Biomes and Ecosystems

What is an ecosystem?

A community of organisms interacting with their physical environment.

What is the difference between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems?

Terrestrial ecosystems are land-based, while aquatic ecosystems are water-based.

What is an ecotone?

A transitional area between two ecosystems that is often more biodiverse and resilient.

What is an ecological niche?

The role of an organism in an ecosystem, including its food web, habitat, and breeding.

What is resource partitioning?

When species divide resources to reduce competition.

What are exotic species?

Non-native species that may disrupt an ecosystem.

Define biome.

A large-scale ecosystem defined by climate, vegetation, and organisms.

What defines a tundra biome?

A cold, dry biome with permafrost and low biodiversity.

What characterizes the taiga biome?

A boreal forest with cold winters and coniferous trees.

What is the difference between oligotrophic and eutrophic lakes?

Oligotrophic lakes are nutrient-poor and clear, while eutrophic lakes are nutrient-rich and often murky.

Define the term 'carrying capacity'.

The maximum population an environment can support sustainably.

What does the Law of the Minimum state?

The most limited resource determines an organism's success.

What is ecological succession?

The gradual process of change in an ecosystem over time.

What is permafrost?

Permanently frozen soil found in tundra regions.

What is turbidity a measure of?

The cloudiness of water, which indicates particle concentration.

What are the layers of soil?

Litter, topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock.

What is the significance of the littoral zone in a lake ecosystem?

It is the shallow area where sunlight reaches the bottom and supports plants and animals.

What are biotic and abiotic factors?

Biotic factors are living components affecting ecosystems, while abiotic factors are non-living components like temperature and water.

What are the types of deforestation?

Clear-cutting, selective cutting, and slash-and-burn.

How does point source pollution differ from nonpoint source pollution?

Point source pollution comes from a single identifiable source, while nonpoint source pollution comes from multiple diffused sources.

What is biotic potential?

The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under ideal environmental conditions.

What factors regulate an organism's biotic potential?

Factors include food availability, predation, disease, and competition.

What role does density-dependent regulation play in biotic potential?

It refers to factors that intensify as population density increases, such as competition and predation.

How does density-independent regulation affect biotic potential?

These are limiting factors that are not affected by population density, like natural disasters and climate.

What is a natural ecosystem?

An ecosystem that has developed without human influence, such as forests, oceans, and wetlands.

What is an artificial ecosystem?

An ecosystem that is largely created or modified by humans, such as urban parks, farms, and gardens.

What is groundwater?

Water located beneath the earth's surface, often stored in aquifers.

What is the epilimnion layer in a lake?

The warm, top layer of water in a stratified lake, well-mixed and oxygen-rich.

What is the hypolimnion layer?

The cold, dense bottom layer of water in a stratified lake, typically poorer in oxygen.

What is the thermocline?

The transitional layer in a lake where temperature changes rapidly with depth.

What is leaching in the context of aquatic ecosystems?

The process by which soluble substances are washed out from the soil into the groundwater or water bodies.

What defines temperate deciduous forests?

Forests characterized by four distinct seasons, trees that shed leaves in the fall, and a diverse range of flora and fauna.

What are the key features of grasslands?

Grasslands are ecosystems dominated by grasses, with few trees, and they typically have moderate rainfall and are found in regions suitable for agriculture.

What is muskeg?

A type of wetland composed of peat and saturated with water, typically found in cooler climates, supporting unique plant and animal life.

How do deciduous forests differ from coniferous forests?

Deciduous forests have trees that lose their leaves seasonally, while coniferous forests mainly consist of evergreen trees that retain their leaves year-round.

What is the littoral zone in a lake ecosystem?

The shallow area where sunlight penetrates, supporting diverse plant and animal life.

What defines the limnetic zone in a lake?

The open water area of a lake that is well-lit and supports plankton and fish.

What is the profundal zone in a lake ecosystem?

The deep, dark layer of a lake where sunlight does not reach, often with low oxygen levels.