Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity

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Questions and Answers

Which does a functioning aquarium not display?

A habitat

A niche (correct)

A community

An ecosystem

A group of organisms of different species living together in a particular place is called a:

Biome

Population

Habitat

Community (correct)

Physical location is to habitat as function is to:

Trophic level

Biodiversity

Food zone

Niche (correct)

Which of the following could not reasonably measure biodiversity?

Population Signup and view all the answers

Succession occurs:

As a previously existing community is replaced. Signup and view all the answers

Animals that feed on plants are at least in the:

Second trophic level Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a decomposer?

Worm Signup and view all the answers

What factor does not limit the size of a population?

Random spacing Signup and view all the answers

K-strategists are characterized by which of the following traits?

Few, large young Signup and view all the answers

The most common pattern of dispersion in populations is:

Clumped Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of saprophytes in an ecosystem?

They break down dead organic matter into useful forms for the soil. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes intraspecific competition?

Competition between members of the same species for food. Signup and view all the answers

In the food chain, what happens to the energy as it moves from producers to tertiary consumers?

90% of energy is lost at each trophic level. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes organisms that are active at night?

Nocturnal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes autotrophs?

Producers that create energy through photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

What is biological magnification?

The accumulation of toxins at greater concentrations in organisms at higher trophic levels. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of mutualism?

A tick bird feeding on parasites from a rhinoceros. Signup and view all the answers

In a food web, how does it differ from a food chain?

It shows how organisms can be part of multiple food chains. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about heterotrophs?

They are consumers and cannot synthesize their own food. Signup and view all the answers

What type of interaction is predation?

One organism benefits while the other is harmed. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Aquarium Characteristics

A functioning aquarium exhibits a community, a habitat, and an ecosystem, but not a niche. A niche describes an organism's specific role within a habitat.

Community Definition

A community is a group of different species living together in a specific area.

Habitat Analogy

Habitat relates to physical location, like a niche relates to function.

Biodiversity Measurement

Biodiversity cannot be reasonably measured for a single population. Ecosystems, habitats, and communities are appropriate contexts.

Succession Definition

Succession is the replacement of one community by another. It occurs as a consequence of existing community change, not as an immediate response to a new food web or a glacial retreat.

Trophic Levels for Herbivores

Herbivores, animals that feed on plants, are at least in the second trophic level.

Decomposers

Examples of decomposers include worms and fungi/bacteria.

Population Properties

Size: Population size is the total number of individuals in a population, limited by birth rate, death rate, immigration, and emigration.
Density: Population density is the number of individuals per unit area or volume, often estimated through sampling techniques.
Dispersion: Three patterns of dispersion exist:
- Clumped: The most common pattern, where individuals cluster for safety or resources.
- Uniform: Individuals are evenly spaced, often due to competition or secretion of toxins.
- Random: Spacing occurs without any special attraction or repulsion.

Population Growth Models

Exponential growth represents theoretical, continuous growth without limits.
Limited (logistic) growth reflects actual growth, affected by limiting factors.

Life History Strategies

r-strategists: Opportunistic organisms with rapid reproduction, many small offspring, rapid maturation, and single reproductive episodes (e.g., insects).
K-strategists: Organisms with slow reproduction, few large offspring, slow maturation, and multiple reproductive episodes (e.g., mammals).

Trophic Interactions

Scavengers: Feed on dead bodies (e.g., falcons, fungi).
Saprophytes/Decomposers: Break down dead organisms into useful forms for the soil (e.g., fungi, bacteria).
Intraspecific competition: Competition between members of the same species.
Interspecific competition: Competition between members of different species.

Animal Activity Cycles

Diurnal animals: Active during the day (e.g., birds).
Nocturnal animals: Active at night (e.g., owls, cockroaches).

Planktonic Organisms

Phytoplankton: Autotrophs (producers) like diatoms.
Zooplankton: Heterotrophs (consumers) like copepods.

Trophic Levels

Autotrophs: Producers that make their own food through photosynthesis (e.g., plants, algae, phytoplankton).
Heterotrophs: Consumers unable to produce their own food (e.g., fungi, animals, decomposers, zooplankton).

Biological Magnification

Higher trophic levels accumulate higher concentrations of toxins. Carcinogenic and teratogenic toxins accumulate in fatty tissues.

Food Relationships

Predation: One organism kills another (e.g., snake and frog).
Commensalism: One benefits, the other is unaffected (e.g., remora fish and shark).
Mutualism: Both benefit (e.g., tick bird and rhinoceros, lichen).
Parasitism: One benefits, the other is harmed (e.g., tapeworm and human).
Symbiosis: Includes all food relationships. Co-evolution results from species interactions.

Food Webs

Food webs are more complex and accurate than food chains because they include multiple food chains and interactions between various organisms.
Notice that an organism can feed on, or be eaten by, multiple species in a food web.

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Description

This quiz explores the characteristics of aquariums as ecosystems, focusing on communities, habitats, and the role of biodiversity. It also covers concepts like succession and the importance of decomposers and trophic levels. Test your understanding of these vital ecological principles!