Video Notes: Ocean Ecology and Population Ecology - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the video notes on ocean ecology, population ecology, and science communication.

Photic zone

Ocean layer where sunlight reaches enough for photosynthesis, enabling photosynthetic organisms to live there.

Photosynthesis

Process by which light energy converts CO2 and water into organic matter and O2, supporting life in the ocean.

Macroalgae

Large algae; kelp is an example that forms dense underwater vegetation.

Kelp forest

Dense underwater vegetation formed by kelp that creates thick habitat structure.

Biotic interaction

Interactions between living organisms (e.g., predation, herbivory) that can shape ecosystems.

Echinodermata

Phylum including sea urchins; among closest in lineage to chordates.

Sea urchin

Echinoderm that grazes on kelp; uses tube feet/pseudopods for movement and feeding; has a beak-like mouth.

Tube feet

Suction-capped appendages used by echinoderms for movement and feeding.

Pseudopods

Temporary projections used by some organisms to aid movement and feeding.

Beak (sea urchin mouthpart)

Jaw-like structure used by urchins to graze on kelp.

Biotic control

Influence on organism distributions and abundances arising from living interactions like predation.

Abiotic factor

Non-living environmental factor that can shape species distribution (e.g., climate, water chemistry).

Biotic factor

Living interactions (predation, herbivory, competition) that shape distributions.

Independent variable

The treatment condition in an experiment (e.g., urchin presence vs. removal).

Dependent variable

The response variable measured in an experiment (e.g., kelp/seaweed cover).

Frame-based sampling

A method using defined frames/plots to quantify cover or abundance.

Replication

Repeating treatments across multiple sites or samples to reduce site-specific bias.

Confound

Another factor that could influence results, potentially biasing conclusions.

Population

Group of individuals of the same species living in the same space/time and capable of interbreeding.

Population density

Number of individuals per unit area (N divided by A).

Species richness

Total number of different species present in a given area.

Births

Increases population size through reproduction.

Deaths

Decreases population size through mortality.

Immigration

Arrival of individuals from outside the population.

Emigration

Departure of individuals from the population.

dN/dt = B - D + I - E

Population change equation: births minus deaths plus immigration minus emigration.

Simple births–deaths model

A teaching simplification where dN/dt ≈ B - D, ignoring immigration and emigration.

Density

Population size divided by area (N/A); a measure of how many individuals occupy a given space.

Invasive species

A species introduced to a region where it spreads, not applicable to kelp in the discussed context.

Yellowstone bison

Conservation success case study showing density rebound within a protected park after near-extinction.

Aerial survey

Counting method using aircraft to estimate population size.

Image analysis

Using photos or videos to estimate counts or cover in population studies.

Kinship

Evolutionary relatedness and shared ancestry among life; a key idea in language and science discussion.

Nonhuman pronouns

Using pronouns like kin or he for living beings to acknowledge life and relatedness.

Human exceptionalism

Idea that humans are unique or superior in nature; discussed in relation to language about nature.

All models are wrong, some are useful

Caveat about modeling: simplified models reveal major drivers but omit some complexity.

Kelp cover

Amount of ground or water surface covered by kelp; a common response variable in studies.

Distribution vs abundance

Distribution refers to where a species occurs; abundance refers to how many individuals are present.

Boundary

Defined spatial area that delineates the population (e.g., park boundary for Yellowstone).