
Q

Biomass

A

total number of living organisms

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65
Q

What are the two types of estuary margins?

A
  1. Passive margins
  2. Active margins
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66
Q

Are estuaries best developed in passive margins or active margins?

A

Passive margins

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67
Q

Passive margins

A

areas where the coastal plain is flat and the continental shelf is wide; where estuaries are best developed

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68
Q

Active margins

A

areas with steep, narrow continental shelves and coastal plains

69
Q

What are the four types of estuaries?

A
  1. Drowned River Valleys
  2. Bar-Build Estuaries
  3. Tectonic Estuaries
  4. Fjords
70
Q

What are the most common type of estuaries?

A

Drowned River Valleys

71
Q

Drowned River Valleys

A

formed by the drowning of low land around the mouths of rivers when sea levels rose after the last ice age

72
Q

Bar-Built Estuaries

A

built by the accumulation of sediments into sand bars or barrier islands

73
Q

Tectonic Estuaries

A

formed as a result of land sinking due to movements of the Earth’s crust

74
Q

Fjords

A

deep valleys cut on the coast as a result of retreating glaciers

75
Q

What is the average salinity level in estuaries (as a percentage)

A

5-30% or more

76
Q

What factors to contribute to variance in salinity level?

A
  1. Distance from seawater
  2. Freshwater input
  3. Depth
77
Q

Salt Wedge

A

saltwater is heavier and sinks below freshwater

78
Q

Euryhaline organisms

A

organisms tolerate a wide range of salinities

79
Q

What are two types of euryhaline organisms?

A
  1. Osmoregulators
    2 Osmoconformers
80
Q

Osmoregulators

A

Euryhaline organisms that have mechanisms for keeping internal concentration stable

81
Q

Osmoconformers

A

Euryhaline organisms that have internal concentrations that vary with that of their surroundsing

82
Q

How do flowering plants in estuaries adapt to salinity?

A

Flowering plants in estuaries expel excess solutes and concentrate solutes in tissues.

83
Q

Substrate in estuaries

A

mostly must or sad (difficult to move through for organisms)

84
Q

True/False: Particle sizes of substrate are small enough that most areas are anoxic (devoid of oxygen)

A

TRUE

85
Q

True/False: Water temperature has low variation.

A

FALSE. Water temperature has wide variation, especially at low tides.

86
Q

True/False: Water transparency is very poor in estuaries.

A

TRUE. Suspended sediments and particles from rivers reduce the water transparency, and lower clarify makes it harder for photosynthesis to occur in autotrophs.

87
Q

What plant species dominates along the water edge in salt marshes?

A

Cordgrass (Spartina species)

88
Q

Salt Marshes

A
  • Cordgrass
  • High primary production
  • Nursery for young organisms of many species
  • Contribute detritus to estuary
89
Q

True/False: Mangrove forests are typically located in tropical and subtropical areas.

A

TRUE. Mangrove forests typically replace salt marshes in these areas

90
Q

Pneumatophores

A

vertical roots that help in the exchange of gases within mangrove forests

91
Q

What is one benefit of mangrove forests for environmental protection?

A

The mangrove trees can protect coasts against harsh waves during storms.

92
Q

Seagrass Beds

A
  • can be found in some estuaries
  • high primary productions
  • helps stabilize substrate
93
Q

Oyster reefs

A

beds of oysters on which many other species grow and thrive; found in many estuaries; provide hard substrate

94
Q

What phylum are corals?

A

Cnidarian - the phylum characterized by stinging cells used for defense or to capture prey

95
Q

What type of body does coral have (polyp or medusa)?

A

Polyp

96
Q

What is the soft body of coral enclosed in?

A

A hard shell of calcium carbonate created by the coral

97
Q

What are the two basic types of coral?

A
  1. Hermatypic
  2. Ahermatypic
98
Q

Hermatypic coral

A
  • Reef builders
  • Normally contain zooxanthellae
  • Restricted by water temperature and quality
99
Q

Ahermatypic Corals

A
  • do NOT build reefs
  • may not contain zooxanthellae
  • NOT restricted by water temperature or quality
100
Q

Are hermatypic coral or ahermatypic coral reef builders?

A

Hermatypic

101
Q

Coral reefs

A

groups of coral polyps interconnected by thin layers of tissue

102
Q

True/False: Grouped polyps share a nervous system and digestive connection.

A

TRUE

103
Q

What is the size of each polyp in a coral reef?

A

1 - 3 millimeters

104
Q

Each polyp lays down new __________ beneath the polyp body so the entire coral colony continues to group upward

A

Calcium carbonate

105
Q

What is the role of zooxanthellae in the symbiotic relationship with coral?

A

Zooxanthellae inside the coral produce organic matter through photosynthesis which is passed on to the coral

106
Q

How do coral feed?

A

Coral possess nematocysts (stinging cells) for capturing prey that come within reach of tentacles (like zooplankton).
Some corals produce sheets of mucous to capture zooxanthellae or detritus.

107
Q

Mesenterial filaments

A

Extensions of the coral’s gut wall used to feed
- secrete digestive enzymes
- allow coral to feed and digest food outside of the body

108
Q

What conditions are required for reef growth?

A
  1. Hard substrate
  2. Optimal light
  3. Narrow temperature range
  4. Narrow salinity range
  5. Low wave action
  6. Low sediment load in water
  7. Low pollution
  8. Narrow range of pH
109
Q

Why is optimal light a required condition for reef growth?

A

It allows the symbiotic zooxanthellae to photosynthesize

110
Q

What temperature range is optimal for reef growth?

A

68°F - 86°F

111
Q

Coral bleaching

A

an expulsion of zooxanthellae from the coral polyp; can lead to the corals death; results from temperatures above 86°F

112
Q

What is the optimal salinity range for reef growth?

A

35 parts per thousand

113
Q

Why is low sediment load in water optimal for reef growth?

A

When sediments settle on coral, it can cause damage or reduce zooxanthellae photosynthesis

114
Q

Why is low wave action optimal for reef growth?

A

Heavy wave action causes suspension of sediments.

115
Q

Why is low pollution optimal for reef growth?

A

Pollution kills coral polyps.

116
Q

Where does taller, branching coral form AND what is the benefit of this growth form?

A

Shallow areas; competition for light and space

117
Q

Where do flatter coral form AND what is the benefit of this growth form?

A

deep areas; assist with capturing all possible light available

118
Q

What organisms contribute to reef structures besides stony corals?

A
  1. Coralline algae
  2. Soft corals (sea whips and sea fans)
  3. Sponges
  4. Bryozoans
  5. Anthozoans (Scleractinia corals, soft corals, organ-pipe corals, blue coral, gorgonians, precious corals, black corals)
  6. Hydrozoans (fire corals, lace corals)
119
Q

What are the three types of coral reefs?

A
  1. Barrier reef
  2. Atoll
  3. Fringing reef
120
Q

What are the simplest and most common form of reefs?

A

Fringing reefs

121
Q

Where do fringing reefs develop?

A

Near the shore in tropical waters

122
Q

Fringing Reefs

A

Narrow strips along the shore

123
Q

Structure of Fringing Reefs

A
  1. Inner Reef Flat
  2. Outer Reef Slope
  3. Reef Crest
124
Q

Inner Reef Flat

A
  • wide, gently sloping
    -may be exposed in places at low tide
125
Q

Outer Reef Slope

A
  • much more steep and not exposed to air
  • contains living and dead coral, algae, invertebrates
126
Q

Reef Crest

A
  • shallow, upper edge of the reef slope
127
Q

Where is growth normally high in a fringing reef (reef flat, reef slope, and/or reef crest)?

A

Reef slope and reef crest

128
Q

Why is growth slower on the reef flat?

A

Runoff from land increases sediment, freshwater, and pollution

129
Q

Barrier Reefs

A

Grow along shore or farther from shore

130
Q

What is the difference between fringing reefs and barrier reefs?

A

Barrier reefs have a deep lagoon between the shore and the reef

131
Q

Typical structure of a Barrier Reef

A
  1. Back-reef slope
  2. Reef flat
  3. Reef crest
  4. Fore-reef slope
132
Q

Keys (or “cayes”)

A

Waves often wash sediment onto the back reef slope or reef flat which causes reduced coral growth. Enough sediment may accrue to form small islands on the reef called keys

133
Q

What is the largest reef structure in the world with regards to total coral area?

A

Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- 1200 miles length
- 10-200 miles width

134
Q

Atolls

A

circular reef structure surrounding a central lagoon

135
Q

Typical structure of Atolls

A
  1. Reef Flat
  2. Inner Reef Slope
  3. Outer Reef Slope
136
Q

2 Largest Atolls

A
  • Maldives, Indian Ocean
  • Marshall Islands, Pacific Ocean
137
Q

Atoll Formation

A

When a volcanic island is formed, the coral begins a fringing reef around the island. When the island is lowered and disappears below the water surface (due to weather and geologic activity), the outer band of coral surrounding a lagoon is left.

138
Q

Why is the water column surrounding coral reefs normally very low in nutrients AND what is the result of low nutrient content?

A

Due to the position of reefs away from rivers and other sources of nutrients; water surrounding the reef does not support enough primary production, the base of the food chain

139
Q

What are the primary producers in the coral reef food web?

A
  • Corals / Zooxanthellae
  • Seaweeds
  • Coralline algae
  • Photosynthetic bacteria
140
Q

What are the secondary consumers in the coral reef food web?

A
  • Grazers (fishes, urchins, snails, chitons)
  • Detritus feeders (sea cucumbers, worms, amphipods, soft corals)
  • Coral feeders (fishes, sea stars, crabs)
  • Plankton feeders (fishes, sea fans, feather stars)
141
Q

What are the predators in the coral reef food web?

A

Fishes, squid, snails

142
Q

What organisms feed directly on corals or their products (mucous, eggs, larvae)?

A
  • Triggerfishes –> coral
  • Sea urchins –> coral
  • Parrotfishes –> coral
  • Flatworms –> coral
  • Sea star –> coral
  • Snails –> coral
  • Sea fans –> mucus
  • Crabs –> mucus
  • Shrimps –> mucus
  • Bacteria –> mucus
  • Zooplankton –> mucus
  • Wrasses -> eggs, larvae
  • Damselfishes –> eggs, larvae
  • Butterflyfishes –> coral, eggs, larvae
143
Q

What are three way organisms deter predation?

A
  • May produce toxic or foul-tasting chemicals
  • May produce hard structures (like spicules or sclerites)
  • May grow an encrusting form that is difficult to feed upon
144
Q

What are ways that coral limit competition?

A
  • Some grow fast and upright to maximize ability to quickly reproduce
  • Some grow slow but very large to out-compete in the long-run
145
Q

What happens if corals contact one another?

A

They may feed directly or sting one another.

146
Q

What organisms do corals compete with for light and space?

A
  • corals (intraspecies)
  • algae (interspecies)
  • seagrasses (interspecies)
  • invertebrates (interspecies)
147
Q

Most habitat destruction that occurs close to shores as a direct result of _________.

A

human development (unplanned or poorly planned development)

148
Q

Destruction of marine habitations is ______ common in developing countries and _____ common in developed countries (more or less for each answer)

A

less; more

149
Q

Approximately what fraction of all coral reefs have been lost or at risk?

A

1/4 (25%)

150
Q

What fraction of reef-building coral species face extenction?

A

1/3 (approximately 33%)

151
Q

What factors endanger coral reefs?

A
  1. Pollution from sewage, agricultural runoff, sedimentation
  2. Rising temperature
  3. Ocean acidification
  4. Fishing with explosives
  5. Collection for museum trade
152
Q

Trawling

A

nets are dragged along the bottom of the ocean, causing re-suspension of sediments which can kill many suspension and deposit feeders

153
Q

Pollution

A

the human introduction of a substance that reduces the quality of the environment

154
Q

Most marine pollutants are the result of ____-based activities (land or ocean).

A

Land

155
Q

What are major sources of marine pollution?

A
  1. Fertilizers
  2. Sewage
  3. Oil
  4. Persistent toxic substances
  5. Solid wastes (like plastics)
  6. Thermal pollution (from power plants)
  7. Saline brines (from desalination plants)
  8. Radioactive waste
156
Q

Eutrophication

A

increase in nutrients in water

157
Q

Why are fertilizers a marine pollutant?

A

Land-based fertilizers wash into streams and rivers and are carried into coastal waters which cases an Increase in nutrients in water (eutrophication) and causes phytoplankton blooms and increase in the amount of bottom seaweeds

158
Q

Why is eutrophication a problem to the marine environment?

A

As seaweed takes over on the bottom and phytoplankton cells die and drop to the bottom, the massive amounts of organic matter causes an increase in decomposition by bacteria. Oxygen is consumed and anoxic conditions develop, affecting all forms of life.

159
Q

What are sources of sewage pollution?

A
  • Homes
  • City buildings
  • Stormwater runoff
  • Factories
160
Q

Oil polution

A

Organisms can accumulate components of oil, many of which are toxic

161
Q

Persistent Toxic Substances

A
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
  • Heavy metals – mercury, lead, cadmium, copper
162
Q

Chlorinated hydrocarbons

A
  • Persistent toxic substance
  • Dissolved into the fats of organisms and are passed along the food chain
  • Accumulate in their tissues because they are not biodegradable (biological magnification)
163
Q

Global distillation

A

concentrations of PCBs and heavy metals in polar regions, where low temperatures facilitate condensation of these chemicals brought by winds

164
Q

Threatened species

A

numbers of individuals of a species are low and the species is in danger of becoming endangered

165
Q

Endangered species

A

species is in immediate danger of extinction

166
Q

Extermination

A

human-induced extinctions

167
Q

Examples of marine species under threat of endangerment or extinction

A
  • Whales
  • Sharks
  • Sea Turtles
  • Reef-Building corals
  • Giant clams
168
Q

Marine Conservation Efforts

A
  • Fisheries management, especially within exclusive economic zones (EEZ)
  • Marine protected areas and marine reserves
  • Habitat restoration
  • Artificial reefs