Ecological Concepts and Ecosystems Quiz

Ecological Concepts

• 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.

Historical Perspectives

• 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.

Levels of Organization in Ecology

• 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.

Ecosystem Components

Abiotic Factors

• 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.

Biotic Components

• 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

• 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.

Terrestrial Biomes

• 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.

Climatic Influences

• 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.

Specific Biome Characteristics

• 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.