Ecology Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering key concepts in ecology as outlined in the lecture notes.

Ecology

The study of relationships between organisms and their environment.

Population Ecology

The study of populations of a species in their environment.

Community Ecology

The study of interactions between different organisms within a community.

Ecosystem Ecology

The study of how communities interact with their nonliving environment.

Exponential Growth Model

A model where growth occurs slowly initially and then rapidly increases, requiring unlimited resources.

Logistic Growth Model

A model where population growth is limited by environmental carrying capacity.

Density-dependent factors

Factors that limit population growth and intensify as population density increases.

Density-independent factors

Factors that limit population growth regardless of population density.

Interspecific Interactions

Interactions between different species classified by their effects on populations.

Mutualism (+/+)

An interaction where both species benefit, such as plants and pollinators.

Herbivory (+/-)

The consumption of plant parts by another organism, leading to plant defense mechanisms.

Parasites and Pathogens (+/-)

Organisms that live in or on a host, gaining nutrients and potentially causing disease.

Abiotic Factors

Nonliving components of the environment that affect ecosystems.

Biotic Factors

Living components of the environment that influence ecosystems.

Producers

Organisms that photosynthesize and store energy.

Consumers

Organisms that feed on producers or other consumers.

Decomposers

Organisms that breakdown organic materials for nutrient recycling in the environment.

Keystone Species

A species with a disproportionately large impact on its community, such as wolves or seastars.

Disturbances in Ecosystems

Episodes causing biological damage, which can alter the availability of resources.

Primary Succession

Ecological succession occurring in areas where no soil remains after a disturbance.

Secondary Succession

Ecological succession occurring where soil remains after a disturbance.

Fire Ecology

The study of how fire affects ecosystems and their recovery.

Crown Fire

A fire that spreads among the canopy of trees, killing them and affecting other vegetation.

Surface Fire

A fire that burns along the soil surface with minimal impact on larger plants.

Fire Adaptations

Traits that allow certain plants to survive and regenerate after fires.

Sagebrush Steppe

An ecosystem that experiences natural fires and has specific adaptations to recover.