Vocab 21-40 (Ecology)

Question 1

The ability to meet the current needs of humanity without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Answer 1

Sustainability

Question 2

(1968 paper by ecologist Garret Hardin) “Freedom to breed,” is bringing ruin to all Global commons such as the atmosphere and oceans are used by all and owned by none. When no individual has ownership, no one takes responsibility

Answer 2

The Tragedy of the Commons

Question 3

Organisms that possess favorable adaptations survive and pass them onto the next generation

Answer 3

Natural Selection

Question 4

only 10% of the usable energy is transferred because usable energy is lost as heat (second law); not all biomass is digested and absorbed; predators expend energy to catch prey; the 10% value is an average value

Answer 4

Energy flow in food webs or chains, through trophic systems:

Question 5

living and nonliving components of an ecosystem

Answer 5

biotic and abiotic

Question 6

a type of population interaction, usually over a limited resource - may be intraspecific or interspecific

Answer 6

competition

Question 7

photosynthetic or chemosynthetic life; Chemotroph - organism undergoing chemosynthesis - usually carried out by sulfur bacteria in aphotic zones in the ocean

Answer 7

producer/autotroph

Question 8

development of communities in a lifeless area not previously inhabited by life or those in which the soil profile is totally destroyed (lava flows); no soil substrate present; begins with lichen action

Answer 8

Primary Succession

Question 9

Life progresses where soil remains (clear-cut forest, fire, disturbed areas)

Answer 9

Secondary Succession

Question 10

A symbiotic relationship where both partners benefit and both participate

Answer 10

Mutualism

Question 11

symbiotic relationship where one partner benefits and the other is unaffected or may benefit

Answer 11

Commensalism

Question 12

relationship in which one partner obtains nutrients at the expense of the host

Answer 12

Parasitism

Question 13

large distinct terrestrial region having similar climate, soil, plants, and animals; terrestrial biomes determining factors are temperature and precipitation

Answer 13

Biome

Question 14

the number of individuals (size of population) that can be sustained in an area (supported by available resources in the environment)

Answer 14

Carrying Capacity

Question 15

• reproduce early in life
• many small unprotected offspring
• tend to be generalists
• short lifespan

Answer 15

R strategist

Question 16

• reproduce later in life
• few offspring
• care for offspring
• tend to be specialists
• longer lifespan

Answer 16

K strategist

Question 17

when a change in some condition triggers a response that intensifies the changed condition

Answer 17

Positive feedback:

Question 18

said human population increases exponentially while food supplies increase arithmetically; factors that keep the population in check include war, famine, and disease

Answer 18

Malthus

Question 19

rule of 70; 70 divided by the percent growth rate

Answer 19

Doubling Time

Question 20

When a change in a condition triggers a response that counteracts the changed condition

Answer 20

Negative feedback: