Ecology

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99 Terms

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Classification

Classification is the process of organizing species based on their similarities and differences. /

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Hierarchical Classification System

The hierarchical classification system groups species in a hierarchy, where higher ranks have more organisms with less similarity, and lower ranks contain fewer organisms with more similarity. /

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Genus

A genus is a category in the classification hierarchy that includes species that are closely related and share common characteristics. /

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Binomial Nomenclature

Binomial nomenclature is a system of naming species using two parts: the genus name (capitalized) and the species name (not capitalized), written in italics or underlined. /

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Homo sapiens

Homo sapiens is the species name for humans, with Homo being the genus and sapiens being the species. /

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Canis Genus

The genus Canis includes several species of canids, such as Canis lupus (Grey wolf), Canis familiaris (Domestic dog), and Canis latrans (Coyote). /

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Taxonomic Tools

Taxonomists use tools like reference collections, DNA surveys, and dichotomous keys to identify organisms. /

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Identification by Reference Collections

Taxonomists compare unknown specimens with reference collections of known species to identify them. /

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DNA Surveys

DNA surveys involve analyzing an organism's DNA and comparing it with known sequences in large computer databases for precise identification. /

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Dichotomous Keys

Dichotomous keys are tools that help identify organisms by providing a series of paired statements or questions with two possible answers. /

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Serengeti Dichotomous Key

An example of a dichotomous key for identifying species in the Serengeti ecosystem. /

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Limitations of Dichotomous Keys

Dichotomous keys may have limited scope, inaccuracies, and variability in organisms' characteristics, making them time

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Expertise for Dichotomous Keys

Dichotomous keys require some level of expertise and familiarity with the organisms to be used effectively./

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Biotic & Abiotic Factors

Factors that determine the distribution of a population can be abiotic or biotic / Biotic

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steady state

when the inputs and outputs are balanced in an ecosystem, allowing for stability in population sizes and resource availability.

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Examples of Biotic Factors: Availability of food

More food increases survival and reproduction, e.g., rainforests have rich food supplies; deserts have fewer species due to poor food supply / New predators

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Positive Feedback

- A process in which a change in a system amplifies further change, potentially destabilizing the system (e.g., deforestation reducing precipitation, leading to more forest loss)

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Worked Example: Red & Grey Squirrels

Grey squirrels introduced into a habitat led to a decrease in red squirrels due to competition for resources /

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Negative Feedback

- A process that counteracts change, helping to maintain system stability (e.g., predator-prey relationships balancing population sizes)

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Abiotic Factors

Non living factors in an ecosystem that influence living organisms, such as temperature, sunlight, water, and soil.

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Tipping Point

A critical threshold where small changes cause a system to shift to a new, often irreversible equilibrium (e.g., Amazon deforestation leading to savanna-like conditions).

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Abiotic Factor Effects: Temperature

Affects photosynthesis and metabolism / Sunlight

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Ecological Niches

A niche describes the biotic and abiotic conditions and resources an organism depends on / Niche Concept

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Population Interactions

Populations interact in ecosystems through herbivory, predation, parasitism, mutualism, disease, and competition / Herbivory

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Parasitism

Parasites benefit from hosts but harm them, lowering host carrying capacity, e.g., fleas on mammals or the malaria parasite / Mutualism

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Carrying Capacity

The maximum stable population size of a species that an ecosystem can support, determined by competition for limited resources. /

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Population Growth Limitation

Abiotic and biotic factors prevent all individuals from reproducing, ensuring population sizes remain limited at carrying capacity. /

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Human Population Exception

Humans have overcome many factors that limit population growth, allowing their population to dominate others. /

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Carrying Capacity Plateau

When population growth flattens on a graph, the carrying capacity is reached due to limiting environmental factors. /

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Density

dependent Factors

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Competition for Resources

Higher population density leads to intense competition for food, water, and shelter, limiting population growth. /

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Risk of Predation

Increased population density raises the likelihood of predator encounters, regulating population size. /

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Pathogen Transmission

Dense populations facilitate disease spread, increasing mortality rates and controlling population size. /

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Negative Feedback Mechanisms

Processes driven by density

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J

Curve Growth

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Lag Phase (J

Curve)

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Exponential Growth Phase (J

Curve)

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Crash Phase (J

Curve)

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S

Curve Growth

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Lag Phase (S

Curve)

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Exponential Growth Phase (S

Curve)

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Transitional Phase (S

Curve)

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Plateau Phase (S

Curve)

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Population

Entire set of items or individuals of interest. /

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Sample

Subset of the population used for data collection. /

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Random Sample

Every item in the population has an equal chance of being selected. /

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Biased Sample

Sample not randomly selected, leading to skewed results. /

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Census

Data collected from every member of the population. /

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Advantages of Population

Accurate results as all members are included; all options/responses accounted for. /

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Disadvantages of Population

Time

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Advantages of Sample

Quicker and cheaper; less data to handle. /

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Disadvantages of Sample

Can lead to unreliable results if small or biased; may not be representative. /

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Random Sampling

Sampling points chosen randomly, often using random number generators; avoids researcher bias. /

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Systematic Sampling

Sampling points chosen in a regular pattern, prone to researcher bias if not done carefully. /

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Transect Sampling

Systematic sampling along a line to study species distribution relative to environmental changes. /

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Line Transect

Record species touching a line at regular intervals. /

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Belt Transect

Place quadrats along a line at regular intervals to estimate abundance. /

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Quadrat

Square frame used for sampling non

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Percentage Cover

Estimated area of a quadrat covered by a species. /

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Percentage Frequency

(Number of quadrat squares with species ÷ Total squares) × 100. /

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Capture

Mark

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Lincoln Index Formula

Population size = (M × N) ÷ R. /

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M

Number marked in the first sample. /

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N

Total individuals in the second sample. /

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R

Marked individuals recaptured in the second sample. /

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Limitations of Capture

Mark

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Ecosystem Functioning & Sustainability

Sustainability is a fundamental property of ecosystems. /

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Sustainability

Refers to the ecosystem's ability to maintain balance and productivity over time. /

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Self

Regulation

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Balanced Inputs and Outputs

In a steady

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Inputs

Energy, nutrients, and water entering the ecosystem. /

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Outputs

Energy, nutrients, and waste leaving the ecosystem. /

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Ecosystem Flow Diagrams

Demonstrate the movement of energy and nutrients within ecosystems. /

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Interconnectedness

Flow diagrams highlight the interconnectedness of biotic and abiotic factors. /

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Tropical Rainforest Nutrient Flow

An ecosystem flow diagram showing a simplified form of the nutrient cycle in a tropical rainforest. /

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Evidence of Sustainability

Some ecosystems have persisted for millions of years, indicating their resilience. /

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Example of Sustainability

Tropical rainforests like the Amazon Rainforest show long

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Human Impacts

Human activity can disrupt the stability of ecosystems, leading to tipping points. /

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Tipping Points

Critical thresholds where small changes trigger significant ecosystem shifts. /

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Deforestation

Clearing of trees for agriculture, logging, or urban development. /

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Impact on Climate

Deforestation reduces water vapour generation, disrupting local and regional climate. /

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Feedback Loop

Reduced precipitation leads to further forest loss, creating a positive feedback loop. /

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New Equilibrium

Continued deforestation may lead to reduced biodiversity and altered climate patterns. /

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Keystone Species

Organisms with a disproportionately large impact on ecosystem structure and function. /

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Role of Keystone Species

Regulate population sizes and maintain biodiversity. /

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Impact of Removal

Removing keystone species can cause cascading effects and disrupt ecosystems. /

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Example: Purple Sea Stars

Control mussel populations, preventing ecosystem domination. /

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Example: African Elephants

Shape savannah grasslands and promote habitat diversity. /

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Human Impacts on Biosphere Integrity

Human activity has significantly impacted biodiversity and ecosystem health. /

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Planetary Boundaries Model

Identifies nine key Earth system processes essential for a stable planet. /

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Biosphere Integrity

Refers to the overall health and diversity of life on Earth. /

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Evidence of Damage

Accelerated extinction rates indicate severe disturbances to ecosystems. /

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Conservation Strategies

Aim to preserve ecosystem structure, function, and diversity. /

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Habitat Conservation

Protecting natural habitats maintains ecosystem integrity. /

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Species Conservation

Protecting endangered species is essential for biodiversity. /

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Sustainable Resource Management

Promotes responsible resource use without ecosystem degradation. /