ESS Topic 2 (SG26)

Biosphere

The global sum of all ecosystems.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.

Community

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

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Offspring

The product of reproduction, a new organism produced by one or more parents.

Classification

The process of grouping organisms based on shared characteristics.

Taxonomist

A scientist who classifies and names organisms.

Dichotomous keys

Tools that allow the user to determine the identity of items in the natural world.

Abiotic

Non-living chemical and physical factors in the environment.

Biotic

Living components of an ecosystem.

pH

A measure of how acidic or basic a solution is.

Salinity

The concentration of salt in water.

Dissolved oxygen

Oxygen that is present in water and is essential for aquatic life.

Niche

The role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem.

Herbivory

The act of eating plants.

Predation

The preying of one animal on others.

Parasitism

A relationship between two species where one benefits at the expense of the other.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

What is carrying capacity?

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

What are limiting factors in an ecosystem?

Environmental conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population.

What is a negative feedback mechanism in ecology?

A process that counteracts changes in a population, helping to maintain stability in an ecosystem.

What is the difference between random sampling and systematic sampling?

Random sampling involves selecting individuals by chance, while systematic sampling involves selecting individuals at regular intervals.

What is the Lincoln Index used for?

A method for estimating the size of a wildlife population using capture-mark-release-recapture techniques.

Define keystone species.

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

What is a tipping point in an ecosystem?

A critical threshold where a small change can lead to significant and often irreversible effects on the ecosystem.

What does the planetary boundaries model describe?

The planetary boundaries model outlines the environmental limits within which humanity can safely operate to avoid catastrophic environmental change.

What is the difference between climate and weather?

Climate refers to the long-term average of weather patterns in a region, while weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions.

What is the tricellular model of atmospheric circulation?

The tricellular model describes the three major circulation cells (Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar) that distribute heat and moisture around the Earth.

What are carbon sinks and sources?

Carbon sinks absorb more carbon dioxide than they release, while carbon sources release more carbon dioxide than they absorb.

What is carbon sequestration?

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change.

How does regenerative agriculture contribute to the carbon cycle?

Regenerative agriculture practices enhance soil health and increase carbon sequestration, thereby positively impacting the carbon cycle.

What is zonation in ecology?

Zonation refers to the spatial arrangement of different ecosystems or communities in a specific area, often influenced by environmental gradients.

What is ecological succession?

Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, leading to a more stable community.

What is a seral community (sere)?

A seral community, or sere, is an intermediate stage in ecological succession that leads to a climax community.

What are moraines?

Moraines are accumulations of dirt and rocks that have been pushed along by a glacier, often forming ridges.