Ecological Concepts and Ecosystems Quiz

Study Notes

Ecology, first defined by Ernst Haeckel in 1866, combines Greek words "oikos" (house) and "logos" (study).
The discipline focuses on the interactions between organisms and their external environment, encompassing physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting survival, growth, and reproduction.

Natural history involves qualitative studies of plant and animal life, while quantitative biological inquiries use systematic measurements to formulate ecological theories.
A resurgence of interest in natural history is critical for ecological, evolutionary, and conservation research.
Real-world data from natural history provide essential context for testing ecological theories and hypotheses.

Organisms are the fundamental unit, interacting with their environment and each other.
Populations consist of organisms of the same species in a specific area at a given time.
Communities are made up of multiple populations interacting in an area.
Ecosystems include living (biotic) communities and non-living (abiotic) environmental factors.
Most ecological studies focus on ecosystems to analyze interactions between biotic and abiotic elements.

Important abiotic components include temperature, light, humidity, precipitation, wind, and water currents.
Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate is the long-term average of weather over 30+ years.
Microclimate refers to small, localized climate variations, while macroclimate encompasses broader climate patterns.

Producers (autotrophs) generate organic materials via photosynthesis, relying on solar energy.
Consumers (heterotrophs) require organic substances from other organisms, including herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and detritivores.
Decomposers transform dead organic matter, playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling and energy flow in ecosystems.

Biomes are major life zones characterized by distinct vegetation types or physical environments, influenced by temperature and precipitation patterns.
Terrestrial biomes include forests, grasslands, chaparral, tundra, and deserts, while aquatic biomes are classified by their physical properties.

Forests: Divided into tropical, temperate, and conifer forests, characterized by abundant trees and biodiversity.
Grasslands: Tropical savannas, temperate grasslands, and chaparral are defined by grasses and seasonal precipitation patterns.
Tundra: Cold environments with limited vegetation and seasonal variations.
Deserts: Found in arid regions, receiving minimal precipitation and supporting specialized flora and fauna.

Vegetation adaptations in biomes reflect local climate conditions, such as temperature and moisture levels, affecting the distribution and types of plant and animal species.
Vertical layering in forests provides diverse microhabitats for numerous species.

Tropical Rainforest: High biodiversity, constant rainfall; 150 cm+ annually and warm temperatures year-round.
Temperate Deciduous Forest: Seasonal rainfall and temperatures; prevalent in midlatitudes with diverse flora and fauna.
Savanna: Warm climate with seasonal precipitation; adapted to fire and herbivore coexistence through resource partitioning.
Chaparral: Characterized by dry summers and rainy winters, with fire-resistant shrubs and grass.
Temperate Grasslands: Dominated by grasses due to seasonal precipitation; significant agricultural land.
Deserts: Found 30° N/S of the equator; cover 30% of Earth's surface, characterized by low moisture availability.