Ecology and Biodiversity Review

Flashcards covering key concepts of ecology and biodiversity based on lecture notes.

Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas?

All are greenhouse gases.

What causes variation in the growth of a community of phytoplankton during their annual growth cycle?

Changes in temperature, nutrients, and dissolved oxygen.

What does the Sixth Extinction refer to?

Global environmental change that claimed 96% of marine animal species & 70% of terrestrial life.

What factor contributes to the latitudinal species gradient?

Greater solar energy and more stable temperatures near the equator.

What energy source do organisms near hydrothermal vents get their energy from?

Sulfur compounds.

What was the outcome of the introduction of the Cane Toad in Australia?

Accidentally introduced resulting in major ecosystem alterations.

How do biotic factors interact in an ecosystem?

They interact through processes like predation, competition, and mutualism.

What conclusion can be drawn from the lynx and hare pelt sales data?

Predator-prey interactions often lead to cyclical population fluctuations.

How are infected Succinea snails visually affected by Leucochloridium?

They have brightly colored, pulsating sacs protruding from their tentacles.

What is the best definition of the biosphere?

All parts of the Earth in which life exists.

An example of a feedback loop supporting the Gaia hypothesis is:

The process of photosynthesis producing oxygen that supports aerobic organisms.

What is a consequence of climate change on biodiversity?

Shifting of species ranges, moving towards poles or higher altitudes.

What does the image depict regarding spiders?

Webs built by different spider species.

What concept does the prey size range for three lizard species demonstrate?

Resource partitioning.

How does Cuscuta (dodder) obtain nutrients from its host plant?

By forming a connection with the host plant's vascular system.

Which biome is most affected by rising global temperatures?

Tundra.

What does the Keeling Curve represent?

The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere over time.

What does Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) refer to?

The total amount of energy captured by producers through photosynthesis.

What role do sea urchins play in kelp ecosystems?

They are herbivores that consume kelp, affecting the structure of kelp forests.

What was linked to higher grades in Biology 1010?

A cat parasite (T. gondii) affecting humans.

Where does biodiversity decrease towards?

Higher altitudes or latitudes.

What does the principle of island biogeography state about biodiversity?

Biodiversity increases with surface area.

What is the outcome of competitive exclusion?

Displacement of the less competitive species.

Why is exponential growth unsustainable?

Exponential growth assumes ideal conditions with no limits on reproduction or resources.

What distinguishes facultative mutualism from obligate mutualism?

Facultative mutualists can survive independently; obligate mutualists cannot.

How do human activities contribute to harmful algal blooms?

Using fertilizers and producing wastewater that release excess nutrients.

What factor contributed to the overgrazing problem on St. Matthew Island?

The reindeer population grew rapidly without natural predators.

How do the open ocean and tropical rain forests contribute to Earth's NPP?

Oceans cover a huge surface area; tropical rain forests have a high rate of production.

What is a primary way invasive species disrupt native ecosystems?

By outcompeting native species for resources.

What is habitat fragmentation?

The destruction and division of a continuous habitat into smaller isolated patches.

Why are keystone species important for biodiversity?

They help maintain the balance of other species and prevent any one species from dominating.

What effect does the zebra mussel have as an invasive species?

It restructures aquatic food webs.

What is the tardigrade an example of?

Extremophile.

What is a common consequence of dead zones in marine environments?

Mortality of marine organisms.

What is true about the prickly pear cactus in Australia?

It initially grew uncontrolled in Australia.

What did Svante Arrhenius study?

The role of carbon dioxide in trapping heat and contributing to global warming.

Why is the relationship between barnacles and whales considered commensalism?

Barnacles benefit from transportation; the whale is unaffected.

What organisms are typically the first to colonize in primary succession?

Pioneer species such as lichens and mosses.

What primarily causes salinization of freshwater ecosystems in northern climates?

Winter road maintenance.

What is eutrophication?

The enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, leading to excessive algal growth.

How does intermediate disturbance contribute to biodiversity?

By creating opportunities for a variety of species with different ecological strategies.

How do plots A and B differ in species diversity?

They have the same species richness but a different species diversity.

What are great grey owls’ and Star-nosed moles' prey detection methods?

Great grey owls use stereo hearing, while Star-nosed moles use nose feelers.

How does secondary succession differ from primary succession?

Secondary succession begins with soil present, while primary starts without soil.

What is true about intraspecific competition?

It is competition between two organisms of the same species.

Is the predator-prey relationship between fox and hare stable?

The fox and hare populations have cyclical changes that can be predicted.

What is true about mutualism types?

The main types of mutualism are defensive and facultative.

Does preventing the introduction of invasive species cost more than managing them?

True.

Is the Productivity Hypothesis correct regarding biodiversity near the equator?

True.

Does negative feedback amplify a system's output?

False.

Is it true that a parasite will kill its host?

False.

Can two species with identical niches coexist?

False.

In a bottom-up control system, do top predators regulate primary producers?

False.

Does overfishing affect only targeted species?

False.

Is NPP higher in continental margins than in open ocean areas?

True.