Ecology Quiz pt.1

physical geography

the spatial distributions of Earth's climates and surface features

biogeography

the spatial distributions of species

how is physical geography and biogeography connected

species have adapted to biotic and abiotic factors

traits of large ecosystems

more complex, more interactions, interactions occur over greater spans of time and space: ex. gut community

traits of small ecosystems

less diversity, may contain large numbers of organisms

Human impact on biogeography

reduction of biodiversity- agriculture/introduction of species, ecosystems becoming more homogeneous, similar to human diversity

conservation ecology

sustainable use and management of natural resources

ex. regulated hunting

preservation ecology

maintaining the present condition of ecosystems "untouched" by humans

ex. restricted use of areas

restoration ecology

restoring function of damaged ecosystems

ex. mine restoration

population size

number of individuals in the population

population density

number of individuals per unit area

how to calculate population density

population density = total population/land area

geographic range

entire region where species occur

habitat

characteristic environment occupied by a species

home range

area which an animal will travel looking for food/mates which may overlap with other individuals

territory

sociogeographical area that an animal consistently defends against others

What populations are dynamic

R selected species fluctuate (are more dynamic) than K selected species

How to calculate future population

N t+1 = N t + B - D

N t+1 = N t + r(N t)

Demography

the study of the factors that influence birth, death, and population growth rates

Survivorship

the fraction of individuals that survive to a particular life stage or age

Fecundity

the average number of offspring they produce at each life stage

Resources

materials and energy needed to survive and reproduce

Resource acquisition increases as …..

resource availability increases

4 life functions and their order

1 - Maintenance 4-Growth, Defense, Reproduction

2 - Growth

3 - Defense

4 - Reproduction

Principle of Allocation

organisms must divide their resources amongst competing life functions

How does priniple of allocation affect rank of life functions

with limited resources, maintenance is satisfied 1st and remaining resources are divided equally

density dependent factors

any factor influencing population size and has a greater impact as population size increases

ex. stress, competition, disease, predation

carrying capactiy

maximum population size that the ecosystem can support

set by d - d factors

Biological K

the maximum number that the ecosystem can support

Cultural K

the maximum number that the human culture will tolerate