Lecture One - Ecology I Flashcards
Define organismal ecology.
The branch of ecology concerned with the morphological, physiological and behavioural ways in which an individual organism meets the challenges posed by their biotic and abiotic environments.
Define population ecology.
Deals with the dynamics of species populations and how these population interact with the environment.
Define community ecology.
The study of the interaction between the species within a community.
Define ecosystem ecology.
Study of the interaction between biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems.
Note: Ecosystem - a biological community of interacting organisms and their environment.
Define landscape ecology.
Landscape ecology is the study of the pattern and interaction between ecosystems within a region of interest, and the way the interactions affect ecological processes.
Define global ecology.
Relationships of organisms with one another and their environments on a global scale.
List factors limiting distribution.
- Dispersal
- Species transplants
- Behavioural and habitat selection
- Biotic and abiotic factors
- Fire
- Water
- Salinity
- Sunlight
- Rocks and soil
- Climate including:
- Glbal climate patters
- Seasonal pattens
- Global circulation
- Wind patterns
- Proximity to bodies of water
- Mountains
- Seasonality
Define dispersal.
Movement of individuals away from centres of high population density or from their area of origin.
How do species transplants affect distribution?
- Species transplants occur when organisms are accidentally or intentionally relocated from their original distribution.
- Transplants often disrupt the communities or ecosystems to which they are introduced.
- E.g. The introduction of the Cane Toad into Australia.
How does behaviour and habitat selection affect distribution?
- Some organisms do not occupy all of their potential range.
- Species distribution may be limited by habitat selection behaviour.
Name biotic factors that can affect distribution.
- Interactions with other species
- Predation
- Competition
Name abiotic factors that can affect distribution.
- Temperature
- Water
- Sunlight
- Wind
How does fire affect distribution?
Plants have evolved to:
- Reseed: Self-sown seeds.
- Resprout: Some plant species are able to survive fire by the activation of dormant vegetative buds to produce regrowth.
Plants may resprout by means of lignotubers at the base of epicormic buds on the trunk or major branches.
The frequency and intensity of fires influences species composition and vegetation.
How does water affect distribution?
Availability of water affects species distribution.
How does salinity affect distribution?
Affects water balance of organisms through osmosis.
How does sunlight affect distribution?
- Intensity and quality affect photosynthesis.
- Water absorbs light, therefore in aquatic environments most photosynthesis occurs near the surface.
How do rocks and soil affect distribution?
- The physical structure of the rocks and soil affect what can live in that environment.
- The pH of the soil
- The mineral composition of the rocks and soil.
Define a macro climate.
Consists of patterns on the global, regional and local level.
Define micro climate.
Consists of very fine patterns, such as those encountered by the community e.g. under a called log.
A local atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding area.
How are global climate patters determined?
Largely by the solar energy and the planets movements in space.
How can seasonal patters affect distribution?
The varying light levels and temperatures can have an effect on distribution patterns.
How can global circulations affect distribution?
Air circulation and precipitation patterns help determine climate patters, which in turn, help determine where organisms can survive and live.
How can wind patterns affect distribution?
Air flowing close to the Earths surface creates predictable global wind patters. These wind patterns help to determined where organisms can survive and live.
How can the proximity to bodies of water affect distribution?
oceans and large lakes moderate the climate of near by terrestrial environments, making these environments suitable for particular organisms to exist.
