Interactions Between Natural Ecosystems

These flashcards cover the dynamic changes within ecosystems, specifically focusing on temporal and spatial variations, organism adaptations like torpor, and the effects of altitude and latitude on organism distribution.

What is the general nature of ecosystems regarding change?

Ecosystems undergo dynamic change and are constantly changing.

What factors contribute to the short-term or long-term changes in organism populations?

Different times of year, latitudinal zones, and altitudinal zones.

How is a temporal change defined in an ecological context?

A change in a variable over time, such as temperature changing significantly between night and day.

How is a spatial change defined in an ecological context?

A change in a variable over a distance, such as the decrease in vegetation in QLD moving West.

Contrast the environmental exposure of land organisms versus water organisms.

Land organisms are exposed to large temperature and moisture changes, while water organisms only experience small temperature changes.

By what mechanisms do some organisms respond to environmental change to stay cool and prevent water loss?

By going into torpor or aestivation, which slows down their metabolism.

What is the nature of boundaries between ecosystems?

They are rarely precise; species often overlap, and buffer zones occur where species from both ecosystems interact.

What is the difference between altitude and latitude?

Altitude is the height above sea level, while latitude is the location relative to the equator.

How do variations in altitude and latitude affect the environment and its organisms?

They affect temperature, wind, rainfall, and humidity, which in turn affects the distribution of organisms.

What are some ways organisms provide for or remove from their environment to cause change?

They provide food, habitat, and shade; they remove water and nutrients; they add organic matter through waste and absorb light.

How do organisms alter the atmospheric composition of their environment?

They alter carbon dioxide and oxygen levels.