Introduction to Ecology Lecture 10

This set of flashcards summarizes key concepts from the lecture on ecology, focusing on levels of ecological study, biomes, and various interactions within ecosystems.

What are the five main levels of ecological study?

Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere.

What does organismal ecology study?

How do individuals interact with each other and their physical environment?

How do salmon exemplify ecosystem ecology?

Salmon die and decompose, releasing nutrients that are used by other organisms.

What questions does community ecology address?

How do species interact, and what are the consequences

What defines global ecology?

How is the biosphere affected by global changes in nutrient cycling and climate

What is the impact of global climate change on salmon?

Worldwide populations of salmon are affected by changes in water flow and temperature.

What abiotic factors affect açaí palms' survival?

Sunlight, Temperature, Precipitation, Flood frequency, Salinity of floodwater.

What biotic factors interact with açaí palms?

Toucans disperse seeds, palms compete for sunlight, fungal parasites can kill them.

Which past abiotic factors influenced the distribution of açaí palms?

Continental drift, rising of Andes mountain range, sea-level changes.

What is a niche model?

It shows the range of conditions tolerated by a species.

Why are the tropics warm and the poles cold?

Solar radiation per unit area declines with increasing latitude.

How do atmospheric currents work?

Cool, dry air sinks, warms up, and picks up moisture while rising causes rainfall.

What are the three main circulation cells?

Hadley cell, Mid-latitude cell (Ferrel cell), Polar cell.

What is the relationship between seasonal changes and Earth's tilt?

If Earth were not tilted on its axis, there would be no seasons.

What effect do mountains have on rainfall?

Air rises over mountains and cools, resulting in rain, creating a rain shadow on the leeward side.

What distinguishes deserts and dry shrublands?

Located at 30 degrees latitude, characterized by extreme temperatures and low moisture.

Describe the productivity of tropical wet forests.

High aboveground biomass, species diversity, and productivity due to favorable year-round conditions.

How do lakes and ponds form?

Most natural lakes and ponds are formed in depressions created by glaciers.

What are wetlands?

Shallow-water habitats where soil is saturated for part of the year, including marshes and swamps.

How do streams differ near their origin and endpoint?

Upstream, they are colder, narrower, and fast-flowing; downstream, they are warmer, wider, and slower.

What are estuaries?

Where rivers meet the ocean, mixing fresh and salt water; highly productive and diverse.

What defines the structure of oceans?

Biologists name zones according to depth and sunlight penetration, e.g., photic and aphotic zones.

What role do tides play in estuaries?

Tides influence water flow, salinity, and turbidity, which affect nutrient levels.

What are the characteristics of the Arctic tundra biome?

Low productivity, low species diversity, and permafrost soil.

Describe the boreal forest biome.

Also called taiga; low productivity and low species diversity due to climate conditions.

What are the defining features of temperate grasslands?

Dominated by grasses; highly fertile soils and lower productivity than forests.

Describe the desert biome.

Extreme temperatures and low moisture lead to extremely low productivity.

What is the main vegetation in a tropical wet forest?

Broadleaf evergreen trees adapted to high moisture and diversity.

How do abiotic factors influence biomes?

They determine the climate and conditions affecting flora and fauna distributions.

How does temperature influence species distribution?

Temperature affects photosynthesis and survival rates of plants and animals.

What impacts do hurricanes have on coastal ecosystems?

They can cause significant changes to habitat structure and species composition.

What is a key characteristic of lakes and ponds?

They are classified by zones according to water depth and sunlight availability.

Explain what is meant by a rain shadow effect.

Dry conditions on the leeward side of mountains due to rising air cooling and losing moisture.

How do phytoplankton contribute to aquatic ecosystems?

They are primary producers that create organic compounds through photosynthesis.

What adaptations do organisms have in wetland biomes?

Plants adapted to saturated soil, such as those with modified roots for oxygen uptake.

How does salinity fluctuate in estuarine environments?

It fluctuates due to tidal movements and interactions with freshwater rivers.

What are the consequences of rising sea levels for aquatic biomes?

They can submerge coastal habitats and alter the salinity and biodiversity of estuaries.

Describe the general trend of temperature from the equator to the poles.

Temperature generally decreases as latitude increases.

What role do decomposers play in ecosystems?

They break down organic material, recycling nutrients back into the environment.

How do invasive species impact native ecosystems?

They can outcompete, prey on, or introduce diseases to native species.

What is a biome?

A large ecological area characterized by specific climate conditions, flora, and fauna.

Explain the importance of biomes for biodiversity.

They provide distinct habitats that support a wide variety of organisms and ecological processes.

What processes drive the water cycle?

Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration.

How does climate change affect biodiversity?

It alters habitats, leading to shifts in species distributions and increased extinction rates.

What adaptations do desert plants have for water conservation?

Leaves modified as spines, thick waxy coatings, or reduced leaf surface area.

Explain the significance of coral reefs in marine ecosystems.

They provide habitat and are biodiversity hotspots with numerous species relying on them.

What factors determine the distribution of terrestrial biomes?

Temperature, rainfall, soil type, and adaptations of local flora and fauna.