Introduction To Ecology

Question 1

What is ecology?

Answer 1

The study of abundance and distribution of organisms in relation to other organisms and environmental conditions

Question 2

Ecological patterns are driven by…

Answer 2

Abiotic and biotic factors

Question 3

Interactions between organisms and the environment affect the…

Answer 3

Distribution of species

Question 4

Distributions are consequences of both…

Answer 4

Behavioral Factors and evolutionary history

Question 5

Thinking like an ecologist

Answer 5

Where so species occur?
Why do species occur where they do?
What ecological factors determine their distribution?

Question 6

Intersection of ecology and evolution example

Answer 6

Caterpillars with body color that better matches the twig is less likely to be eaten
If color is heretiable, subsequent generations of caterpillars will have more and more individuals better matched to twig color
Color is an adaptation against predators

Question 7

What is dispersal?

Answer 7

Movement of individuals or gametes away from their area of origin or from centers of high population density
Contributes to the global distribution of organisms

Question 8

Factors that affect species distribution

Answer 8

Dispersal
Biotic factors
Abiotic factors

Question 9

What is range expansion?

Answer 9

When animals reach an area they did not exist previously

Question 10

Example of range expansion

Answer 10

Cattle egret immigrated from Africa to Northern South America and then migrated to North America

Question 11

What are species transplants?

Answer 11

Introduced species (intentional or accidental) provide opportunity to study dispersal

Question 12

If a transplant is successful in new area can conclude that…

Answer 12

It’s potential range of a species is larger than the actual range

Question 13

What is invasive species?

Answer 13

An organism that is not indigenous or native to a particular area

Question 14

Examples of invasive species?

Answer 14

honeysuckle, kudzu, pythons, zebra muscle, lion fish, bamboo, goldfish, rats, rabbits and dandelions

Question 15

Invasive species are a huge threat to…

Answer 15

Native wildlife

Question 16

What is range expansion (natural)?

Answer 16

When organisms reach an area they did not exist previously

Question 17

Species recover from small…

Answer 17

population and reoccupy previous habitats

Question 18

Species recover from small…

Answer 18

population and reoccupy previous habitats

Question 19

Example of range expansion (natural)

Answer 19

northern elephant seals after near extinction

Question 20

Species increase in number and increase their

Answer 20

Historic range

Question 21

What are Species transplants (experimental)?

Answer 21

Way to test the effects of the environment by moving (transplanting) species from one area to another and comparing changes
Controlled experimental set up

Question 22

Ways invasive a species are introduced

Answer 22

Accidental
On purpose

Question 23

Accidental introduction of invasive species

Answer 23

Zebra mussels stuck on the bottom of boats/ ships

Question 24

On purpose introduction of invasive species

Answer 24

Pest control ex. Cats brought to island to control mice
Pets/decorative display ex. Pythons, plants
Agriculture

Question 25

Can biotic factors affects the distribution of a species?

Answer 25

Yes

Question 26

How can biotic factors affect the distribution of a species?

Answer 26

Often interactions with other species reduces fitness

Question 27

Biotic factors?

Answer 27

Predation Herbivory Presence/ absence of pollinators Pathogens Parasites Competing organisms Conspecifics

Question 28

Abiotic factors that affect species distributions

Answer 28

Temperature Water Oxygen Salinity Sunlight If abiotic conditions do not allow a species to survive and reproduce the species will not be found there

Question 29

What is brackish?

Answer 29

More saline than freshwater but less saline than marine environment

Question 30

Ecology

Answer 30

Study of abundance and distribution of organisms in relation to other organisms and their environment

Question 31

Environment

Answer 31

Refers to other organisms and physical aspects of organism’s surrounding

Question 32

Climate has the BIGGEST…

Answer 32

influence on distribution of terrestrial (land) organisms

Question 33

Major drivers of global climate patterns

Answer 33

Input of solar energy Earth’s movement and position in space Bodies of water Mountains

Question 34

Input of solar energy

Answer 34

Sun differentially warms atmosphere, land and water

Question 35

Earth’s movement and position in space

Answer 35

Changes based on tilt and rotation of Earth how much sunlight any area is receiving

Question 36

Bodies of water

Answer 36

Large scale movements of water between continents and upward movement of deep ocean water affect climate patterns

Question 37

Mountains

Answer 37

Source of stored freshwater, create precipitation patterns, acts as barrier

Question 38

Microclimate

Answer 38

Very fine, localized patterns in climatic conditions

Question 39

What is microclimate affected by:

Answer 39

Casting shade Altering evaporation from soil Changing wind patterns

Question 40

Climate change

Answer 40

A directional change to the global climate that lasts three decades or more

Question 41

Evidence of global warming

Answer 41

Global temp rise Warming ocean Shrinking ice sheets Glacial retreat Decreased snow cover Sea level rise Declining arctic sea ice Extreme events Ocean acidification