Topic 15: Landscape and Systems Ecology

Question 1

Define landscapes

Answer 1

landscapes are a collection of communities that exist as a patchwork assembly called a mosaic

Question 2

What are the consequences of fragmentation?

Answer 2

1. smaller patches = holds less individuals
2. smaller pop = increased chances of extinction
3. less heterogeneity = less stability

Question 3

How do borders increase diversity?

Answer 3

borders can provide habitats for unique species. unique habitats in the transition zone creates unique niche opportunities. by having transition zones it increases diversity and the species can be optimized for living on the edge (edge-species).

Question 4

What are corridors?

Answer 4

across the landscape corridors connect different patches together.
strips of habitat that contain favourable conditions.

Question 5

What is systems ecology?

Answer 5

a holistic approach to the study of ecological systems, especially ecosystems.

Question 6

What is emergent properties?

Answer 6

a set of interacting parts that work together to preform a function or functions within an environment.

Question 7

What is resistance?

Answer 7

resistance to changes in external environments

Question 8

What is resilience?

Answer 8

returning back to previous functionality after a disturbance event

Question 9

What is the tipping point?

Answer 9

a disturbance can be great enough to push an ecosystem past a critical point (regime shift).

Question 10

What are detritivores?

Answer 10

sometimes called scavengers, but are vertebrates or invertebrates that fragment dead material.