APES UNT 1

organism

An individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of organs separate in function but mutually dependent; a living being.

species

A distinct type of organism; a population or group of populations of a particular type of organism whose members uniquely share certain characteristics and can breed freely with one another and produce fertile offspring.

population

The complete set group of individuals, whether that group comprises a nation or a group of people with a common characteristic.

community

In ecology, an assemblage of populations of interacting organisms that live in the same area at the same time.

ecological niches

The position of a species within an ecosystem, describing both the range of conditions necessary for persistence of the species, and its ecological role in the ecosystem.

competitive exclusion

An outcome of interspecific competition in which one species excludes another species from resource use entirely.

fundamental niche

A full niche of species.

realized niche

The portion of the fundamental niche that is fully realized (used) by a species.

resource partitioning

The process by which species adapt to competition by evolving to use slightly different resources, or to use shared resources in different ways, thus minimizing interference with one another.

morphological partitioning

A difference in structure of the body that allows an organism to get food that another can't.

spatial partitioning

Occurs if species differ in where they acquire resources and can happen both above- and belowground.

Temporal partitioning

Species differ in their competitive abilities based on varying environmental conditions.

What is allelopathy?

The effects (stimulatory and inhibitory) of a plant on the development of neighboring plants through the release of secondary compounds.

What is aestivation?

A protective mechanism in animals living in hot and dry climates.

Which organisms undergo aestivation?

Earthworms, mollusks, arthropods, reptiles, and amphibians.

What is character displacement?

Evolution of characteristics that reduce competition among species.

What causes character displacement?

Competition for limited resources.

What is amensalism?

An interaction where one species is destroyed or inhibited, while the other is unaffected.

What is commensalism?

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

What is competition?

When organisms compete for the same limited resources.

Can competition occur within the same species?

Yes, competition can occur within or between species.

What is predation?

When one species hunts, captures, and kills its prey.

What is parasitism?

When one organism depends on another for nourishment while harming it.

What is a pathogen?

A parasite that causes disease in its host.

What is coevolution?

When two or more species evolve in response to each other.

Give an example of coevolution.

Parasites and hosts, flowering plants and pollinators.

What is mutualism?

A species interaction where all organisms benefit.

What is symbiosis?

A close physical relationship between different species.

Can symbiosis be parasitic?

Yes, symbiosis can be parasitic or mutualistic.

Can symbiosis be mutualistic?

Yes, symbiosis can be mutualistic or parasitic.

What is the purpose of aestivation?

To protect from hot and dry climates and scarcity of resources.

Saprotrophic

Critical to decomposition and nutrient cycling

Law of Tolerance

Determines success of a species based on environmental factors

Limiting Factor

Constraints population growth

Pollination

Fertilization of flowering plants through transfer of pollen

Trophic Level

Rank in the feeding hierarchy of a food chain

Food Chain

Linear series of feeding relationships

Producers

Organisms that produce their own food using sunlight

Consumers

Organisms that consume other living organisms

Detritivore

Organism that scavenges waste or dead bodies

Decomposers

Organisms that break down nonliving matter into simple constituents

Biomass

Organic material that makes up living organisms

What is a food web?

A visual representation of feeding interactions within an ecological community

What is a keystone species?

An organism that helps hold the system together

What is a trophic cascade?

An ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or removal of top predators

What is a disturbance?

An event that affects environmental conditions rapidly and drastically

What is resistance in ecology?

The ability of an ecological community to remain stable in the presence of a disturbance

What is resilience in ecology?

The ability of an ecological community to change in response to disturbance but later return to its original state

What is primary succession?

A series of changes as an ecological community develops over time, beginning with a lifeless substrate

What is secondary succession?

A series of changes as an ecological community develops over time, beginning when some disturbance disrupts or alters an existing community

What are pioneer species?

Species that arrive earliest following an ecological disturbance

What are lichens?

Keystone species in many ecosystems, serving as a food source and habitat for animals, and protecting trees and rocks from extreme elements

Regime Shift (phase shift)

A fundamental shift in the overall character of an ecological community, generally occurring after some extreme disturbance, and after which the community may not return to its original state.

Novel communities (no-analog communities)

An ecological community composed of a novel mixture of organisms, with no current analog or historical precedent.

Introduced Species

A species introduced by human beings from one place to another (whether intentionally or by accident).

Invasive Species

A species that spreads widely and rapidly becomes dominant in a community, interfering with the community's normal functioning.

Restorative Ecology

The study of both the historical conditions of ecological communities as they existed before humans altered them and the restoration of those same ecological communities to such earlier conditions; applied in the practice of ecological restoration.

Ecological Restoration

The practice of attempting to reverse the effects of human disruption of ecological systems and to restore communities to their condition before the disruption; applies principles of restoration ecology.

Biome

A major regional complex of similar plant communities; a large ecological unit defined by its dominant plant type and vegetation structure.

Climate Diagram (climatographs)

A visual representation of a region's average monthly temperature and precipitation.

Rainshadow effect

The process by which arid regions are formed in the "\__________" of a mountain range. As moist air is blown over a mountain range, the air releases precipitation as it rises and cools; once the air has passed over the mountains, it is depleted of moisture, creating the arid \__________ region.

Closed Canopy

Virtually the entire land surface is covered by tree canopies.

Open Canopy

The crowns of scattered trees or groups of trees may cover only a few percent of the land surface.

Ecological Community

A group of interacting species that occur together in the same place and time.

Disturbance

An event that disrupts the structure or function of an ecological community.

Succession

The process of change in species composition over time in a disturbed area.

Primary Succession

The process of succession that occurs on bare, lifeless substrate, such as rocks or sand.

Secondary Succession

The process of succession that occurs in an area that has been disturbed but still retains soil.

Pioneer Species

The first species to colonize a barren area in primary succession.

Climax Community

A stable, mature community that undergoes little or no change in species over time.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Decomposition

The process of breaking down dead tissues into simpler organic forms

Ecosystem

An assemblage of organisms and nonliving entities in an area

Watershed

The land area that drains into a specific river

Hypoxia

Extremely low dissolved oxygen concentrations in water

Emergent Properties

Characteristics not evident in system's components

Feedback Loop

Circular process where output serves as input

Negative Feedback Loop

Output acts as input to move system in opposite direction

Dynamic Equilibrium

State where opposing processes balance out

Homeostasis

Tendency of a system to maintain stable internal conditions

Positive Feedback Loop

Output drives system further in the same direction

Runoff

Water from precipitation that flows into bodies of water

Airshed

Geographic area producing air pollutants that end up in waterways

Estuary

Area where river meets the ocean, mixing fresh and saltwater

Primary Production

Conversion of solar energy to chemical energy in sugars

What is Gross Primary Production?

Energy produced by autotrophs through photosynthesis

What is Net Primary Production?

Energy or biomass remaining after autotrophs' metabolism

What is Secondary Production?

Total biomass generated by heterotrophs consuming autotrophs

What is Productivity?

Rate at which plants convert solar energy to biomass

What is Net Primary Productivity?

Rate at which net primary production is produced

What are Macronutrients?

Elements required in large amounts by organisms

What are Micronutrients?

Elements required in small amounts by organisms

What are Ecotones?

Transitional zones where ecosystems meet

What is Landscape Ecology?

Study of how landscape structure affects organisms

What are Patches in landscape ecology?

Spatial areas within a landscape

What are Mosaics in landscape ecology?

Spatial configuration of patches across a landscape

What is Conservation Biology?

Scientific discipline studying factors influencing biodiversity loss and restoration.

What is a Metapopulation?

Network of subpopulations with some movement between patches.

What is GIS?

Computer software overlaying different data types on geographic coordinates.

What is a Model?

Simplified representation of a complex natural process.