Systems Ecology Flashcards
what is an ecosystem?
It’s a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. They can range from pioneer systems to “stable” climax systems.
What are some ecosystem components?
- Biological components need a source of energy
- Primary production from sunlight in rainforest biome
tell me three filters that happen in an ecosystem
Dispersal filtering, Environmental filtering and Biotic
what is dispersal filtering?
It refers to the influence of dispersal abilities on the composition and assembly of ecological communities. Dispersal is the movement of individuals from their birthplace to a new location, and it plays a key role in determining which species can reach and establish populations in a particular habitat.
what is biotic filtering?
It refers to the influence of living organisms on the composition and structure of ecological communities. Biotic filtering involves the interactions between organisms within an ecosystem.
what is the trait-based approach?
is a framework used in ecology to understand how communities of species come together in a particular habitat. One key mechanism in the trait-based approach is habitat or environmental filtering.
The key points in the trait-based approach are:
Trait Selection, Trait Convergence, Community Similarity
what is trait diversity and functional responce?
Trait diversity refers to the variety of functional traits present within a community of organisms. Traits are specific characteristics or features of an organism, such as its morphology, physiology, behaviour, or life history strategies. Functional traits are those that influence an organism’s performance and its role in the ecosystem. Trait diversity, therefore, reflects the range and variability of these functional traits among the species in a given ecological community.
What are intertidal flats, and where are they typically found?
Intertidal flats are coastal areas that experience regular changes in water level due to tides. They are typically found in sheltered locations like estuaries, bays, and lagoons.
Describe the characteristics of the Dutch Wadden Sea ecosystem and the primary producers present in its intertidal flats.
he Dutch Wadden Sea ecosystem is rich in fine particles like silt, clay, and organic matter. Primary producers include pelagic algae, benthic algae (mainly diatoms), macroalgae, seagrasses, and salt marsh plants.
What are some physiological adaptations and behaviors exhibited by resident organisms to cope with the challenging environmental conditions of intertidal flats?
Resident organisms exhibit adaptations like burrowing, attaching to hard structures, and altering sediment conditions to cope with fluctuating water levels, temperature, salinity, and sedimentation.
Explain the concept of ecosystem engineers and provide examples of species in the Dutch Wadden Sea, such as mussels, oysters, seagrass, and lugworms.
Ecosystem engineers are species that modify their environment to benefit themselves and others. Examples include mussels, oysters, seagrass, and lugworms in the Dutch Wadden Sea.
How do mussels and oysters modify their environment, and what ecological roles do they play in the local food web?
Mussels and oysters aggregate and attach to each other, forming hard structures that protect them and serve as habitats. They also filter water, affecting sediment conditions and nutrient availability in the local food web.
What are some components of ecosystems, and why do biological components need a source of energy?
Components of ecosystems include biological organisms, physical environments, and interactions between them. Biological components need a source of energy for processes like growth, reproduction, and metabolism.
How does pH change in aquatic ecosystems during the day and night, and what factors contribute to these fluctuations?
During the day, pH increases due to photosynthesis by algae and plants, leading to a shift in the carbon equilibrium. At night, pH decreases as organisms use oxygen and produce CO2 during respiration.
What distinguishes salt marshes from tidal flats, and how does this difference influence the vegetation in these coastal wetlands?
Salt marshes are periodically flooded by tides, but the flooding is less frequent and shorter in duration compared to tidal flats. This allows terrestrial plants to grow in salt marshes, influencing the vegetation.
What are some abiotic conditions that vary in salt marshes, and how do these conditions impact the composition and functioning of plant and animal communities?
Abiotic conditions in salt marshes include tidal inundation periods, nutrient and sediment loads, and freshwater versus saltwater input. These conditions significantly influence the composition and functioning of plant and animal communities.
What are the physical stressors faced by salt marshes, particularly in low marsh areas, and how do these stressors impact the sediment and oxygen conditions in the ecosystem?
Physical stressors in low marsh areas include trapping fine silt, organic matter accumulation, and regular inundation. These stressors can lead to oxygen-deprived conditions and the production of toxic sulphide in sediment.
How do salt marsh plants, especially halophytes, adapt to the challenges of salinity stress, and what physiological mechanisms do they employ for coping with anoxic conditions?
Salt marsh plants adapt to salinity stress through mechanisms like osmotic adjustment, salt excretion by salt glands, and ion concentration. Some plants have adaptations to tolerate anoxic conditions, such as the presence of large air channels in their roots.
In what ways do salt marsh plants mutually benefit each other, and what ecological advantages result from their interactions, such as shading the soil and reducing evaporation?
Salt marsh plants mutually benefit each other by shading the soil, reducing evaporation, trapping sediment to enhance nutrient availability, and increasing the marsh platform’s elevation.
Describe the successional development of salt marshes, starting with pioneer species and progressing to middle and high marsh zones. What role does vegetation density play in sediment trapping?
Successional development begins with pioneer species like glasswort and cordgrass, leading to sediment trapping. Vegetation density affects sediment trapping, creating silt-rich middle marsh zones dominated by different plant species.
What positive and negative interactions occur between fauna and flora in salt marsh ecosystems, and how do lugworms influence the growth of Spartina anglica seedlings?
Lugworms inhibit the growth of Spartina anglica seedlings by destabilizing sediment and burying plants. Positive and negative interactions between fauna and flora are essential for the ecological functioning of salt marshes. As organic matter increases with succession, detritivory becomes more prominent.
what are pioneer species?
Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize a newly formed or disturbed habitat. They are characterized by their ability to tolerate harsh environmental conditions, such as bare soil, high levels of sunlight, and limited nutrient availability.
