Ecology and Behavioral Ecology Review

These flashcards cover key concepts related to ecology and behavioral ecology, including definitions, processes, and studies that are essential for understanding these biological principles.

Observational Study

Measuring things as they are without manipulation.

Experimental/Manipulative Study

Changing one or more variables and measuring outcomes.

Modeling Study

Using collected data to fit models and extract additional information.

Hadley Cell

A circulation of air close to the equator that does not cover the entire planet.

Tilt of Earth

Causes seasonal changes affecting ecological conditions.

Rain Shadow Effect

Phenomenon where moist air rises over mountains, cools, and rains on the windward side.

Biomes

Major types of habitat characterized by distinctive plant and animal life influenced mainly by temperature and precipitation.

Proximate Causes

How a behavior occurs, involving sensory inputs or physiological processes.

Ultimate Causes

Why a behavior occurs, often connected to the behavior's contribution to fitness.

Kinesis

Movement in response to a stimulus without a specific direction.

Taxis

Movement directed toward or away from a stimulus.

Communication in Animals

Use of signals or displays to modify the behavior of other individuals.

Altruism

A behavior that benefits another individual at a cost to the actor.

Kin Selection

A form of natural selection where behaviors benefit relatives, enhancing their reproductive success.

Reciprocity in Altruism

Performing altruistic acts for others who have helped in the past, without needing relatedness.

Demography

The study of birth rates, death rates, age distributions, and population sizes.

Population Density

The number of organisms in a given area or volume.

Dispersion Patterns

Patterns of spacing among individuals, including clumped, uniform, and random.

Semelparity

A reproductive strategy characterized by a single reproductive event.

Iteroparity

A reproductive strategy involving repeated reproduction at intervals throughout the organism's life.

Life Table

A table summarizing the probability of survival and reproduction over an individual's lifetime.

Net Reproductive Rate (R0)

An indicator of population growth; R0 > 1 indicates growth, R0 = 1 indicates stability, R0 < 1 indicates decline.

Life History Strategies

Adaptation strategies that organisms utilize concerning reproduction and growth, categorized as r-selected or K-selected.