Ecology Quiz

Soil Horizons in Order

O horizon

A horizon

E horizon

B horizon

C horizon

R horizon

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O horizon

Topmost layer of soil, composed of a high percentage of ORGANIC matter

A horizon

Second layer of soil, darkened by the ACCUMULATION of organic matter and minerals

E horizon

Layer of soil where leaching/ELUVIATION (removal) of clays, organic matter, iron, and aluminum occurs

B horizon

Layer of soil transformed suBstantially by soil processes such as structure development and deposition of materials

C horizon

Layer of soil that is minimally affected by soil formation processes

R horizon

BedROCK

3 types of soil weathering

Physical, chemical, biological

Physical weathering

Breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller pieces w/o changing their chemical composition

Examples of physical weathering

Freeze-thaw cycles, abrasion, thermal expansion

Chemical weathering

The alteration of the chemical composition of rocks, often due to reactions w/ water, oxygen, acids, or other chemicals

Examples of chemical weathering

Oxidation (rusting), hydrolysis (clay), Carbonation (acid dissolves rocks)

Biological weathering

Breakdown of rocks by living organisms

Examples of biological weathering

Plant roots growing into cracks, production of organic acids by microbes or fungi

The 5 components of soil

Minerals

Soil organic matter

Living organisms

Gas

Water

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Where is the majority of freshwater stored?

Frozen as ice in glaciers and ice caps

What are the different zones of a freshwater body?

Littoral zone, Limnetic zone, Benthic zone

What are the different trophic categories of freshwater bodies?

Oligotrophic, Mesotrophic, Eutrophic

Littoral zone

Shallow, near-shore area of a freshwater body where light can reach bottom. Supports plant life (including algae) and a high variety of organisms (fish, insects, invertebrates)

Limnetic zone

Open water zone of a freshwater body, typically further from shore. Deeper than the littoral zone, but light still reaches, allowing for photosynthesis. Supports plankton + some fish, but no rooted plants

Benthic zone

Bottom layer of a freshwater body, including sediment and soil. Has benthic invertebrates (such as worms, snails and crustaceans). Plays a key role in nutrient cycling

Oligotrophic

Freshwater body that is low in nutrients (usually N and P) leading to low productivity. Usually has clear water, low algal growth, and high oxygen levels

Mesotrophic

Freshwater body that is moderately rich in nutrients with moderate productivity. Balanced between aquatic plant growth and clear water. Some algal growth, but generally maintains a good level of oxygen.

Eutrophic

Freshwater body high in nutrients, leading to excessive productivity and plant growth (particularly algae). Results in low oxygen levels, murky water, and can lead to hypoxic/anoxic conditions, harming aquatic life.

Spring tides

The sun and moon are in direct line with each other during new or full moons, resulting in extra high and extra low tides.

Neap tides

The sun and moon are perpendicular to each other during 1st or 3rd quarters, resulting in less difference between tidal heights.

Abiotic factors in marine ecosystems

Salinity, temperature, light availability, water pressure, nutrients, oxygen levels, ocean currents, pH, tides, and wave action

Producers in marine ecosystems

Algae, phytoplankton, and seaweed

Examples of marine adaptations

Buoyancy, osmoregulation to maintain salt balance, pressure adaptations, temperature adaptations, camoflage, light adaptations (such as bioluminescence)

Biological Pump

Process by which carbon gets absorbed from atmosphere by ocean organisms and eventually reaches the deep ocean

Organisms that begin the biological pump process

Phytoplankton that use CO2 for photosynthesis. The plankton die, produce waste, or are consumed and excreted as waste/the organism that consumed them dies, and the carbon in their organic material sinks to the bottom. Bacteria then break down the waste as they sink.