ESS Final

What term is used for a collection of ecosystems that share similar climatic conditions?

Biome

A community of organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system is known as an _____.

Ecosystem

In ecology, what is the term for a group of different populations living and interacting in a common habitat?

Community

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time is called a _____.

Population

What defines a 'Species' regarding its ability to reproduce?

Members must be able to interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

The range of genetic material present in a population or species is known as _____.

Genetic Diversity

What is the primary ecological result of high genetic diversity within a population?

Increased diversity and uniqueness among individuals.

The specific environment in which a species normally lives is its _____.

Habitat

Term: Habitat Diversity

Definition: The range of different habitats within an ecosystem or biosphere.

What concept describes the specific set of abiotic and biotic factors and resources that an organism responds to for survival?

Ecological Niche

How do both species benefit in a 'Mutualism' interaction?

Both species interact and benefit from the association.

The relationship between pilot fish and sharks is an example of _____.

Mutualism

In which type of symbiotic relationship does one organism benefit at the expense of another's nutrients or shelter?

Parasitism

What is an example of a parasitic organism mentioned in the source material?

The leech

Which interaction involves one organism benefiting while the host remains neutral?

Commensalism

The relationship between barnacles and whales serves as an example of _____.

Commensalism

What is the biological interaction where one organism hunts, kills, and consumes another?

Predation

A contest between organisms for resources, recognition, or social status is defined as _____.

Competition

Term: Symbiosis

Definition: Two or more distinct organisms living together for the benefit of one or both.

Why is the early identification of species decline critical in population monitoring?

It helps identify the underlying cause of pressure on the species.

Population regulation is primarily influenced by population _____.

Density

Factors that limit a population's growth are known as _____.

Limiting factors

What are two examples of limiting factors for plant growth?

Nutrients and light

What are two examples of limiting factors for animal population growth?

Space and food

Limiting factors that become more influential as the population increases are called _____ factors.

Density dependent

Which type of limiting factor affects a population regardless of its density?

Density independent

Natural disasters are categorized as _____ limiting factors.

Density independent

What term describes the maximum number, density, or biomass of a species that a specific area can support sustainably?

Carrying Capacity ($K$)

In an S-curve population growth model, what happens after the initial rapid (exponential) growth phase?

Growth slows down as the carrying capacity ($K$) is reached.

Which population growth model is characterized by increasingly rapid growth that does not slow down as the population increases?

J-curve

What reproductive strategy is typical for organisms exhibiting J-curve growth?

Producing many offspring rapidly with little parental care.

A sudden, sharp decrease in a population following J-curve growth is called a _____.

Population crash

In Binomial Nomenclature, the first name of an organism refers to its _____.

Genus

In Binomial Nomenclature, the second name of an organism refers to its _____.

Species

How should the 'Genus' name be capitalized in Binomial Nomenclature?

The first letter of the Genus name must be capitalized.

How should the 'species' name be capitalized in Binomial Nomenclature?

The species name should be written entirely in lowercase.

What font formatting is required when writing an organism's scientific name?

It must be written in italics.

A series of questions or statements based on physical characteristics used to identify organisms is a _____.

Dichotomous key

Term: Keystone Species

Definition: A species with a disproportionately large effect on its community structure.

What ecological phenomenon occurs when the removal of a keystone species causes widespread changes in the community?

Trophic cascade

In a steady-state ecosystem, sustainability is achieved when _____ are balanced by outputs.

Inputs

What term refers to the point where human activity causes an ecosystem to collapse and develop a new equilibrium?

Tipping point

What sampling method is most appropriate for monitoring non-motile species?

Quadrat sampling (field sampling)

The Lincoln Index is used to estimate population size for _____ species.

Moving (motile)

Formula: Lincoln Index

Purpose: To calculate total population size ($N = \frac{n_1 \times n_2}{m}$).

In the Lincoln Index formula $N = \frac{n_1 \times n_2}{m}$, what does $n_1$ represent?

The number of individuals caught and marked on the first day.

In the Lincoln Index formula $N = \frac{n_1 \times n_2}{m}$, what does $m$ represent?

The number of marked individuals found in the second capture.

Non-living physical factors that influence an ecosystem are called _____ factors.

Abiotic

Living interactions between organisms, such as herbivory or predation, are called _____ factors.

Biotic

Term: Ecological Succession

Definition: The long-term change in the composition of a community over time.

Which type of succession occurs on a newly formed substratum where there is no pre-existing soil?

Primary Succession

Bare rocks from a volcanic eruption would undergo _____ succession.

Primary

What is the typical sequence of organisms in primary succession starting from bare rock?

Bare rock $\rightarrow$ Lichens $\rightarrow$ Small plants/lichens $\rightarrow$ Grasses/perennials $\rightarrow$ Intermediate species $\rightarrow$ Climax species.

Which type of succession occurs on bare soil where a community previously existed?

Secondary Succession

A forest recovering after a fire is an example of _____ succession.

Secondary

In succession, the first organisms to colonize a barren area are called _____.

Pioneer species

What are 'Seral Communities' in the context of ecological succession?

Intermediate communities that change environmental conditions to allow the next community to replace them.

The final, stable stage of ecological succession is known as the _____ community.

Climax

Term: Zonation

Definition: The change in a vegetation community along an environmental gradient.

Vertical zones in a landscape based on the height of trees are known as _____.

Stratification

What causes the zonation of tidal levels in coastal ecosystems?

The moon's gravitational pull causing regular changes in sea levels.

What is the difference between a 'Line Transect' and a 'Belt Transect'?

A line transect records observations only on a single line, while a belt transect records all organisms within a marked strip.

A _____ diagram is used to show the number of animals or percentage cover of plants against distance along a transect.

Kite

The ACFOR scale is a qualitative system used to estimate the _____ of a species.

Abundance

What does the 'R' stand for in the ACFOR scale?

Rare (rarely encountered within the study area)

Species Diversity is a product of two factors: richness and _____.

Evenness

In the context of species diversity, what does 'richness' measure?

The number of different species present in a community.

How is 'evenness' defined in species diversity?

How similar the population sizes of each species are within a community.

Formula: Simpson's Reciprocal Index

Definition: $D = \frac{N(N-1)}{\sum n(n-1)}$, where $N$ is total individuals and $n$ is individuals of a single species.

In Simpson's Reciprocal Index, what does a higher value of $D$ indicate?

Greater species richness and evenness (higher diversity).

Term: Natural Selection

Definition: The process where unequal survival and reproductive success occur based on the selective pressures of an area.

The generation of new species through the process of evolution is called _____.

Speciation

What is an example of a natural cause of species loss?

Natural hazards such as volcanoes, floods, or ice ages.

What are the four main human causes of species loss identified in the notes?

Habitat destruction, introduction of invasive species, pollution, and overharvesting/hunting.

How does the IUCN Red List categorize species with the highest risk of extinction?

Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), and Vulnerable (VU).

What is the main difference between an NGO and an IGO in terms of funding?

NGOs are not run by or funded by governments, whereas IGOs are run and funded by governments.

Greenpeace and the WWF are examples of which type of conservation organization?

NGOs (Non-governmental organizations)

The IPCC and UNEP are examples of which type of conservation organization?

IGOs (Intergovernmental organizations)

Conservation of species within their natural habitat is called _____ conservation.

In-situ

Conservation of species outside of their natural habitat (e.g., in zoos or botanical gardens) is called _____ conservation.

Ex-situ

Why is a circular shape preferred for protected areas?

It minimizes the 'edge effect'.

What is the purpose of a 'Corridor' in protected area design?

To provide a connection or linkage between protected areas to allow for genetic diversity and seasonal movement.

What is a 'Buffer Zone' in the context of conservation?

A monitored/undisturbed area surrounding a protected area.

The 'Tragedy of the Commons' describes the conflict between _____ and shared benefits in resource use.

Self-interest

What is an example of an 'Economic' argument for preserving species and habitats?

Valuation of ecotourism, genetic resources, or natural capital.

The intrinsic value of a species is a core component of _____ arguments for preservation.

Ethical and social

What is the primary objective of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?

To develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Term: Rewilding

Definition: The restoration of natural processes in an ecosystem, often by reintroducing apex predators or keystone species.

In the Maya Biosphere Reserve, what percentage is designated as the 'Buffer' zone?

40%

Which reserve in New Zealand is cited as an example of rewilding through the cessation of agriculture?

Hinewai Reserve

Banning of littering in city and environment (Singapore)

Description: The country introduced a series of laws and legislations that made littering illegal, with a punishable fine.

Impact: Significantly decreased the amount of plastic pollution, especially in the city.

Why is it that EVS?: Because government action such as laws and legislations was taken to reduce the amount of plastic pollution.

Ecocentric Jururejo village (Indonesia)

Description: Organic waste such as left over food, is converted to compost by the community, which is then given to the farmers.

Impact: Led to a 35 % decrease in landfill waste

Why is it that EVS?: Instead of just trying to decrease waste from the environment, soil health was also improved by converting the organic waste into compost, helping both the environment and the people living there.

Technocentric: Panta på (Sweden)

Description: At different locations in Sweden such as in a supermarket, there are machines that allow you to recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans for money.

Impact: It allowed many people to have access to recycling machines, whilst also giving people an incentive (money) to recycle.

Why is it that EVS?: Because it is a technological innovation.

Ecocentric: Vanilla farming Agroforestry

Location: Madagascar

Description: Trees and other plants were planted with the vanilla.

Impact: Significantly reduced soil erosion and helped to preserve soil health. Prevents loss of biodiversity.

Why is that EVS?: Because it involves preserving the environment, focusing on the ecosystem, holistically, instead of just how to improve yields.

Ecocentric: Crop rotation in the US (Tennessee)

Description: Farmers there rotated crops (planting different crops on the same plot of farmland over several years) and they used cover crops (there was no period of time where there was nothing growing over the soil).

Impact: Decreases nutrient depletion in the soil and reduces pests/diseases because it breaks their reproduction cycle and it immensely reduces soil erosion.

Why is it that EVS: It is ecocentric because crop rotation improves the soil health as a whole and not only the yield for the farmers.

Technocentric: green revolution

Location: Happened all across the world, but mainly in developed countries.

Description: Many new technological innovations such as the Haber process, machines, pesticides, herbicides and new crop varieties boosted yields. Reduced hunger. But it did cause environmental issues.

Impact: Smaller plots could generate the same amount of food that larger plots of land could do before the green revolution.

Why is it that EVS: Because it is a technological innovation.

Anthropocentric: Banning of Household detergents (Europe)

Description: The European Union banned household detergents with phosphate as they caused severe amounts of eutrophication in rivers and lakes.

Outcome: Decreased levels of phosphate levels and bodies of water saw a clear improvement in water quality.

Why is it that EVS?: Because the strategy involved laws to prevent and limit phosphates in household detergents through the EU.

Ecocentric: Riparian buffer strips = (Sweden)

Description: Agricultural runoff had caused dead zones in the baltic sea because of eutrophication. The government incentivized creating riparian buffer strips and using less inputs such as fertilizer to reduce runoff.

Outcome: Reduced nutrient runoff locally and improved biodiversity in wetlands, long term recovery.

Why is it that EVS?: Even though it involved government action, this strategy focused on improving the biodiversity and vegetation around the rivers to prevent agricultural runoff.

Technocentric: water treatment plants (DC)

Description: There was a lot of eutrophication in bodies of water such as lakes, mainly because of sewage waste (non point and point source.) Advanced sewer plants were installed and waste water was diverted from the lakes.

Outcome: Decrease in nutrient levels, but an increase in fish and many aquatic species recovered.

Anthro + Eco: Marine protected area (MPA)

Location: Marea Moana, Cook Islands

Description: It is a protected area of diverse ecosystems with many different aquatic species. It aims to prevent illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Outcome: Many species thrive there and it is a safe place for species to reproduce.

Why is it that EVS?: Because government laws prevent people fro