Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a constraint on natural selection and adaptation?

  • Adaptive landscape
  • Time
  • Environmental experience (correct)
  • Gene flow

    • What is the role of 'genetic differentiation' in adaptation?

  • It ensures all individuals within a population have the same genetic fitness.
  • It prevents gene flow between populations, leading to rapid adaptation.
  • It creates entirely new species within a single generation.
  • It allows for variation in gene frequencies between populations based on environmental pressures. (correct)

    • What is the primary difference between 'genetic differentiation' and 'genetic clines'?

  • Genetic clines are caused by gene flow, while genetic differentiation is not.
  • Genetic differentiation occurs over shorter time scales, while genetic clines occur over longer time scales.
  • Genetic differentiation results in new species, while genetic clines do not.
  • Genetic differentiation requires a physical barrier, while genetic clines do not. (correct)

    • Which of the following is an example of an adaptation that helps an organism survive a rapid fluctuation in environmental conditions?

    <p>A frog's skin quickly changing color to blend in with its surroundings (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an example of a diurnal (daily) environmental cycle?

    <p>The change in atmospheric pressure during a storm (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of organism would be most likely to have evolved in a hypotonic environment?

    <p>Freshwater fish (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main mechanism by which osmoconformers maintain osmotic balance?

    <p>Adjusting the concentration of organic solutes in their tissues (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a common adaptation found in osmoregulators of marine environments?

    <p>Ion pumps (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following organisms is an example of an osmoconformer?

    <p>Sea urchin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between osmoregulators and osmoconformers?

    <p>Osmoregulators maintain a constant internal salt concentration, while osmoconformers match their environment. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an adaptation that helps terrestrial animals survive in a hypertonic environment?

    <p>Conserving water by producing concentrated urine (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason for the high salt concentration in the blood of marine invertebrates?

    <p>Adaptation to survive in hypertonic seawater (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a primary function of contractile vacuoles in freshwater organisms?

    <p>Elimination of excess water from the cell (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do many marine vertebrate species, like sharks, have a high concentration of urea in their blood?

    <p>To maintain osmotic balance with the surrounding seawater. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an adaptation that allows marine angiosperms (saltwater plants) to survive in a salty environment?

    <p>Excreting excess salt through their leaves (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main process that is used to actively pump ions across cell membranes?

    <p>Active transport (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason why the ocean's temperature is more stable compared to land temperatures?

    <p>The high heat capacity of water allows it to absorb and release heat more slowly. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main factor that drives the formation of the Ekman spiral?

    <p>The interaction between wind and the surface layer of the ocean. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true about the Coriolis effect?

    <p>It causes currents to be deflected to the left in the Southern hemisphere and to the right in the Northern hemisphere. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a factor that contributes to the formation of a thermocline?

    <p>High surface temperature and high salinity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Sofar channel contribute to the transmission of sound underwater?

    <p>It allows sound to travel long distances due to specific conditions of temperature and pressure. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism responsible for nutrient upwelling in a cold core eddy?

    <p>The rotation of the eddy brings cold nutrient-rich water from deeper depths toward the surface. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a mechanism of nutrient distribution in the ocean?

    <p>Convection (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason why shallow benthic banks have higher nutrient levels compared to the open ocean?

    <p>Nutrients in shallow banks are less likely to sink to the bottom due to the shallower depth. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can internal waves impact the marine environment?

    <p>They can cause upwelling by breaking and bringing nutrients to the surface. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the Pacific Ocean generally considered to be the most nutrient-dense ocean?

    <p>The Pacific Ocean has a higher rate of upwelling events, bringing nutrients from deeper depths to the surface. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the North Atlantic Oscillation play in the ocean's ecosystem?

    <p>It influences the strength and direction of ocean currents, impacting nutrient transport and seasonal patterns. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes the relationship between warm-core eddies and hurricane formation?

    <p>Warm-core eddies provide a source of warm water that strengthens hurricanes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major difference in the way nutrients cycle in the open ocean compared to shallow benthic banks?

    <p>Nutrients in the open ocean are more likely to be lost to the deep ocean floor, while shallow banks experience frequent nutrient replenishment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    On which side of a mountain range would you typically expect to find a desert?

    <p>The leeward side, due to the dry air descending and heating up. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of the Ekman spiral, what is the approximate direction of the net water movement compared to the surface winds?

    <p>90 degrees clockwise (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors is NOT a primary driver of the global ocean circulation?

    <p>The influence of the moon's gravity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In terms of antiherbivore devices, what distinguishes terrestrial plants from marine plants?

    <p>Terrestrial plants have evolved complex antiherbivore devices due to larger herbivores that can access and consume them. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these characteristics is NOT considered a component of fitness?

    <p>Habitat selection (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a similarity between the life cycles of ferns and parasites?

    <p>They both involve a haploid sexual stage. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary factor responsible for the rapid turnover rate of algae populations in the ocean?

    <p>The limitation by nutrient availability and diffusion, especially in deeper waters. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most important limiting factor for land plants in terms of their survival and growth?

    <p>Abundance of water (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between the fundamental niche and the realized niche of a species?

    <p>The fundamental niche defines the ideal habitat, while the realized niche represents where the species actually resides. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following explains the most significant reason why marine plants generally lack complex antiherbivore devices?

    <p>The small size of marine plants makes it impractical for them to develop effective defenses against herbivores. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for the larger biomass of terrestrial plants compared to marine plants?

    <p>Terrestrial plants benefit from the proximity of light and nutrients. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is time considered a crucial factor in the concept of a niche hyperspace?

    <p>It reflects the temporal variation in environmental conditions that influence habitat suitability. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of r-selected species?

    <p>High parental care for offspring (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are swamps and marshes considered the most productive ecosystems on land?

    <p>They have a permanent water supply, providing a crucial resource for plant growth. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason why algal beds and reefs are considered highly productive ecosystems in the ocean?

    <p>They have a high density of algae and corals, which can efficiently photosynthesize in shallow, light-rich waters. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a physiological adaptation?

    <p>Formation of an exoskeleton for structural support (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is the most likely reason for the shorter time period for atmospheric changes compared to ocean changes?

    <p>The ocean has a much larger volume than the atmosphere. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most common method of reproduction in unicellular organisms?

    <p>Binary fission (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a colonial reproduction strategy?

    <p>A coral polyp reproducing by dividing to form new polyps. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Habitat Diversity

    Variation in different habitats, affecting species distribution and ecosystem health.

    Positive Feedback Loop

    A cycle where an initial change causes further changes in the same direction.

    Heat Capacity of Water

    Water's ability to absorb and hold heat, with a heat capacity of 1.

    Coriolis Effect

    The bending of currents due to Earth's rotation, affecting wind and ocean patterns.

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    Hadley Cells

    Large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns that influence climate and weather.

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    Ekman Spiral

    Movement of water layers in the ocean caused by wind, resulting in a spiral effect.

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    Ocean Gyres

    Circular systems of ocean currents influenced by the Coriolis Effect and wind.

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    Thermohaline Circulation

    Global ocean circulation driven by temperature and salinity differences.

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    Pycnocline

    The layer in ocean water where there is a rapid change in density with depth.

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    Nutrient Distribution

    Variation in nutrient levels in water caused by physical processes.

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    Cold Core Eddy

    A circular current that traps cold water in its center, often bringing nutrients up.

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    Warm Core Eddy

    A circular current that traps warm water in its center, often nutrient-poor.

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    Nutrient Dome

    An area of high nutrients forming in the ocean, often due to currents.

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    Internal Waves

    Waves that occur between layers of water with different densities, affecting nutrient mixing.

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    Climate Change Effects

    Long-term ocean temperature trends increase due to climate change, but short-term variability complicates evidence.

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    Antiherbivore Devices (Land)

    Plants on land develop toxins to deter herbivores, allowing them to survive and reproduce.

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    Nutrient Diffusion Limitations

    In the ocean, plants face nutrient limitations due to a lack of attachment and light separation.

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    Swamps and Marshes

    These ecosystems are most productive due to permanent water availability.

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    Ecological Niche

    An ecological niche describes the living conditions suitable for an organism based on its characteristics.

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    Fundamental vs. Realized Niche

    The fundamental niche is theoretical; the realized niche is where a species actually lives.

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    Fitness in Biology

    Fitness refers to an organism's ability to pass on genes through survival and reproduction.

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    R/K Selection Theory

    Species strategies vary from r-selected (quick reproduction) to K-selected (care for few).

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    Life Cycle Stages

    Organisms can have complex life cycles involving multiple stages and environments.

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    Physiological Shifts

    Organisms experience changes to adapt to extreme environmental conditions.

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    Colonial Reproduction

    Organisms reproduce as colonies, like corals dividing and cloning.

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    Metamorphosis

    A biological process where organisms undergo significant physical transformation during life stages.

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    Limiting Factors for Land Plants

    Water is the primary limiting factor for plant growth on land.

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    Algal Beds and Reefs

    These ecosystems are highly productive because of high light availability and shallow waters.

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    Adaptation Types

    Responses to environmental factors can be molecular, biochemical, physiological, morphological, or behavioral.

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    Octopus color change

    An adaptation for camouflage or signaling in response to threats.

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    Inking adaptation

    A defense mechanism where octopuses release ink to distract predators.

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    Genetic variation

    Differences in DNA among individuals that can lead to adaptations.

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    Genetic differentiation

    The process where populations adapt to different environments due to isolation.

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    Gene flow

    Movement of genes between populations through migration.

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    Adaptive landscape

    A 3D representation of fitness associated with different gene combinations.

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    Coevolution

    When species evolve together in response to each other’s adaptations.

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    Osmosis

    The movement of water across a membrane to balance solute concentrations.

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    Osmoconformer

    Organisms that match their internal salt concentration to their environment.

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    Osmoregulator

    Organisms that maintain a constant internal salt concentration regardless of the environment.

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    Hyperspace in ecology

    The concept of diverse environmental experiences influencing evolution.

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    Niche hyperspace

    The range of environmental conditions that influences species adaptations.

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    Abiotic factors

    Non-living factors affecting ecosystems, like water, temperature, and nutrients.

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    Tides' effect on species

    Tidal patterns create unique challenges and opportunities for intertidal organisms.

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    Long-term climate change

    Gradual environmental shifts impacting species survival and biodiversity.

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    Study Notes

    Habitat Diversity

    • Sunlight intensity varies geographically, highest at the equator.
    • Positive feedback loop exists between ice, water, and temperature: ice reflects less sunlight, melting and warming.
    • Snow is highly reflective, while melted water is less so.
    • Water has high heat capacity; oceans have stable temperatures, unlike land.
    • Earth's net heat gain is at the equator and loss at the poles; wind and currents distribute energy.
    • Asian monsoons are driven by Himalayan and Tibetan Plateau formation: summer heat causes air to rise, bringing winds, and winter cold causes air to move toward the ocean.
    • Currents reverse seasonally.
    • Atmospheric circulation (Hadley cells).
    • Higher moisture levels correlate with taller trees.

    Coriolis Effect and Wind

    • Earth's rotation causes wind currents to curve (right in the Northern Hemisphere, left in the Southern).
    • Trade winds are a result.
    • Major wind patterns are explained by combining the Coriolis effect and Hadley cells.
    • Three atmospheric circulation patterns: high evaporation/low rainfall (deserts), high rainfall/low evaporation (rainforests), or seasonal variation.
    • Mountains affect precipitation: windward sides receive more rain, leeward sides are typically dry.

    Ocean Currents

    • Wind drives ocean currents.
    • Water density is determined by temperature and salinity.
    • Equator has higher salinity, 30 degrees latitude has lower.
    • Atlantic is saltier than Pacific.
    • Ekman spiral describes how wind affects multiple water layers, causing movement at a 90-degree angle to the wind direction (right in the N.H.).
    • Ocean gyres are circular current systems, moving warm water north and cold water south (important for Europe's climate).
    • Monsoonal systems are exceptions, with current reversals.

    Thermohaline Circulation

    • Thermohaline circulation is the deep ocean circulation of water and nutrients (surface flow, sinking, spreading).
    • It takes centuries for the movement to occur throughout the oceans.
    • Nutrient concentration increases with depth, while oxygen decreases.
    • Pacific is the most nutrient-rich ocean.
    • Pycnocline is the boundary between dense and less dense water layers.

    Sound in Water

    • Sound travels faster in warmer water and higher pressure.
    • Sound speed in water accounts for temperature and pressure.
    • SOFAR channels amplify sound.

    Causes of Nutrient Distribution

    • Diffusion (slow)
    • Double diffusion (salt fingers) is much faster than molecular diffusion.
    • Wind and wave mixing causes Langmuir circulation cells.

    Ocean Waves and Mixing

    • Internal waves exist between water layers of differing densities.
    • Internal waves breaking release nutrients and impact shelves.
    • Tidal mixing occurs along coastlines.
    • Island wakes and turbulence stir nutrient mixing.
    • Convective mixing is reduced in areas with strong thermocline layers.

    Eddy Formation

    • Cyclonic eddies circulate clockwise in the N.H. and bring upwelling.
    • Warm-core eddies circulate counter-clockwise in the N.H.
    • Eddy longevity determines nutrient upwelling's impact.
    • Eddies can affect hurricane formation.

    Benthic Regeneration and Nutrient Upwelling

    • Benthic regeneration in shallow waters leads to higher nutrient levels.
    • Hurricanes can bring nutrients to surface waters from the ocean bottom.

    Climate Variability

    • North Atlantic Oscillation (N.A.O) influences seasonal weather variability.
    • Ocean temperature trends have a general upward trend, but yearly variability can mask significant change.

    Plant Biomass

    • Land plants have significantly higher biomass than marine plants.

    Antiherbivore Devices

    • Land plants use size for defense (large enough for toxins).
    • Ocean plants reproduce rapidly, lacking time for elaborate defenses.

    Ecological Niches

    • Species occupy a niche hyperspace (n-dimensional).
    • Fundamental niche is the theoretical niche where a species can live, while the realized niche is where it actually lives.

    Fitness

    • Fitness is the ability to pass genes via reproduction.
    • Components of fitness include survival, reproduction, modes and frequency of reproduction, offspring number, and physiological health.

    Reproduction Modes

    • Binary fission, cloning, and sexual reproduction are common in different organisms.

    Life Cycles and Stages

    • Unicellular and multicellular organisms reproduce by various means like binary fission, budding, and zygote-to-adult stages.
    • Some organisms exhibit metamorphosis and molting stages to adapt.

    Environmental Factors and Adaptations

    • Adaptations are the responses to environmental pressures; responses may or may not enhance fitness.
    • Ecological adaptations may be molecular, biochemical, physiological, morphological or behavioral.

    Genetic Variation and Differentiation

    • Genetic variation facilitates adaptation to environmental change.
    • Genetic differentiation occurs when populations are geographically separated.
    • Genetic clines occur by natural selection through environmental gradients, without barriers.

    Constraints on Natural Selection

    • Time, gene flow, and adaptive landscape are constrains on natural selection.

    Coevolution

    • Prey and predator can adapt to each other simultaneously.

    Time and Space Scales of Environmental Changes

    • Environmental factors vary in magnitude, extremes, duration, frequency, and rate.
    • Time scale variations include rapid fluctuations, seasonal, decadal, and long-term factors with different adaptation effects.
    • Space scales include gradients, patches, and microtopography.

    Abiotic Factors - Water Needs

    • Water is a critical abiotic factor.
    • Osmosis, transpiration, and excretion are important water processes.

    Osmosis and Osmoregulation

    • Osmoconformers maintain their internal salt concentration similar to the environment; use organic compounds.
    • Osmoregulators maintain constant internal salt concentration by pumping salts and water in or regulating water intake.
    • Different strategies are associated with different aquatic environments (marine, freshwater, brackish).

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    Description

    Explore the intricate relationships between sunlight, temperature, and habitat diversity in this quiz. Understand the Coriolis effect and the role of wind currents in shaping climate patterns. Test your knowledge on how geographical factors influence ecosystems and weather systems.

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