ecosystem apes 1

the nitrogen cycle

1. nitrogen fixation - N2 to NH4

2. ammonification - decomposer to NH4

3. nitrification - NO2 - NO3

4. assimilation - NO3 to autotroph

ammonium

(NH4) toxic to plants

nitrites

(NO2) toxic to plants

nitrates

(NO3) vital for growth and passed up through trophic levels, eventually absorbed by humans

eutrophication

process where excess nutrients saturate the water near areas of terrestrial runoff, resulting in algae blooms

non-point source pollution

agricultural runoff is often linked to eutrophication

nitrogen (non point pollution)

synthetic fertilizer and animal waste runoff into streams and makes their way to larger bodies of water via watershed

phosphorus (non point source of pollution)

other fertilizers contain mineral phosphorus to further stimulate plant growth which can also run off into the watershed

deadzones

areas form in the water when aerobic bacteria decompose the dead plant matter

• marine organisms die off due to decreased dissolved oxygen

algae blooms

surplus of nutrients cause rapid algae growth

• produce toxins

• deplete oxygen in water

• blocking sunlight

• disrupting food chains

species

group capable of mating with one another to produce fertile offspring

fundamental niche

overall niche of an organism

realized niche

actual part of the niche an organism occupies due to competition

r- selected

broad niche, pioneer species, many offspring, quickly mature for reproduction, high environmental tolerance, typically small size

K - selected

narrow niche, late successional species, fewer + larger offspring, low environmental tolerance, typically large adults

intra specific competition

comp. between members of the same species for resources

inter specific competition

comp. two different species for the same resources

competitive exclusion

niches of organisms can only overlap for a very brief time

resources partioning

division of limited resources by species to help avoid competition in an ecological niche

environmental tolerance

distribution of species in an ecosystem determine by levels of one or more physical / chemical limiting factors being with in range tolerated by that system

limiting factors

too much or too little abiotic factors that can limit / prevent growth of a population even if all other factors are at optimum level

exponential growth

J curve(r- selected)

logistic curve

S curve(K-selected)

mutualism

both species benefit

commensalism

one unaffected , one benefits

paratism

host is harmed, one benefits

native species

normally live and thrive in ecosystem

invasive

pathogens, likely cause harm

idicator species

if the species decline it is a warning, and vice versa

keystone species

without this the whole ecosystem would crumble.

ESA - endangered species act

federal law preventing the hunting and selling of certain species

CITES - convention of international trade in endangered species

regulations on the movement of proctected species

HIPPCO

1. Habitat

2. Invasive

3. Population growth

4. Pollution

5. Climate change

6. Overexploitation