lecture vocab Flashcards

Question

non-target effects

Answer 1

accidental effects of things like spraying w/ insecticides

Answer 2

* West: plenty of probs, but forest is still able to recover from disturbance; maintains many of its historical, balanced interactions; relatively healthy on different scales * East: historical interactions are gone; forests are no longer able to tolerate native insects and fire; unhealthy on all scales

Answer 3

* influences all aspects of ecosystems * changes ecosystem structure (plant biomass, animal/plant species composition, vegetation succession) * influences processes such as decomp, nutrient cycling, water flow, primary productivity * not necessarily good or bad, unless are "changes of concern"

Answer 4

reuptake of chlorophyll and minerals from leaves to roots before leaves fall for winter

Answer 5

* the cyclic flow of nutrients from the nonliving to the living and back to the nonliving components of the ecosystem * two types: gaseous and sedimentary * could not exist w/o water cycle * structure * inputs * internal cycling * outputs

Answer 6

dominant decomposers of dead animal matter; aerobic or anaerobic

Answer 7

major decomposers of plant matter

Answer 8

decompose leaves, twigs, etc, classified by body width: * microfauna: protozoans, nematodes; water in soil pores * mesofauna: mites, potworms; soil air spaces * macrofauna: snails, millipedes, earthworms * megafauna (\>20mm): dominated by earthworms & snails

Answer 9

used to examine the decomposition of plant litter

Answer 10

* wet: nutrients released by precipitation * dry: nutrients brought in by airborne particles & aerosols

Answer 11

narrow region of soil that is directly influenced by root secretions and associated soil microorganisms

Answer 12

* plants supplement carbon to microbial decomposers n the rhizosphere * microbes are preyed on by microbivores that release minerals and nutrients back to the soil * result: enhancement of mineral cycling & an increase in nutrient availability to plants

Answer 13

* main pools of nutrients: atmosphere, oceans * nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen * sulfur (hybrid of gaseous/sedimentary)

Answer 14

* main pools of nutrients: soil, rocks, minerals * inorganic mineral sources are released to living animals through weathering and erosion * phosphorus * sulfur (hybrid)

Answer 15

NPP - consumer & decomposer respiration NPP = carbon uptake (photosynth) - carbon loss (respiration)

Answer 16

grazing and detritus... the source of energy for the first-level consumer (living plant biomass (primary production) vs. dead organic matter / detritus)

Answer 17

a group of individuals of the same species living in a given area at a given time

Answer 18

a group of interacting plants and animals in a given area

Answer 19

Biota + environment + interactions

Answer 20

mosaic of two or more ecosystems exchanging water, energy, nutrients, and organisms

Answer 21

major regional ecological community of plants and animals

Answer 22

thin layer about Earth in which all living organisms exist

Answer 23

energy for the transformation of CO₂ into organic molecules is supplied by the oxidation of inorganic molecules

Answer 24

energy for the transformation of CO₂ into organic molecules is supplied by the Sun

Answer 25

the process by which short wave energy from the Sun is used to fix CO₂ into carbohydrates and release O₂ 6CO₂ + 12H₂O -\> C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ + 6H₂O

Answer 26

= gross photosynthesis - Respiration measured in moles CO₂ per unit leaf area (or mass) per unit time

Answer 27

photosynthetically active radiation... the availability of light

Answer 28

light compensation point... the pont at which the net rate of PS is zero (when gross PS = respiration)

Answer 29

amount of light at which plants achieve the maximum rate of photosynthesis

Answer 30

specialized leaf cells in which photosynthesis occurs

Answer 31

openings on the surface of a leaf through which CO₂ enters and O₂ and H₂O exit

Answer 32

water loss through stomata

Answer 33

the ratio of carbon fixed (photosynthesis) per unit of water lost (transpiration) carbon fixed : water lost photosynthesis : transpiration

Answer 34

both rise with an increase in temperature, but rate of P.S. rises more quickly

Answer 35

the difference between the absorbed energy a plant receives and that which is reflected back to the environment (R_n = net radiation)

Answer 36

the balance between the uptake of CO₂ (photosynthesis) and loss (respiration), including all biomass, not just "net" photosynthesis total carbon uptake = (uptake of CO₂ in photosynthesis/leaf area) \* (total leaf area) - (loss of CO₂ in respiration/time) \* (total mass of living tissue)

Answer 37

* leaf - photosynthetic * root - uptake of water & nutrients * stem - support and encounter of sunlight allocation to leaf tissue promotes fastest growth under ideal conditions, by increasing photosynthetic surface

Answer 38

specific leaf area (cm²/g), a measure of biomass allocation

Answer 39

the ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to changes in the environment

Answer 40

photosynthetic pathway that fixes more carbon relative to water loss (compared to C₃), but uses more energy

Answer 41

crassulacean acid metabolism; photosynthetic pathway in hot desert plants, in which they only open stomata at night, collecting and storing CO₂ in malate, then proceeding with photosynthesis in the day.

Answer 42

* smaller, thicker leaves * stomatal size * cell wall thickness * density of vascular system * hairs, wax, resins * increase carbon allocation to roots

Answer 43

the conversion of cold-sensitive cells into hardy ones

Answer 44

* frost hardening * fomation/addition of protective compounds (antifreeze) * winter deciduous

Answer 45

... reduce costs associated with cold tolerance by shedding their leaves

Answer 46

... maintain photosynthetic tissue over winter, investing in protective molecules and/or physical structures

Answer 47

conical; reduce snow loads

Answer 48

* must survive variable extremes in temperature (broad temperature optima) * leaf retention (broad-leaved evergreen), stress tolerant * clumps tend to retain heat emitted by dark soil * dish-like flowers trap heat in spring

Answer 49

needed in large/small amounts

Answer 50

physiological response of organisms to length of day or night

Answer 51

the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate, plus habitat factors (ex: elevation) ex: first frost, first swallow, first leaf, etc

Answer 52

Very tolerant: W. hemlock Tolerant: WRC, Spruce (2), Mt. Hemlock, Grand fir, Subalp fir Intermediate: W. White Pine Intol: Doug fir, Ponderosa, Lodgepole

Answer 53

the study of the relationship between organisms and their environment (biotic & abiotic)

Answer 54

abiotic or biotic factors that can be consumed, making them less available for other (eg. food, water, mates); can undergo competition

Answer 55

abiotic or biotic factors that can influence an organism but can not be consumed (eg. temperature, day length, acidity); may alter competitive ability

Answer 56

the ability of the physical environment to support life

Answer 57

the long-term average pattern of weather (local / regional / global) "what you expect"

Answer 58

the combination of temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, cloudiness, and other atmospheric conditions occurring at a specific place and time "what you get"

Answer 59

* radiation and albedo * energy budgets * wind (global circ, high/low pressure systems) * temperature (effects of latitude/elevation, greenhouse effect) * moisture (types of precip, seasonal distribution, latitudinal distribution, orographic precipitation, humidity, precipitation)

Answer 60

aka relief rainfall; caused when masses of air pushed by wind are forced up the side of elevated land formations, such as large mountains

Answer 61

* ultraviolet & visible: short wave, from the sun, * infrared (heat): long wave, from the earth, a function of temperature

Answer 62

* proportion of shortwave radiation that is reflected (0-1) * white surfaces have highest albdos, dark surfaces the lowest

Answer 63

* Hadley (0-30°) * Ferrell (30-60°) * Polar (60-90°)

Answer 64

high pressure, stable, good weather

Answer 65

low pressure, unstable, bad weather

Answer 66

air temperatures increasing w/ height, usually due to warm, high pressure system moving on top of a cold, low pressure system

Answer 67

hotter and colder

Answer 68

higher / lower

Answer 69

1. increase vegetative cover 2. use porous concrete surfaces 3. change the albedo of surfaces

Answer 70

* most are dominated by broad-leafed deciduous trees * dormant during winter * new leaves in spring * photosynthesis in wet summer

Answer 71

1. short, cool, dry summers 2. mild winters 3. precipitation mostly in winter (75% between Oct-Mar)

Answer 72

1. inc. humidity 2. inc. air temps in troposphere (near surface) 3. inc. temps over land 4. inc. air temps over oceans 5. inc. sea surface temps 6. inc. sea level 7. inc. ocean heat content 8. dec. sea ice 9. dec. glaciers 10. dec. snow cover

Answer 73

1. open arctic passageways (melting glaciers/ice caps) 2. ski areas closing (dec. snow cover) 3. heat waves (inc. air temps) 4. inc. coastal flooding (inc. sea level) 5. tropical plants moving north 6. insect infestations (warmer winters) 7. dec. in ocean pH (higher CO₂ absorption)

Answer 74

CROPT * Climate * Relief/topography * Organisms/biotic activity * Parent material * Time

Answer 75

* leaf area index = the area of leaves per unit ground area * leaf area = surface area of one or both sides * cumulative leaf area and LAI increase as you move from top of forest canopy to the ground

Answer 76

brief increases in solar irradiance that occur in forest understories when sunlight is able to directly reach the ground. They are caused by either wind moving branches in the canopy or as the sun moves during the day; can account for 70-80% of solar energy reaching the ground in forest environments

Answer 77

the unconsolidated debris overlaying hard, unweathered rock

Answer 78

the destruction of rock materials into smaller particles by the action of water, wind, temperature, and organisms (esp. plant roots)

Answer 79

the destruction of rock materials into smaller particles due to chemical alteration by water, oxygen, and acids

Answer 80

* affects the physical, chemical, and biotic breakdown of parent material * leaching moves solutes throught the soil * temperature influences the rates of biochemical reactions

Answer 81

affects erosion, deposition, influence of climate (via gradient of slope)

Answer 82

* plant roots hasten process of weathering and pump nutrients from the soil depths up to the surface * photosynthesis returns some of sun's energy to the soil as organic carbon * decomposition turns dead plants/animals back into organic matter, incorporated into the soil

Answer 83

the material from which soil develops; primary determinant of soil properties

Answer 84

well-developed soil may require 2,000 - 20,000 yrs to form

Answer 85

* easily defined, useful characteristic * organic matter (humus): dark or black * iron oxides are yellowish-brown to red * manganese oxides are purplish to black * quartz, kaolin, gypsum, and carbonates are whitish and grayish

Answer 86

only biological enzyme that can break up N2 triple bond

Answer 87

... is the proportion of different-sized soil particles present; affects pore space and the movement of air and water in/through the soil * Gravel \> 2.0mm * Sand = .05 - 2.0mm * Silt = .002 - .05mm * Clay \< .002mm

Answer 88

when water fills all of the pore spaces and is held by capillary forces, at which point it is called capillary water

Answer 89

when there is more water than the pore space can hold and excess water drains from the soil

Answer 90

**profile**: the sequence of horizontal layering **horizons**: the horizontal layers of soil material

Answer 91

* **O** horizon: organic material (litter) * **A** horizon (topsoil): mineral soil and organic material leached from above accumulation (contains E) * **B** horizon (subsoil): accumulates mineral particles and contains less organic matter than above layers * **C** horizon: unconsolidated material that lies under the subsoil * **Bedrock**

Answer 92

the broadest level of soil classification, of which there are 12; brought about by regional differences in geology, climate, and vegetation

Answer 93

stored energy that is available for performing work

Answer 94

energy in motion, performs work at the expense of potential energy

Answer 95

the storage of energy and the arranging or ordering of matter

Answer 96

energy is neither created nor destroyed, it is merely transferred or transformed

Answer 97

when energy is transferred or transformed, part of the energy assumes a form that cannot pass on any further; this reduction in potential energy is referred to as entropy; the constant input of solar radiation provides the means to counteract entropy

Answer 98

gross primary production; total rate of photosynthesis, the energy assimilated by autotrophs

Answer 99

net primary production; the rate of energy storage as organic matter *after* respiration (R); NPP = GPP - R

Answer 100

the rate at which organic matter is created by photosynthesis

Answer 101

the amount of organic matter present at any given time

Answer 102

mass of organic matter / area g/m²

Answer 103

measure of the productivity of a site based on how tall trees will grow over a specified period of time; higher = more productive; ex: 50-year site index of 120 means that at age 50, the dominant trees would be expected to be 120 feet tall

Answer 104

root-to-shoot ratio * 0.21, tropical rain forest - mostly shoots * 1.2, arid shrublands - more roots than shoots * 4.5, desert - LOTS more roots than shoots

Answer 105

production by consumer organisms over time / rate at which heterotrophs produce biomass per unit area per unit time; secondary production is constrained by primary production

Answer 106

human appropriation of terrestrial NPP

Answer 107

defines the amount of available energy produced by any given trophic level (P_n-1) which is consumed by the next-higher level (I_n) I_n / P_n-1 cow / alfalfa

Answer 108

the process through which CO₂ from the atmosphere is absorbed by trees, plants, and crops through P.S., and stored as carbon in biomass and soils

Answer 109

1. the production of variation in some characteristic among individuals within the population 2. this characteristic results in differences among individuals in their survival and reproduction explains both diversity and similarity

Answer 110

the independent evolution of a similar characteristic in two different species, and NOT derived from a recent, common ancestor

Answer 111

the study of the spatial or geographical distribution of organisms, both past and present; **historical** biogeography: origin, dispersal, extinction of groups **ecological** biogeography: distribution of contemporary organisms

Answer 112

1. produces oxygen via PS 2. role in nutrient cycling & energy flows 3. affects soil characteristics 4. provides habitat and food for wildlife 5. produces food, wood, fuel, other materials for humans 6. psychologically important for humans, who evolved in direct contact w/, and dependence on, vegetation, for food, shelter, and medicine

Answer 113

the general form or appearance of something

Answer 114

Determined primarily by precipitation, then by temperature 1. Aquatic (marine / freshwater) 2. Forest (deciduous / conifer / ...) - \> 75cm rain/year 3. Grassland - 25-80cm rain/year 4. Savanna - codominance of grasses and trees 5. Tundra - cold, short growing season 6. Desert - \< 30cm rain/year

Answer 115

* **Life Zones**: based on observed differences in plant/animal communities that change w/ physical characteristics * **Ecoregion**: have similar latitudinal and continental locations that are defined by the processes that produce them. The divisions are more specific than biomes, taking into account biogeographical divisions.

Answer 116

leaves live for only a single year or growing season. **winter-deciduous**: leaves lost in response to cold **drought-deciduous**: leaves lost in response to dry conditions

Answer 117

leave live beyond a year **broadleaf: **characteristic of environments with no distinct growing season; growth continues year-round **needle-leaf: **characteristic of environments w/ a very short growing season or nutrient limitation

Answer 118

describes the local climate at representative locations around the world

Answer 119

* occur in midlatitudes in midcontinental regions where annual precipitation is reduced * temperate grassland experiences recurring drought * dominated by herbivorous species * soils: Mollisols - relatively thick, dark-brown/black surface horizon rich in organic matter

Answer 120

* occupy 25-35% of Earth's landmass * temperate deserts lie in rain shadow of mountain barriers or are located far inland * most are found in Northern Hemisphere * Sahara (North Africa) is world's largest * vegetation, species, etc vary in response to differences in * moisture * temperature * soil drainage * alkalinity * salinity * cold and high elevation hot can be considered shrub steppes or desert scrub, dominated by *Artemisia*

Answer 121

north-\>south: conifer, broadleaf decid., temperate evergreen * humid midlatitudes dominated by **broadleaf deciduous** forests * mild, moist Southern Hemisphere dominated by **temperate evergreen** forests * **Conifer forests** found mostly in broad circumpolar belt across northern hemisphere; low temps limit growing season to a few months a year

Answer 122

* Subalpine forest: Picea englemanni, Abies lasiocarpa * Middle elevations: Pseudotsuga menziesii * Low elevations: Pinus ponderosa, Pinus contorta

Answer 123

70%, agriculture

Answer 124

salinity, movement

Answer 125

Marine: open-water, coastal Freshwater: Lotic (rivers), Lentic (lakes)

Answer 126

transitional lands between aquatic and terrestrial systems where the water table is at or near the surface of the land, covered by shallow water

Answer 127

1. the land supports plants, which are adapted to wet soil conditions 2. the base land is predominately undrained wet soil 3. the base is impermeable and is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing season of the year

Answer 128

1. fish/wildlife/plant habitat 2. fish/shellfish nurseries of commercial and recreational importance 3. hold & slowly release flood water & snow melt 4. recharge groundwater 5. store/transport sediments 6. recycle nutrients 7. recreation & wildlife viewing opps for ppl additional note: high carbon + low nitrogen + tannic water = slow decomp.

Answer 129

* seashores: rocky/sandy beaches (rocky is better) * habitat for barnacles, algae, oysters, sea stars, snails * estuaries: partially enclosed bodies of water where fresh and salt water mix * challenging environment (esp. salinity) * high nutrient content * Puget Sound sometimes classified aas estuary due to large river inflows

Answer 130

the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate, as well as habitat factors (such as elevation)

Answer 131

70s; 75%; shrimp farms; estuary

Answer 132

* brown algae * dominant "overstory" species in Puget Sound * fastest growing kelp in the world * some are 120' tall

Answer 133

of, relating to, or situated on the banks of a river

Answer 134

* instant germination & rapid root growth, critical for seedling establishment * meristamatic flexibility * seeds are tiny w/o much to live on until PS starts

Answer 135

1. water, sediment, and nutrients for agriculture 2. habitat for diverse flora and fauna 3. routes for commerce 4. commercial and recreational fisheries 5. aesthetic and cultural resource 6. recreation 7. hydropower

Answer 136

1. phosphates in water from detergents, fetilizers 2. nitrogen from fertilizers 3. waterfowl feces (in smaller lakes) 4. sewage input 5. all lead to increase in plant material -\> increase in animals -\> increase in decaying vegetation and animals 6. ... which leads to increased decomp and respiration

Answer 137

non-domesticated animal species, plants, fungi, and other organisms that grow or live wild in an area

Answer 138

the ability to sustain the exploitation of natural capital to meet growing human needs, such as: * agriculture * forestry * fisheries * industry

Answer 139

the range of natural resources provided by ecosystems that humans draw upon as essential resources

Answer 140

balance, supply, demand; key terms: * **yield**: amount of resource harvested per unit time * **rotation period** / **harvest interval**: period of time for the resource to return to pre-harvest levels * **sustained yield**: req's resource to recover to preharvest levels

Answer 141

the processes by which the environment produces resources (natural capital) to benefit humans

Answer 142

adverse consequences of resource use: waste & by-products of production; pollution limits/disrupts ability of ecosystems to provide essential resources/services

Answer 143

nutrient cycle; * fertilizers must be added * pests & plant diseases spread rapidly through monocultures

Answer 144

net growth, harvest * **rotation time** depends on: * tree species * site conditions * type of management * intended use of harvested trees

Answer 145

radiation, decomposition mineralization, leaching

Answer 146

the process of assisting the recovery of and management of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed

Answer 147

1. assess initial conditions 2. set clear and achievable goals 3. select appropriate indicators 4. develop hypotheses to test 5. monitor and evaluate

Answer 148

1. rapid development to maturity 2. high r or net reproductive rate 3. small body size 4. few reproductive events 5. many small offspring 6. relatively short life span 7. high mortality rate / low offspring survival rate 8. minimal parental care / investment

Answer 149

r = growth rate constant K = carrying capacity; upper limit of pop. growth humans are K-selected, but our growth curve looks like r-selected because we keep increasing the carrying capacity

Answer 150

1. slower development to maturity 2. higher competitive ability 3. larger body size 4. repeated reproduction events 5. fewer, larger offspring 6. longer life spans 7. lower mortality rates, high offspring survival rates 8. high parental investment

Answer 151

* affects all pops regardless of pop size - usually abiotic * unusual weather patterns (rain, temp) * natural disasters * human actions: damming, altering native veg * pollution (r-selected, often)

Answer 152

* effect depends on the size of the population, usually biotic factors * availability of abiotic and biotic resources * food, space, shelter, mates * parasitism, predation, disease, competition (K-selected, often)

Answer 153

* mobility * habitat * necessary resources (biotic / abiotic) * interactions w/ other animals * predation, competition, disease

Answer 154

the # of species found on an island (the equilibrium #) is determined by: 1. the balance between extinction & immigration 2. proximity: islands closer to mainland are more likely to receive immigrants 3. size: chance of extinction greater on smaller islands

Answer 155

1. degree of isolation 2. length of isolation 3. size of island 4. climate 5. location relative to ocean currents 6. initial plant/animal composition if originally attached 7. species composition of earliest arrivals 8. serendipity/luck 9. human activity

Answer 156

fragment; loss is most important, despite usual emphasis on fragmentation

Answer 157

structural: a narrow strip of land whose composition differs from that on either side functional: 1. conduit: passage, not reproduction 2. habitat: duh 3. filter: windbreaks, hedgerows 4. barrier: roads, riparian buffers (water qual.) 5. source: local reprod. exceeds mortality 6. sink: local mortality exceeds reprod

Answer 158

1. exploiters * Norway rat (introduced) * American crow 2. adapters * Raccoon * Eastern gray squirrel (introduced) 3. avoiders * Western gray squirrel * Keen's myotis

Answer 159

a biological community where humans represent the dominant or keystone species and the built environment is the dominant element controlling the physical structure of the ecosystem

Answer 160

1. energy flow 2. nutrient and material cycling

Answer 161

1. the composition of the biological community including species, numbers, biomass, life history and distribution in space of populations 2. the qty and distribution of the abiotic materials such as nutrients, water, etc 3. the range of conditions of existence such as temperature, light, etc.

Answer 162

1. the rate of biological energy flow through the ecosystem 2. the rate of material or nutrient cycling 3. the biological or ecological regulation incl reg of orgs by env and reg of env by orgs

Answer 163

1. soils & drainage 2. water flow 3. light availability 4. albedo & winds (climate) 5. land cover (vegetation) 6. species/community composition 7. nutrient cycling 8. waste concentration 9. energy demand concentration

Answer 164

examines ecological structure and function of habitats or organisms within cities

Answer 165

systems approach applied to urban areas; one-way flows of energy and materials; sources are continuously depleted, and sinks are continually overfilled

Answer 166

* LEED = Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; based on inputs * LBC = Living Building Challenge; based on outputs * Bullitt Center is LBC

Answer 167

* Street Edge Alternatives project * pilot program, completed 2001 * designed to provide drainage that more closely mimics the natural landscape prior to development than traditional piped systems * reduced the total volume of stormwater leaving the street by 99%

Answer 168

1. dry, descending air masses 2. rain shadows of coastal mountain ranges 3. remoteness from oceanic moisture \* largely confined to two worldwide belts at 15° - 30° N & S

Answer 169

... the movement of a substance from areas of higher to lower concentrations

Answer 170

the scientific study of the relatioship between organisms and their environment

Answer 171

the Intertopical Convergence Zone, where trade winds meet, characterized by high amounts of precipitation. Air piles up, warm humid air rises and cools. When the dew point is reached, clouds form and precip. falls as rain. (The dry cool air then descends, warms, gathers moisture, causes deserts)