LEC 5

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and definitions related to aquatic systems, soil biodiversity, and the niche concept in ecology.

What do soils contribute to biodiversity?

• Moisture regulation

• Gas exchange and carbon sequestration

• Nutrient cycling

• Decomposition of organic matter

• Control of Plant Growth

What is limnology?

The study of inland aquatic systems, focuses on both biological and physical aspects

What are the two main classifications of aquatic biomes?

Saltwater and freshwater.

Pelagic Zone

Open water column in aquatic environments, away from the bottom

Benthic Zone (Ecological Region)

Refers to the ecological region at the very bottom of aquatic environments

What is the depth range of the epipelagic zone?

Surface to 200m depth

What is an algal bloom?

An algal bloom is a rapid increase in the population of algae in water bodies, often due to nutrient-rich conditions.

Lentic

The ecology of still waters, including lakes, ponds, and wetlands

Mesopelagic Zone

200m to 1000m depth

Bathypelagic Zone

1000m to 4000m depth

Abyssal Zone

4000m to 6000m depth

Hadal Zone

Greater than 6000m depth

Lotic

The ecology of running waters, such as rivers and streams

Wetted Channel

Horizontal zone in the river, contains water year-round

Active Channel

Horizontal zone in the river, usually flooded at least once each year

Riparian Zone

Horizontal zone in the river, transition area between land and aquatic ecosystems, home to diverse organisms

Water Column

Vertical zone in the river, the entire thickness of the water body

Benthic Zone

Vertical zone in the river, the bottom layer where sediments and detritus accumulate

Hyporheic Zone

Vertical zone in the river, region where surface water seepage meets groundwater

Phreatic Zone

Vertical zone in the river, groundwater that lies beneath the water table, often home to specific organisms (phreatobites)

Littoral Zone

Horizontal zone of a lake, shallow area near the edge; supports diverse plant and animal life

Limnetic Zone

Horizontal zone of a lake, open water area of lakes that supports plankton, fish, and various organisms

Epilimnion

Vertical zone of a lake, warm upper layer, rich in phytoplankton and fish

Metalimnion

Vertical zone of a lake, the thermocline layer experiencing rapid temperature decrease

Hypolimnion

Vertical zone of a lake: the cold, dark bottom layer, low in oxygen due to organic matter decomposition

Oligotrophic

A level of productivity of a lake: low nutrients, clear water, low primary production

Eutrophic

A level of productivity of a lake: High nutrients, often with algal blooms, rich in primary production

Dystrophic

A level of productivity of a lake: Acidic waters, typically rich in organic materials, leading to distinct ecological dynamics

Bogs

Characterized by acidic waters, supporting unique plant diversity such as mosses and carnivorous plants.

Fens

More alkaline, with variable pH and primarily supporting grasses, sedges, and some woody species.

Niche

The range of abiotic conditions and biotic interactions under which an organism can survive, grow, and reproduce.

Fundamental Niche

Describes the abiotic conditions a species can inhabit without the influence of interspecific interactions (i.e., other species).

Realized Niche

Refers to the specific environmental conditions where a species actually lives, constrained by interactions with other species (biotic factors).

Competitive Exclusion

States that no two species that rely on the exact same limiting factors can coexist indefinitely. One species will eventually outcompete and exclude the other from that niche.

Niche Partitioning

This concept involves species in a community using the same limiting resources in unique ways, thus occupying various realized niches and coexisting without direct competition. It allows for the differentiation of resource use among species and fosters biodiversity in ecosystems.