Islands, Energy, & Ecosystems

Flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and definitions related to islands, energy, and ecosystems.

Adaptive Radiation

Rapid evolution of phenotypic diversity from a single ancestor that diverges into multiple species exploiting different ecological niches.

Silversword Alliance

A group of different forms evolved from a single ancestral plant species in Hawaii.

Genetic Drift

Sampling error in a finite population size affecting genotype frequencies.

Nonrandom Mating

Mate choice and factors like inbreeding that affect mating patterns.

Fitness Differences

Variability in survival or reproductive success among different genotypes.

Gene Flow

The change in allele frequencies due to the movement of individuals between populations.

Equilibrium Theory

A theory describing the rates of colonization and extinction of species on islands.

Eutrophication

A process caused by an increase in nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to excessive phytoplankton growth and negative ecological impacts.

Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP)

The total biomass accumulated in an ecosystem, calculated as GPP minus total respiration.

Nutrient Cycling

The movement and transformation of nutrients between organic and inorganic reservoirs in ecosystems.

Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest

An ecological research site used to study nutrient cycling and the effects of disturbance on water and mineral content.

Primary Producers

Organisms, typically autotrophs, that produce energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Detritivores

Organisms that play a critical role in decomposing dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.

N-P-K

Abbreviation for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, essential nutrients for plant growth.

Algal Bloom

Rapid increase in phytoplankton populations often caused by nutrient enrichment, leading to reduced oxygen levels in water.

Mutualistic Associations

Interactions between different species that benefit both, often used by plants to acquire nutrients.

Trophic Levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising producers, consumers, and decomposers.