Ecology and Environmental Science Flashcards

Flashcards covering ecology, populations, ecosystems, and environmental changes.

ecology

The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their physical environment (non living factors)

species

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

population

Is a group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area.

community

An assemblage of different populations that live together in a defined area.

ecosystem

All the organisms that live in a place, together with their physical environment.

biome

A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms.

autotrophs

Use solar or chemical energy to produce “food” by assembling inorganic compounds into complex organic molecules.

primary producers

The first producers of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms.

photosynthesis

Process that uses energy from the sun to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen.

heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain food by consuming other organisms.

consumer

Organism that relies on other organisms for energy and food supply.

scavengers

Animals that consume the carcasses of other animals that have been killed by predators or have died of other causes.

Detritivore

Feed on detritus particles, often chewing or grinding them into even smaller pieces. Commonly digest decomposers that live on, and in, detritus particles.

decomposers

Feed by chemically breaking down organic matter. The decay caused by these organisms is part of the process that produces detritus—small pieces of dead and decaying plant and animal remains.

food chain.

Series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.

food web

Network of complex interactions formed by the feeding relationships among the various organisms in an ecosystem.

ecological pyramid

Show the relative amount of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a food chain or food web.

pyramid of energy

Shows the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level of a food chain or food web; 10% energy transfer.

pyramid of biomass

Shows the relative amount of living organic matter available at each trophic level.

pyramid of numbers

Shows the relative number of individual organisms at each trophic level.

The __ is the area inhabited by a population.

The area inhabited by a population

A population increases when and decreases when _.

When new individuals are born; a population decreases when individuals die.

When growth rate = 0, the __.

The population size is unchanged

__ is when a population decreases in size if individuals move away from it.

A population decreases in size if individuals move away from it

__ is when a population may increase in size if individuals arrive from elsewhere.

A population may increase in size if individuals arrive from elsewhere

Under ideal conditions with unlimited resources, a population will grow __.

Under ideal conditions with unlimited resources, a population will grow exponentially.

__ is when a population’s growth slows and then stops, following a period of exponential growth.

When a population’s growth slows and then stops, following a period of exponential growth.

__ is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that a particular environment can support.

The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that a particular environment can support; population stabilizes.

__ determine the carrying capacity of an environment for a species.

Determine the carrying capacity of an environment for a species.

__ limiting factors operate strongly when population density reaches a certain level.

Operate strongly when population density reaches a certain level; include competition, parasitism and disease, stress from overcrowding, predation, and herbivory.

__ limiting factors affect all populations regardless of population size and density.

Affect all populations regardless of population size and density; include natural disasters and usual weather.

__ is a series of more-or-less predictable events that occur in a community over time.

A series of more-or-less predictable events that occur in a community over time.

__ begins in areas that have no remnants of an older community.

Succession that begins in areas that have no remnants of an older community.

__ are the first species to colonize barren areas.

The first species to colonize barren areas.

__ occurs when a disturbance affects an existing community but doesn't completely destroy it.

Succession that occurs when a disturbance affects an existing community but doesn't completely destroy it.

__ is the total area of healthy land and water ecosystems needed to provide the resources you use.

The total area of healthy land and water ecosystems needed to provide the resources you use.

__ are human-altered biomes that are globally significant ecological patterns created by long-term interactions between humans and ecosystems.

Human-altered biomes. Globally significant ecological patterns created by long-term interactions between humans and ecosystems.

__ are measurable long-term changes in averages of temperature, clouds, winds, precipitation, and the frequency of extreme weather events.

Measurable long-term changes in averages of temperature, clouds, winds, precipitation, and the frequency of extreme weather events

__ is an increase in average global temperatures.

Increase in average global temperatures.

__ is when natural habitats are completely changed, species that once lived in that area can be lost to human development.

When natural habitats are completely changed, species that once lived in that area can be lost to human development.

__ causes biodiversity loss and makes ecosystems more vulnerable to other disturbances.

Causes biodiversity loss and makes ecosystems more vulnerable to other disturbances.

__ recreates conditions that resemble an ecosystem that previously existed.

Ecological restoration recreates conditions that resemble an ecosystem that previously existed.

__ is a situation in which there is an increase in concentration of a pollutant as the number of organisms at a trophic level decreases.

A situation in which there is an increase in concentration of a pollutant as the number of organisms at a trophic level decreases.

__ is using resources in ways that preserve ecosystem services and recognizes the links between ecology and economics.

Using resources in ways that preserve ecosystem services; recognizes the links between ecology and economics.

A __ is a resource that can be produced by a healthy ecosystem.

A resource that can be produced by a healthy ecosystem.

A __ is a resource that cannot be replenished or replaced by a natural process.

A resource that cannot be replenished or replaced by a natural process.

__ is the ability to deal with change.

The ability to deal with change.