Biol114- Module 6

What structural planetary feature is responsible for generating global seasonality variations?

The 23.5° Earth tilt

What global system of deep-water currents is driven by water density variations caused by temperature and salinity?

Oceanic thermohaline circulation

How do the chemical environments of oligotrophic and eutrophic lakes differ?

Oligotrophic lakes are nutrient-poor and oxygen-rich; eutrophic lakes are nutrient-rich and low-oxygen.

What are Craig Reynolds' three "boids" rules for simulating collective flocking behavior?

Separation (steer away), Cohesion (move toward average position), and Alignment (match neighbor velocity).

What three defining traits characterize a true eusocial animal society?

A division of labour (caste system), cooperation in tending young, and an overlap of generations.

In Hamilton's Rule (R x B > C) explaining eusocial sterility, what does the variable 'B' represent?

The fitness benefit to the recipient.

What is the term for environmental self-organization where a group coordinates indirectly through stereotyped behaviors and chemical markers?

Stigmergy

What unique hydrodynamic feature characterizes a shark's placoid scales?

They make the skin smooth in one direction and rough in the other to reduce drag.

Which dual sensory organs do sharks use to detect water vibrations and external bioelectrical fields?

The lateral line detects mechanical vibrations; Ampullae of Lorenzini detect bioelectrical fields.

What equation is used in the Mark-Recapture method to estimate total population size?

N = (sn / x)

How do the exponential and logistic population growth models differ?

Exponential assumes unlimited growth; logistic incorporates carrying capacity (K) as resources become limiting.

What is the difference between density-dependent and density-independent population regulation?

Dependent factors (disease, competition) vary with density; independent factors (weather, natural disasters) do not.

How do a species' fundamental niche and realised niche compare?

A fundamental niche is the total potential space a species can occupy; a realised niche is the actual space occupied due to competition.

What is character displacement in community ecology?

The evolutionary tendency for characteristics to diverge more drastically in sympatric populations of competing species than in allopatric ones.

How does a dominant species differ from a keystone species?

A dominant species has the highest total biomass; a keystone species exerts massive community control relative to a very low biomass.

What type of species influences biological communities specifically by physically changing the structural environment?

Ecosystem engineers

Why are food chains within an ecological food web inherently short?

Trophic efficiency limits energy transfer, as only about 10% of energy moves successfully to the next level.

Which two specific inorganic forms of nitrogen are highly mobile and easily absorbed by plants?

Ammonium (NH4+) and Nitrate (NO3-).

What New Zealand biometric score indicates heavily polluted river water when it drops below 80?

MCI (Macroinvertebrate Community Index)

What three distinct levels of biological diversity does conservation biology document and protect?

Genetic variation within a species, species richness within an ecosystem, and regional habitat variety.

Why do little spotted kiwi in New Zealand currently exhibit the lowest genetic diversity of all kiwi species?

Their entire modern population was recovered from a severe bottleneck of just three breeding birds.

Why is the New Zealand indigenous fully parasitic plant Dactylanthus taylorii in serious decline?

Invasive rats eat its underground flowers, and its native short-tailed bat pollinators have declined.

What unique evolutionary antipredator response makes native New Zealand birds exceptionally vulnerable to invasive mammals?

They evolved in isolation to freeze completely when threatened and nest on the ground.

What are three primary intervention strategies used by conservationists to address habitat loss?

Reconnecting fragmented habitats (corridors), establishing protected areas, and performing urban restoration.

What does a pest management strategy of "sustained control" imply?

Using ongoing physical or chemical means to continuously keep pest numbers at a low impact level when eradication is impossible.