Das Wattenmeer – Ökologie, Interaktionen und Anpassungen

These flashcards cover various key concepts related to the ecology, interactions, and adaptations in the Wattenmeer ecosystem.

What is the definition of the Wattenmeer?

The Wattenmeer is an extensive, shallow coastal area along the North Sea characterized by tidal changes, salt and brackish water zones, and a rich food supply.

What are the extreme environmental conditions found in the Wattenmeer?

Strong fluctuations in temperature, salinity, and oxygen levels.

What is an ecological niche?

The ecological niche describes the totality of all abiotic (e.g., temperature, salinity) and biotic (e.g., competition, predation) environmental factors under which a species can live and reproduce.

What distinguishes a fundamental niche from a realized niche?

Fundamental niche includes all potential environmental conditions without competition, while realized niche is restricted to actual living conditions with biotic interactions.

What does physiological potency refer to?

It describes the biochemical and physiological abilities of an organism to withstand various environmental conditions, like temperature tolerance and salinity.

What does ecological potency include?

It includes the interactions with other organisms and describes under which conditions an organism can survive in nature.

What is interspecific competition?

Competition between different species for limited resources, such as food and habitat.

What is intraspecific competition?

Competition between individuals of the same species.

What does a tolerance curve represent?

It graphically shows the range (amplitude) of environmental factors within which an organism can survive.

Name three abiotic factors in the Wattenmeer.

Temperature, salinity, and oxygen levels.

What is a biozönose?

The community of all organisms living in a particular habitat that interact with one another.

Define stenök species.

Species with very narrow ecological requirements; they tolerate only a limited range of environmental conditions.

Define eyrök species.

Species with broad ecological tolerance; they can survive under varying environmental conditions.

What are osmoregulators?

Organisms that actively regulate their internal osmotic pressure to maintain stable cell conditions.

What are osmoconformers?

Organisms whose osmotic pressure matches that of their surroundings without active regulation.

What is the basic principle of predator-prey relationships?

Interactions where predators hunt prey, leading to mutual adaptations and population regulation.

What are the three basic rules of the Lotka-Volterra models?

1. Exponential growth of prey in absence of predators. 2. Predator growth depends on prey density. 3. Oscillations in population densities of predators and prey.

What are indicator species?

Species whose presence or absence indicates environmental quality and ecological changes.

What are ectothermic animals?

Animals whose body temperature largely depends on the environment, such as reptiles, fish, and invertebrates.

What is the significance of understanding indicator species in conservation?

They help to recognize environmental changes early and initiate protection measures.