All Ecology Topics

RE-CHARGE

characteristics of life: Reproduction, Cells, Homeostasis, Respond to stimuli, Growth, Development

Levels of an Organism

cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism

Homeostasis

Balance in Ecosystem

Biotic

the living or once living organisms in the environment

Abiotic

the nonliving parts of the environment

Species

individuals with common characteristics; able to reproduce

Populations

all members of a species interacting in an area

Community

all the populations within a system

Ecosystem

Biological community and all its abiotic factors

Niche

role of an organism ex: pollination, decomposition

Biomes

ecological systems (such as GA, SC, NC, VA forests) consisting of similar organisms, climate, and soils

Competition

An interaction between organisms in which both require a resource that is in limited supply, and must fight for it

Competitive Exclusion Principle

No 2 species can occupy the same niche (role) in an ecosystems, so only 1 will survive

Resource Partitioning

A way to get around the competitive exclusion principle, it is evolved to use resources each in their own way to keep balance

Symbiosis

Interdependent relationship between 2 organisms

Parasitism

one organism benefits, the other is harmed (flea on dog)

Mutualism

both organisms benefit

Commensalism

one organism benefits, the other is not harmed (barnacles on whale)

Predator-Prey

one organisms hunts another as a food source

Food Chains

Food Webs

a group of interconnected food chains

Energy Pyramid

graph showing energy flow; most energy is at the producer level or trophic level 1.

Nitrogen Fixation

1st Step in Nitrogen Cycle, bacteria changing N2 gas to ammonia

Nitrification

Ammonium changes to nitrates, so plants can absorb them

Assmilation

Plants using roots to absorb nitrates to use for amino acids, nucleic acids & chlorophyll

Ammonification

Decomposers (fungi, bacteria) turning nitrogen back to ammonium for cycle to restart after animal/plant dies

Denitrification

Extra nitrates found in soil (NO3) turns back into N2 gas

No proteins

No life

Weathering of rocks is critical to this cycle

Phosphorus cycle

The only cycle with no gaseous phase

Phosphorus cycle

This is needed for proteins and nucleic acids

Nitrogen

Greenhouse gasses

CO₂ , O₃ , CH₄ , SO₂ , CFCs , H₂O (water) vapor

Group behavior can help with

increased survival, foraging, and nurturement of young

Altruistic Behavior

When organisms risk their life to protect others in the group

Pioneer Species

Animals that are the first to inhabit an area of land

Lichens, moss and fungi are all examples of

pioneer species

Pioneer species rebuild

soil

Shrubs and grasses are examples of

Mid successional plants

What is the usual ecological succession of organisms?

lichens 🡪 grasses 🡪 shrubs 🡪 trees

Ecological Succession

**Gradual change** in community structure resulting from new environmental conditions (disturbance)

What is an example of primary recession?

A glacier receding, soil erosion, lava flow, etc

What is an example of secondary recession?

A forest fire, flood, polluted streams, etc

Succession may result in

species moving away and their population increasing or declining

Which type of succession occurs faster?

Secondary succession, because soil is already present

Climax

The final stable state of succession

Populations with exponential growth

will grow at a **constant rate**

Environments with exponential growth have?

Unlimited resources

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population of organisms an ecosystem can support

Environments with exponential growth have?

Limited resources

Increasing the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus leads to

more algae growth

What results from eutrophication?

Bacteria decompose the dead algae using the oxygen in the water. The decrease in oxygen causes a decline in the biodiversity in the aquatic ecosystem.

What are some sources of nutrient pollutions?

Farms, city streets, pet waste, lawn fertilizer, faulty septic systems, and sewage treatment plan

What are some negative impacts of eutrophication?

Bad water odor, unsafe water conditions, decline in fishing, and it is expensive to clean up contaminated areas

As carbon dioxide concentrations increase,

temperatures increase

What are some impacts of global climate change?

Glacier recession, rising sea levels, increase in spread of disease

What are some affects of carbonic acid?

Marine organisms growing **smaller** in size

Disruption in the **aquatic food web** due to species dying off

Ocean water becoming more acidic

**Food shortenings** for humans increase along **coastal areas**

Density Dependent Limiting Factor

A limiting factor that **does** **depends** on the density (amount) of the population

What are some examples of Density Dependent Limiting Factors

Parasites, diseases, predation, and competition

Density Independent Limiting Factor

A limiting factor that **does not** depend on the density (amount) of the population

What are some examples of density independent limiting factors?

Natural disasters (tornado or hurricane), weather (thunderstorm)

Detritivore

A detritivore is an organism that feeds on dead organic matter, such as decaying plants and animals.

Logistic Growth

As resources become less available, the growth of a population

Biodiversity

The variety of organisms in an ecosystem, the number of different species living in a specific area

Biodiversity helps

stabilize the ecosystem

Keystone Species

A single species that is vital to ecosystem stability

What are some examples of keystone species?

Otters, American alligators, sharks, and more

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread rapidly across large areas, and disrupt ecosystems

Why are invasive species such a threat?

They outcompete native species, have a high reproductive rate, and have no predators

H.I.P.P.O

Habitat loss, Invasive Species, Pollution, (human) Population, Overharvesting

Non-Renewable Resources

Resources with a fixed amount (finite)

Examples of non-renewable resources

Gold, **soil**, sand, phosphate, fossil fuels, uranium

What are the pros of non-renewable resources?

They are easy access and cheap

What are the cons of non-renewable resources?

1. There is a limited supply
2. It releases **air pollutants**
3. Connected to **global warming** and **climate change**
4. **Degrades land** from extraction of resource

Renewable Resources

Resources that can replenish themselves over time

What are some examples of renewable resources?

Wind, sunlight, plants, water

What are the pros of renewable resources?

1. Infinite
2. Reliable
3. Low to no air pollution
4. Less reliance on foreign sources

What are the cons of renewable resources?

It is expensive (costly) and has geographic limitations (unless you are near a body of water, you cannot use hydroelectric energy, etc.)

Ocean Acidification

Oceans become more acidic and start harming marine organisms by dissolving their shells, slowing their digestion, making them smaller/weaker, etc.

Which organisms in the ocean are the first to be affected by ocean acidification?

Aquatic animals with shells, crabs for example

Global Warming

the increase of global surface temperatures

Climate Change

Long term effects of global warming

Pollution

Any chemical, gas, microorganism, or solid material (plastic) found in air and water that harms other organisms

Air Pollution - Acid Rain

Pollutants in the air (SO₂ and NOx) from burning fossil fuels and water vapor = acid rain,

nitrates + sulfuric dioxide = acid rain

Acid rain lowers

the pH of the soil and water, which causes a loss in biodiversity

Point Source

A single, identifiable discharge point/origin

Non-point Source

No single, identifiable discharge point/origin, is very costly to clean up, specifically aquatic environments

Examples of non-point sources are

Sediments from construction or agriculture

Run-off of oil and plastic

Troposphere

Lowest atmosphere level, where we live

Stratosphere

Contains ozone O₃ that filters out harmful UV from entering troposphere, must protect

Ozone Depletion

Thinning of ozone layer as result of the release of manmade chemicals called CFCs

Where is the ozone layer located?

Stratosphere

Eutrophication

When the concentration of nutrients in any body of

water keeps increasing

Eutrophication creates

dead zones

The excess nutrients contaminating a body of water cause

Nutrient Pollution

List some things people do daily that effect CO2 going into the air

Driving your car, using a lawn mower, using fertilizer, using a gas stove, etc

What is the primary cause of ozone depletion?

CFCs are the primary cause

Which layer has smog and other gunk?

Troposphere

Consequences of Global Climate Change

1. Rising sea levels

2. Loss of biodiversity

3. Unpredictable weather events (floods & storms)

4. Increase in diseases

5. Global food and water shortages

Animals get carbon inside of them by

eating plants

Carbon Cycle - Respiration

organisms **release CO₂** into atmosphere by breathing