CBG 1: Introduction to Ecology: Scales and Hierarchy Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the foundational concepts of ecology, biological hierarchy, and the importance of scale as discussed in the 'Introduction to Ecology' lecture.

Ecology

The branch of biology that deals with the relationship between organisms and their surrounding biotic and abiotic environment.

Biotic environment

The living components of an environment that interact with and influence organisms.

Abiotic environment

The nonliving components of the environment, such as $pH$ and temperature.

Charles Darwin's "tangled bank"

A description from "On the Origin of Species" summarizing the complex interdependencies between various plants, birds, insects, and worms, illustrating both Ecology and Evolution.

Population (Ecological context)

A group comprised of individuals of a single species that occupy the same general area, rely on the same resources, interact with one another, and are influenced by similar environmental factors.

Population (Genetic context)

A group of individuals living in close enough proximity to have both the potential to interbreed with conspecifics and a reasonable likelihood of that occurring.

Community

The populations of different species that populate the same area.

Ecosystem

A community together with the nonliving environment.

Biosphere

The Earth and all of its communities together.

Organism

The level of biological organization where organ systems work together in a functional unit.

Organ system

A group of tissues and organs that make up systems like the skeletal system.

Organ

A structure formed by tissues, such as a bone.

Tissue

Formed by associated cells, such as bone tissue, to create organs.

Cell

The cellular level of organization where cytoplasm, organelles, nucleus, and mitochondria are found.

Organelle

A specialized subunit within a cell, such as the nucleus or mitochondria, that performs specific functions.

Macromolecule

Large molecules such as proteins and DNA that belong to the chemical level of organization.

Distribution and Abundance

The two primary factors over space and time that the field of ecology attempts to understand.

Scale dependence

The phenomenon where ecological processes or patterns must be modulated based on the specific temporal or spatial scale being studied.

Temporal scale

The time-based dimension through which organisms perceive and experience their environment.

Spatial scale

The geographic or area-based dimension of ecological study, often modulated in research using models, satellite data, or manipulative studies.

Jonathan the giant tortoise

An example of a long temporal scale, being greater than $193$ years old (born before $1832$).

Dragonfly temporal scale

Organisms that typically live $2$-$4$ weeks and do not experience broad seasonal cycles.

Predictive models

A research tool used to explore scales and make ecological predictions across the hierarchical organization of ecosystems.

Chemical level

The most basic level of biological organization where atoms join to form molecules and macromolecules.

Mitochondria

A cell organelle that is the site of many energy transformations.

Internal factors (Ecological cell)

Determinants such as behavior and physiology used to understand animal populations, analogous to internal cell mechanisms.

Population dynamics

The study of changes in population size over time, often illustrated by the fluctuations of Lynx and hare populations between $1845$ and $1925$.

Lynx canadensis and Lepus americanus

Scientific names for the Lynx and Hare respectively, used to demonstrate predator-prey dynamics in Northern Canada.

Pattern

Observations, data, or biological knowledge representing a specific level in the ecological hierarchy.

Process

The underlying factors, usually found one level below in the hierarchy, that explain a specific ecological pattern.

Community ecology

The study of patterns of biodiversity, community stability, and inter-specific interactions like competition and mutualisms.

Population ecology

The study of population growth rates, stability, dynamics of age distribution, and patterns of survival.

Biogeography

A facet of community ecology focused on the distribution of species across geographic space.

Inter-specific interactions

Interactions between different species, including competition, predation, and mutualisms.

Carrying capacity

A core concept in population ecology related to density dependence and the limits of population growth.