Organisms and their Environment Flashcards
(18 cards)
What are abiotic factors and examples?
Non-living components of the environment, such as pH, humidity, wind speed, average rainfall
Examples of abiotic factors include temperature, sunlight, and soil composition.
What do biotic factors refer to and importance?
Living things in the environment, including plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and protists
Biotic factors play a crucial role in shaping ecosystems and their dynamics.
How do abiotic and biotic factors affect ecosystems?
They determine structure and patterns in ecosystems
Variations in abiotic and biotic factors can lead to different ecological dynamics and community structures.
What is zonation in ecology?
A spatial pattern that occurs horizontally along the ground, where density and distribution of species vary along a gradient
Zonation can be influenced by factors like soil type, moisture levels, and sunlight availability.
Define stratification in ecological terms.
A spatial pattern that occurs vertically, determined by the height of organisms
Stratification is often seen in forest ecosystems where different layers host different species.
What is ecological succession?
A temporal pattern reflecting a change in species composition over time
It often results in increased species diversity leading to a stable climax community.
True or False: Two species can share the same ecological niche.
False
The concept of niche differentiation is crucial for species coexistence.
What is resource partitioning?
A mechanism that allows two species to coexist in the same location by utilizing different resources
Resource partitioning can involve variations in feeding habits, habitat preferences, or timing of activity.
What is a fundamental niche?
The total range of environmental factors suitable for the existence of a species without competition
This concept helps in understanding a species’ potential habitat and ecological role.
What does the competitive exclusion principle state?
Two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot coexist indefinitely
This principle explains why biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem stability.
What are limiting factors?
Conditions or factors that influence the distribution or population size of an organism
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What is the range of tolerance?
The range of abiotic factors within which a species can survive
Each population has an optimum range where it thrives best.
Fill in the blank: The availability of _______ is important for the survival of almost all forms of animal life.
water
Water is also crucial for plants for processes such as germination, growth, and reproduction.
What major nutrient is considered limiting in freshwater ecosystems?
Phosphorus
Low phosphorus levels can keep algae populations in check, while excess can lead to harmful algal blooms.
How does pH affect aquatic organisms?
Changes in pH can affect mineral availability and osmotic balance in organisms
Most aquatic organisms prefer a neutral pH for optimal functioning.
What influence does temperature have on aquatic ecosystems?
Temperature affects enzyme activity, metabolic processes, and organism survival; less sunlight penetrates deeper waters
Sudden temperature changes can be particularly harmful to aquatic organisms.
Why is sunlight important in aquatic ecosystems?
It influences photosynthesis in primary producers and the overall productivity of the ecosystem
can only penetrate water up to certain depths below the surface
Without adequate sunlight, producers cannot generate oxygen and food for consumers.
What happens to dissolved oxygen levels with water depth?
Dissolved oxygen levels decrease with increasing water depth
Oxygen is essential for respiration in aquatic organisms, and low levels can lead to high mortality rates.
