The Real Ecology: Key Concepts, Scales, and NZ Biota

What is ecology?

The scientific study of the relationships between organisms and their biological, chemical, and physical environment.

What are the different scales of ecological study?

Individual (organismal ecology), Population (population ecology), Community (community ecology), Ecosystem (ecosystem ecology), Biome (landscape ecology), and Biosphere (global ecology).

What is the focus of organismal ecology?

The study of individual organisms and their interactions with the environment.

What does population ecology examine?

The dynamics of populations of a single species, such as hammerhead sharks on a coral reef.

What is community ecology?

The study of interactions among different species within a community, such as all species interacting in a coral reef.

What is ecosystem ecology?

The study of large-scale patterns and interactions within ecosystems, such as all coral reefs in a region.

What is biogeography?

The study of the geographic distribution of living things and the abiotic factors affecting their distribution.

What are abiotic factors?

Non-living components of the environment that affect organisms, such as temperature, humidity, and solar energy.

What is the range of tolerance?

The entire range of environmental conditions that allow for growth and survival of an organism.

What are limits of tolerance?

The high and low extremes of the range of tolerance for an organism.

What are zones of stress?

The conditions between the optimal range and the limits of tolerance where organisms may experience stress.

How does climate affect species distribution?

Climate has the strongest effect on where terrestrial organisms live, while light and nutrient availability affect aquatic organisms.

What is the significance of latitude in ecology?

Latitude affects climate, which in turn influences the distribution of biomes and species richness.

What is a rain shadow?

A phenomenon where the windward side of a mountain receives precipitation while the leeward side remains dry.

What are the main abiotic conditions relevant for aquatic systems?

Salinity, water movement, light availability, temperature, oxygen levels, pH, and depth.

What is a biome?

A way of categorizing landscapes or ecosystems based on dominant plants and climates or the properties of water.

What is the relationship between climate and biomes?

Climate largely determines the distribution of biomes, which can be illustrated with climographs showing temperature and precipitation.

What is species richness?

A count of the number of different species in a given area, which generally increases from higher latitudes to the equator.

What factors affect species distributions?

Abiotic factors, biotic interactions, biogeography, behavior, and dispersal.

What is applied ecology?

The application of ecological principles to solve practical problems, such as conserving species and maintaining ecosystem services.

What is pure ecology?

Theoretical understanding of ecological principles and the aesthetic value of nature.

How do mountains influence local climates?

Mountains can create rain shadows and affect temperature and vegetation types at different elevations.

What is the effect of dispersal on species distribution?

Dispersal affects where species are found by enabling them to colonize new areas and interact with other species.

What is the role of solar energy in ecology?

Solar energy influences temperature, climate patterns, and the distribution of organisms across different environments.

What is the primary focus of ecology?

The distribution and abundance of organisms.

What are the key abiotic factors influencing organism distribution on land?

Temperature and rainfall.

What does the term 'dispersal' refer to in ecology?

The movement of a few members of a species to a new geographical area.

What is an endemic species?

A species that is naturally found only in a specific geographic area.

What is a native species?

A species that breeds naturally in a given area but is also found elsewhere.

What are the two views of forces shaping New Zealand's biota?

Moa's Ark (vicariance) and 'fly-paper of the Pacific' (dispersal).

What major geological event occurred around 80 million years ago related to New Zealand?

New Zealand separated from other Gondwanan landmasses.

What happened during the Oligocene near-drowning of New Zealand?

Most of New Zealand was underwater due to high sea levels.

What is the significance of the Southern Alps in New Zealand's ecology?

They created unique biodiversity and affected temperature and rainfall patterns.

What is the impact of glaciation on New Zealand's flora?

NZ lost some species that survived in Australia due to cooler climates.

How many native vascular plant species are found in New Zealand?

Approximately 2200 native vascular plant species.

What is a unique feature of New Zealand's flora?

A large proportion of species are trees.

Why are there few deciduous trees in New Zealand?

Evergreen habitat is favored due to mild winters and low soil fertility.

What percentage of NZ tree species have flowers visited by bird pollinators?

30% of tree species.

What is the common trait of native flowers in New Zealand?

They are often simple, open, white or green.

What adaptations do many NZ plants have to avoid herbivory?

Many remain small or grow different types of leaves above 8-9 feet.

What is the 'Falcons for Grapes' project?

A project to reintroduce the NZ Falcon (Kārearea) to control bird damage in vineyards.

What are the three forms of the Kārearea and their conservation status?

Eastern form (nationally vulnerable), Bush form (nationally increasing), Southern form (nationally endangered).

What historical advantage did ground nesting provide for Kārearea?

It provided warmth and protection from aerial predators.

What is the significance of the Tasman Sea in New Zealand's geological history?

It started to open around 80 million years ago, separating NZ from Gondwana.

What is the role of tectonic activity in shaping New Zealand's landscape?

It created mountains, affected temperature, and led to unique biodiversity.

What is the relationship between New Zealand's isolation and its biota?

New Zealand's isolation has led to high levels of endemicity.

What is a key factor that limits dispersal in New Zealand?

The Southern Hemisphere being predominantly water, leading to an oceanic climate.

What is the significance of rapid speciation following the uplift of the Southern Alps?

It led to more pronounced phylogeographic patterns in NZ's biodiversity.

What is the estimated area of the Zealandia continent when NZ split away?

Approximately 4.9 million km².

What is the impact of the Pleistocene glaciation on New Zealand's species?

It caused the loss of some species that still survive in Australia.

What aggressive behavior do Kārearea exhibit towards intruders?

Kārearea dive-bomb intruders with their talons out.

What is island endemism and its potential outcomes?

Island endemism can lead to gigantism (e.g., Giant Weta) and dwarfism (e.g., tiny chameleon).

What are the characteristics of R-selected species?

R-selected species maximize growth rates, produce many small offspring, have small body sizes, reproduce early, develop rapidly, and have low competitive ability.

What is semelparity in R-selected species?

Semelparity is when species produce many offspring in a single reproductive event during their lifetime.

What are the key traits of K-selected species?

K-selected species maximize resource utilization, produce few larger offspring, have larger body sizes, reproduce later, develop slowly, and have high competitive ability.

What is iteroparity in K-selected species?

Iteroparity is when species produce fewer, larger offspring multiple times throughout their lifetime.

What significant event coincided with the extinction of dinosaurs?

The extinction of dinosaurs occurred around the time the Tasman Sea stopped widening, finalizing the ocean barrier to dispersal.

What impact did the introduction of kiore and dogs have on New Zealand's native species?

Kiore and dogs led to the rapid extinction of many native species, including nine species of Moa and flightless NZ Wrens.

What are some examples of subsequent pest introductions in New Zealand?

Pests include Argentine ants, deer, feral cats, ferrets, and rabbits, introduced for various reasons including food and companionship.

What is New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in relation to its landmass?

New Zealand's EEZ is 15 times larger than its landmass.

What percentage of New Zealand's indigenous biodiversity is estimated to be in the ocean?

Up to 80% of New Zealand's indigenous biodiversity could be in the ocean.

How many endemic bird species does New Zealand have?

New Zealand has 174 endemic bird species on land.

What are some examples of endemic marine fish in New Zealand?

Endemic marine fish include Rāwaru/Blue Cod, Draughtsboard shark, and NZ topknot triplefin.

What is the conservation status of Maui's dolphin?

Maui's dolphin is classified as nationally critical.

What unique adaptations do New Zealand frogs exhibit?

NZ frogs are nocturnal, with Archey's and Hamilton's frogs being terrestrial and Hochstetter's frog being semi-aquatic.

What is the significance of the bar-tailed godwit in terms of migration?

The bar-tailed godwit is known for the longest non-stop migration of any bird, flying 11,000 km to Alaska.

What is the reason for the evolution of flightlessness in New Zealand birds?

Flightlessness evolved due to lack of predators, resistance to predators, and living on water.

What are the characteristics of New Zealand's native bats?

NZ's bats are the only native terrestrial mammals, all endemic and microchiropterans with specialized echolocation abilities.

Why do many native New Zealand birds show little fear of mammals?

They evolved in isolation without mammalian predators, leading to a lack of fear towards introduced mammals.

What is the ecological significance of the Kakapo?

The Kakapo is the only nocturnal parrot in the world and is critically endangered.

What are the characteristics of New Zealand's unique lizard population?

NZ has over 43 species of geckos and over 64 species of skinks, but lacks many families of lizards found elsewhere.

What is the status of Hector's dolphin?

Hector's dolphin is classified as nationally vulnerable and globally endangered.

What is the significance of the term 'taonga species' in relation to kiore?

Kiore are considered 'taonga species' in some parts of Aotearoa, reflecting their cultural significance.

What adaptations do nocturnal species like the Kiwi exhibit?

Kiwis have evolved to be nocturnal to avoid diurnal predators.

What is the impact of human activity on New Zealand's passerine bird species?

Human activity has led to the extinction of 15 passerine species, with many introduced species now present.

How did New Zealand birds co-evolve with birds of prey?

They show anti-predator behavior towards native predators.

What is a disadvantage of smelly birds in New Zealand?

It makes them easier for introduced mammalian predators, which hunt by scent, to find them.

What is the competitive advantage of native New Zealand birds over exotic birds?

Native birds are better adapted to habitats where mammals are absent, allowing them to exclude exotics in restoration projects.

What is convergent evolution?

It is when similar traits evolve independently in different species due to similar selective pressures, often seen in island ecosystems.

Give an example of convergent evolution in New Zealand birds.

The rifleman has evolved traits similar to woodpeckers, despite not being closely related, due to filling a similar ecological niche.

What ecological role does the Kiwi fill in New Zealand?

The Kiwi acts as a nocturnal terrestrial insectivore, similar to the Badger in Europe.

What is unique about the Moa in terms of ecological roles?

The Moa was a large browser, similar to deer in other parts of the world.

What are some characteristics of New Zealand's native invertebrates?

They exhibit high endemism, are poorly studied, and include ancient Gondwana groups.

What is ethology?

The study of animal behavior.

What does behavioral ecology focus on?

It examines how behavior is controlled, developed, evolved, and contributes to survival and reproductive success.

What type of questions did Tinbergen ask about animal behavior?

They include proximate causes (how behavior works and develops) and ultimate explanations (why behavior evolved and its effects on populations).

How does natural selection influence behavior?

Natural selection favors behaviors that increase the inclusive fitness of individuals, leading to evolutionary changes.

What is an example of phenotypic selection in mamushi snakes?

Hunted populations flee earlier and are less likely to stay and bite, indicating genetic changes due to hunting pressures.

What types of stimuli can animals detect?

Light, sound, scent, tactile vibrations, electric fields, and magnetic fields.

How do signals and communication differ in animals?

A signal is a stimulus that causes a change in another animal's behavior, while communication is the reception and response to these signals.

How do male peacock spiders attract females?

They perform large displays of color on their backs.

What adaptation do homing pigeons use for navigation?

They navigate using magnetic fields.

How do owls locate prey in darkness?

They use sound and have specialized eyes that enhance their night vision.

What is unique about the Tui's singing?

The Tui sings many notes that are too high for humans to hear.

What is the significance of K-selected species in New Zealand?

New Zealand has some of the oldest geckos and species with long lifespans and low reproductive rates.

What is the ecological role of the Takahe?

The Takahe grazes on low vegetation, similar to rabbits in other ecosystems.

What is the significance of the absence of certain taxa in New Zealand?

New Zealand fauna is an unusual experiment with bird dominance and missing many groups, particularly mammals.

What does the term 'endemic' refer to in the context of New Zealand species?

Endemic species are those that are native to and found nowhere else in the world.

What are some characteristics of New Zealand's largest insects?

Giant weta, which can weigh more than a sparrow, are among the largest insects in the world.

How do the acoustic properties of signals vary with the environment?

Transmission of bladder grasshopper calls is poor in forests but better in savannahs, and vice versa for forest species.