Week 11: Ecosystem Ecology

These flashcards cover key concepts and facts related to ecosystem ecology, specifically focusing on the American Tallgrass Prairie and its biotic and abiotic interactions.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.

American Tallgrass Prairie

A temperate grassland characterized by tall grasses, seasonal climates, and rich biodiversity.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment relative to its abundance.

Bison as Keystone Species

Bison are considered a keystone species in the prairie ecosystem because they help to maintain the structure of the grassland through grazing, creating habitat for other species.

Landscape Engineers

Organisms that significantly modify the environment, such as bison which create wallows and openings in the prairie.

Bottleneck Effect

A sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events or human activities, leading to a decrease in genetic diversity.

American Prairie Reserve

An organization focused on restoring and preserving the American prairie ecosystem.

Goal of the American Prairie Reserve

To reconnect and restore a large portion of the prairie ecosystem for biodiversity conservation.

Controversy of American Prairie Reserve

The project faces controversy due to land use conflicts, such as grazing rights and differing views on conservation.

Nutrient Cycles

Natural processes that recycle nutrients in various chemical forms from the environment to organisms and back.

Uneven Distribution of Temperature

Caused by factors such as latitude, altitude, and ocean currents, influencing climate zones on Earth.

Climate's Role in Biomes

Climate, including average temperature and precipitation, determines the types of vegetation and animal life that can thrive in a biome.

Eight Major Terrestrial Biomes

Tropical Rainforest, Savanna, Desert, Temperate Forest, Taiga, Tundra, Grassland, and Chaparral, each defined by unique temperature and precipitation patterns.

Geographic Distant Biomes

The same type of biome can occur in geographically distant areas due to similar climatic conditions, leading to analogous ecosystems.