final exam

Ecology

The scientific study of the interactions between organisms, the environment, and one another.

Population ecology

The study of a group of the same species, in the same place, at the same time, including population size, density, and growth.

Community ecology

The study of all populations (species) in the same area, at the same time, including abundance, diversity, and complex interactions.

Ecosystem ecology

The study of the entire community with the environmental factors (abiotic factors), including defining niche and many habitats.

Biome

All the ecosystems in a large area subject to the same climate, characterized by dominant plants and specific abiotic factors.

Biosphere

The highest level of ecological organization, encompassing all living organisms and their environments on Earth.

Environmentalism

Involves understanding ecology and applying these concepts to address concerns, especially related to human impact on the ecosystem.

Gene pool

The collection of all the alleles present in a population, subject to natural selection and evolution.

Metapopulation

A group of populations that are connected and can exchange individuals through emigration and immigration.

Symbiosis

A mutually beneficial relationship between different species.

Niche

The role of an organism in its habitat, including all the attributes and adaptations.

Adaptation

The ability of organisms to adjust to changes in their environment through physiological, anatomical, and behavioral responses.

Terrestrial biomes

Major life zones on land, characterized by specific vegetation types and climate.

Aquatic biomes

Major life zones in water, characterized by salinity and specific adaptations for water.

Abiotic factors

Nonliving factors that affect organisms throughout the levels of ecology, including physical, chemical, and climate factors.

Biotic factors

Living factors that affect organisms, including symbiosis, prey availability, and disease prevalence.

Solar energy

The ultimate energy source for Earth, which drives the variation in sunlight striking the Earth's surface and warming it.

Water

Critical for all life and a defining characteristic for ecosystems and biomes, with organisms having adaptations for both arid and water-rich environments.

Elevation effects

Changes in temperature, rainfall, and moisture/humidity with increasing elevation, influencing the distribution of terrestrial biomes.

Human impact on biomes

The conversion of land for human purposes, leading to changes in vegetation, loss of biodiversity, and alterations in the water cycle.

Land Use Change

The conversion of one type of land use to another.

Fragmentation

The process of creating smaller, disconnected lands, which can negatively impact species.

Forest Clearing

The removal of trees and vegetation in a forested area.

Unsustainable Practices

Land use practices that lead to the depletion and degradation of land.

Urban Development

The growth and expansion of cities and urban areas.

Overuse of Water Resources

The excessive use and depletion of water sources.

Population Ecology

The study of populations and their interactions with the environment.

Invasive Species

Species that are introduced into a new area and have negative impacts on the native species and ecosystem.

Population Dynamics

The study of population size and factors that affect and regulate them.

Population Density

The number of individuals per unit area in a population.

Population Age Structure

The distribution of individuals in different age categories within a population.

Life Tables and Survivorship

Tools used to study the survival and mortality rates of individuals in a population.

Life History Traits

Characteristics of an organism that influence its survival, reproduction, and overall fitness.

Population Growth

The increase or decrease in the size of a population over time.

Logistic Growth

A type of population growth that takes into account the carrying capacity of the environment.

Density Dependent Factors

Factors that affect population growth based on the density of the population.

Density Independent Factors

Factors that affect population growth regardless of population density.

Community Ecology

The study of interactions among species in a given area.

Interspecific Interactions

Interactions between different species in a community.

Trophic Structure

The organization of a community based on feeding relationships.

Food Chain

A linear representation of the flow of energy and nutrients through trophic levels.

Trophic Pyramid

A graphical representation of the energy flow and biomass distribution in a community.

Biomagnification

The process by which toxins become more concentrated as they move up the food chain.

Species Diversity

The variety of species present in a community.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its community.

Succession

The process of ecological change in an area over time.

Ecosystem Ecology

The study of energy flow and nutrient cycling in ecosystems.

Primary Production

The rate at which producers convert sunlight into biomass.

Nutrient Cycles

The cycling of nutrients through biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.

Biogeochemical Cycles

The cycling of elements between living organisms, the atmosphere, and the Earth's crust.

Aquatic Biomes

A major aquatic life zone

• 75% of the earths surface

• characterized by salinity

• supports organisms

• predators from all directions

Freshwater Biomes

Freshwater 1% salt

1% of earth

estimated 6% or described species

source of water

• ponds and lakes-standing water

• streams and rivers-moving water

  wetlands

  
  

Photic zone:

light

aphotic zone

depth or murky- no light

benthic zone

at the bottom

phytoplankton

microscopic organisms

wetlands

transition between aquatic and terrestrial biomes

swamps, marshes

improve water quality

very productive areas

carnivorous plants

often live in wetlands

standing water leeches the nitrogen from these wet soilss

nitrogen is nessasry for protiens

carnivorous trap insects to get nitrogen

( venus fly trap)

Marine biomes

3% salt

zooplankton

intertidal zone

benthic realm

pelagic realm

coral reef

estuary

coral reef

photic zone of the waters

built from the generation of coral (cnidaria)

symbiosis with algae

diversity of invertebraes and fish

intertidal zone

interface between the ocean and land

periodic inundation with ocean water: tides

estuary

the transistion between a river and an ocean

tides being in salt water: changes in salinity

very productive ares

Tropical Forest

equatorial areas: warm year around

vegatation determined by rainfall

Rain forest: 200-400cm/yr rainfall

emergent trees-

rising above the established canopy

canopy

tallest trees, first to access light

subcanopy

trees which can tolerate less light or are waiting for a chance to shoot up

understory and shrubs

tolerate less light

forest floor

herbaceous plants, leaf litter

savana

poorer soil and limites rainfall

30 -50cm/yr of rainfall-may have a dry season

grasses and scattered trees

large fast predators

fire may be an important abiotic factor

desert

low and unpredicted rainfall

<30cm yr rainfall

hot or cold

large fluctuations of temp

Death valley, CA 15-134 degrees F

-22 degrees F gobi desert

estivate

in the summer or hot climate

hibernate

winter or cold cliamte

chaparral

cool mild winters ( near coast) with hot dry summers - california

evergreen shrubs

fire dominate

Temperate grassland

priare - simialr to savanas

most endangered biome

rainfall 25-75 cm/yr

deep and rich soil

dominated by grasses

Temperate broadleaf forest

rain 75-150cm/yr

suffient rain to support trees

seasonality varies

Conferous forest

dominated by gymnosperms

taiga- northern coniferous forest

largest terrestrial biome

snowy winters, short summers

slow growth

adaptations- conical shape of trees reduce snow stress

Tundra

colder and less moisture available

permafrost- frozen land or 2 or more years

climate change is melting the permafrost

Plants adaptation to tundra

early flowering

low growing

small, waxy leaves