Ecology & Environmental Science Lecture Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic ecological concepts, biogeochemical cycles, biological interactions, habitats, ecological equipment, and environmental change based on the lecture transcript.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with their abiotic (non-living) environment.

Habitat

The "address" or specific location where an organism lives.

Niche

The "profession" or role of an organism, including its trophic level and biological interactions.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

The rule that no two species can occupy the exact same niche indefinitely, as one will eventually outcompete the other.

Biomass

The total mass of organisms in a given area, which decreases at higher trophic levels due to inefficient energy transfer (approx. $10\%$ efficiency).

Nitrogen Fixation

The process performed by bacteria like Rhizobium that converts $N_2$ gas into Ammonia.

Nitrification

The biological process that converts Ammonia into Nitrites and then into Nitrates, which are usable by plants.

Denitrification

The process where bacteria convert Nitrates back into $N_2$ gas.

Ammonification

The role of decomposers (bacteria and fungi) in breaking down proteins and urea from dead organisms into ammonium ions ($NH_4^+$).

Mutualism

A biological interaction where both species benefit ($+/+$).

Parasitism

An interaction where one species (parasite) benefits and the other (host) is harmed ($+/-$).

Ectoparasites

Parasites that live on the outside of their host, such as Ticks and Fleas.

Endoparasites

Parasites that live inside the gut of their host, such as Tapeworms.

Commensalism

An interaction where one species benefits and the other remains unaffected ($+/0$).

Ammensalism

An interaction where one species is harmed while the other is unaffected ($-/0$), often involving chemical inhibition.

Allelopathy

A form of ammensalism where organisms, such as Black Walnut trees, secrete chemicals like juglone to inhibit the growth of nearby plants.

Synergism / Protocooperation

A non-obligatory association where both species benefit ($+/+$) but can survive separately.

Lentic

A type of freshwater habitat characterized by still water, such as ponds and lakes.

Lotic

A type of freshwater habitat characterized by flowing water, such as rivers and streams.

Pelagic Zone

The open ocean habitat.

Benthic Zone

The habitat located on the ocean floor.

Intertidal Zone

The shoreline habitat between high and low tide, characterized by harsh conditions.

Estuarine

Brackish water habitats where a river meets the sea, often serving as nurseries for fish.

Quadrat

A square frame (e.g., $1\,m^2$) used to define a sample area for counting species density or percentage cover.

Transect Line

A tape measure laid across a habitat to study changes in species distribution across an environmental gradient (zonation).

Sweep Net

Equipment swept through vegetation to dislodge and catch flying insects, beetles, and bugs.

Pooter

A suction device with two tubes used to safely collect small insects like ants and aphids into a jar.

Secchi Disk

A black and white disk used to measure water turbidity (clarity) in water quality studies.

Capture-Mark-Recapture (Lincoln Index) Formula

The formula used to estimate total population: $N = \frac{n_1 \times n_2}{m_2}$, where $n_1$ is the first catch, $n_2$ is the second catch, and $m_2$ is the number of recaptured marks.

Predator-Prey Co-evolution

An evolutionary "arms race" where species evolve traits in response to each other, such as gazelles and cheetahs both becoming faster.

Coral Bleaching

A phenomenon where rising ocean temperatures cause coral polyps to expel their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae).

Ocean Acidification

The dropping of ocean pH caused by the absorption of excess atmospheric $CO_2$ forming carbonic acid.