APES - unit 1

definitions

intraspecific

intraspecific

competition between members of the same species

interspecific

competition between members of different species

competitive exclusion

1 species is a stronger competitor than the other

coexisting species

species alter behaviors to minimize competition, altering their niche

niche

A species role in an ecosystem

selective pressure

when the environment pushes an individual or population to adapt or evolve

parasitism

One organism benefits and the other is harmed

mutualism

symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit

temperate deciduous forest

Extreme range of temperatures with different seasons
Even precipitation throughout
Trees lose leaves in winter

temperate grasslands

Extreme summers and winters
Diminishing rainfall in different seasons
Prairies
Rich soil

temperate rainforest

moderate temperatures
high precipitation
coastal

tropical rainforest

Constant, high precipitation
High temperatures, dark, damp
Most productive biome

tropical dry forest

Relatively high temperatures
Distinct dry season
Wet 50% of year, dry the other 50%

savanna

tropical grassland
dry, tropical areas
distinct wet and dry seasons
high temperatures

desert

Extreme range of temperatures
Very low precipitation
Driest biome

Tundra

Very dry/little precipitation
Very low temperatures
Underground soil is permafrost
Most directly impacted by climate change
Least productive biome

boreal forest

Low temperatures
Low precipitation
Acidic soils
Dominated by evergreen trees
"Taiga"

Chaparral

Mild, wet winters
Dry, hot summers
Dense thicket of shrubs
"shrubland"

intertidal

biome between high and low tide

marshland

low lying wetlands
near shorelines
tides washing over sandy substrates
"salt marshes"

mangroves

along coasts
protect shorelines
provide a place for organism to thrive on

estuary

where ocean saltwater meets stream freshwater
creates brackish water
fluctuating salinity
one of most productive

coral reef

The most diverse marine biome on Earth
found in warm, shallow waters beyond the shoreline
have symbiotic relationship with algae and zooxnthellae

open ocean

plankton is basis of food web
ecosystems form around deep hydrothermal vents using chemosynthesis

carbon cycle

Phosphorus cycle

water cycle

nitrogen cycle

carbon reservoirs

living organisms
atmosphere
ocean (2nd largest)
sedimentary rock (largest)
fossil fuels

carbon steps

photosynthesis
consumption
respiration
combustion
decomposition

nitrogen reservoirs

atmosphere
soil
plants

nitrogen steps

fixation
ammonification
nitrification
assimilation
dentrification

phosphorus reservoirs

above land rock
soil/sedimentary rock
ocean
atmosphere

phosphorus steps

weathering of rock
assimilation
consumption
decomposition

water reservoirs

ocean
ice caps
streams

water steps

precipitation
accumulation
evaporation
condensation

primary productivity

rate of photosynthesis

gross primary productivity

total energy produced by photosynthesis

net primary productivity

gross p.p. - respiration

productivity

rate at which energy is converted to biomass

photic zone

Top layer of the ocean where solar energy is absorbed and primary productivity occurs

pelagic zone

Middle layer of the ocean

benthic zone

Bottom layer of the ocean

tropic level

rank in the feeding hierarchy

10%

The amount of energy transferred from one trophic level to another