Module 1

Question 1

What is Ecology?

Answer 1

The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Question 2

What are the three things that Ecology works to recognize, study, and understand?

Answer 2

Patterns in nature, Interactions among organisms & their environments, and understand the evolutionary Mechanisms that have led to the patterns & processes we observe.

Question 3

What patterns do ecologists look for in nature?

Answer 3

-similar morphology, physiology, behavior, genetics
-distribution and abundance patterns of individual species
-life history patterns
-population structure
-activity patterns, behavior patterns, etc.

Question 4

Biotic interactions

Answer 4

Interactions between living components of a natural system.

Question 5

Abiotic interactions

Answer 5

Interactions with the physical, non-living, environment

Question 6

Intraspecific

Answer 6

An interaction in a population where members of the same species compete for limited resources.

Question 7

Interspecific

Answer 7

A form of competition in which individuals of different species compete for the same resources in an ecosystem.

Question 8

Mechanism

Answer 8

a process by which something takes place

Question 9

Functional (proximate) mechanisms

Answer 9

=”how” a system operates
-systems as they currently exist and can be measured now

Question 10

Evolutionary (ultimate) mechanisms

Answer 10

=”Why” a system evolved to operate in a particular way
-What led to the current system and how might it change in the future?
-Why does natural selection favor a particular trait?

Question 11

Descriptive science/ Natural history

Answer 11

-Descriptions based on verifiable observations & measurements
-Finding new patterns or correlations
-Essential for finding patterns and for formulating hypotheses

Question 12

Hypothesis-based science

Answer 12

Scientific Hypotheses = proposed explanations of the cause of observable phenomena that can be tested via observation or experimentation.

Question 13

What are the 4 ways to test ecological hypothesis?

Answer 13

1. Observational field studies
2. Controlled lab experiments
3. Controlled field experiments
4. Theoretical models

Question 14

Observational field study

Answer 14

CORRELATION IS NOT CAUSATION
Observation: Ribeiroia parasites found in many deformed frogs
Hypothesis: Deformed frogs will only occur in ponds containing Ribeiroia parasites
Test: Sample water for the presence of Ribeiroia from ponds in which deformed frogs have and have not been found
Results: Deformed frogs only occurred in ponds containing Ribeiroia parasites
Conclusion: Ribeiroia infection leads to deformities

Question 15

Controlled lab experiment

Answer 15

What is a “control”? The group where the factor being tested is not applied
-Is compared to the treatment group(s) to increase the likelihood that observed results are related to the tests being performed

Question 16

Controlled field experiment

Answer 16

Test: 6 ponds, 3w/ and 3w/o pesticide contamination
6 tadpole cages per pond, 3 w/ mesh size that allowed parasite to enter, 3 w/ mesh that prevented parasite from entering.
The control is the ones the cages without pesticides and prevent Riberioria from entering

Question 17

Theoretical Models

Answer 17

Conceptual, graphical or mathematical hypotheses used to describe, explain, predict, and understand empirical objects, phenomena, and physical processes.
-Theoretical model hypotheses rely on real data collected from natural history or other types of hypothesis-based studies

Question 18

Theoretical models allow us to:

Answer 18

A) Understand complex phenomena
B) Predict or simulate ecological processes
C) Design conservation strategies

Question 19

Scientific “Peer Review”

Answer 19

= Evaluation of scientific, academic, or professional work by others working in the same field.
used to:
-maintain high-quality research standards
-provide increased credibility
-determine the suitability of a research paper for publication