32 Questions
What are biomes?
Specific types of ecosystems
What are the key concepts in ecosystem ecology?
Energy flows and nutrient cycling
What is ecology?
The study of interactions between species and their environment
What are the key concepts in ecosystem ecology?
The key concepts in ecosystem ecology are energy flows and nutrient cycling.
What is the role of decomposers in ecosystems?
They recycle nutrients back to autotrophs
What is the role of decomposers in ecosystems?
To recycle nutrients back to autotrophs
What is trophic efficiency and how is it measured?
Trophic efficiency refers to the percentage of production transferred between trophic levels. It is measured by dividing the energy or biomass at one trophic level by the energy or biomass at the next trophic level.
What is an ecological community?
A group of individuals of different species living together
What is the definition of trophic efficiency?
The percentage of production transferred between trophic levels
What is trophic efficiency?
The percentage of production transferred between trophic levels
What are the two types of interactions in ecological communities?
Positive and negative
How do decomposers contribute to nutrient cycling?
Decomposers play an essential role in recycling nutrients back to autotrophs by breaking down dead organic matter.
How do carnivores at the top trophic levels impact ecosystems?
They have consequences for the ecosystem
What are biomes and how do they relate to ecosystems?
Biomes are broad categories of ecosystems that correspond to geographic areas. They are characterized by similar climate and vegetation patterns.
What are the major negative interactions in ecological communities?
Predation and competition
What is the main cause of eutrophication in receiving waters?
Nutrient pollution from human activities
How do human activities impact the nitrogen cycle?
Human activities such as agriculture and fossil fuel combustion are altering the nitrogen cycle by increasing the amount of reactive nitrogen in the environment.
What is the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable pollution?
Biodegradable pollution is linked to nutrient cycling, while non-biodegradable pollution is not
How do biodegradable vs non-biodegradable pollutants affect nutrient cycling?
Biodegradable pollutants can be cycled back into the ecosystem, while non-biodegradable pollutants accumulate in organisms' tissues
What are the effects of predation on populations?
Negative effects
What is eutrophication?
A problem caused by excess nutrients in receiving waters
What is the main cause of human alteration of the nitrogen cycle?
Agricultural practices and fertilizer use
What is parasitism?
A negative effect on one species to the benefit of another, but does not result in death
What is the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable pollution?
Biodegradable pollution can be broken down by decomposers and recycled back into the ecosystem, while non-biodegradable pollution persists in the environment and can accumulate over time.
What is the main way in which hippos alter ecosystems?
By transferring nutrients through their waste
What is competition?
A negative effect on both species
How do carnivores at the top trophic levels impact ecosystems?
Carnivores at the top trophic levels are rare and have consequences for the ecosystem, as they require a large amount of energy and can affect the populations of their prey and lower trophic levels.
How do chemicals build up in organisms' tissues?
They biomagnify through food webs
What is the main difference between ecosystems and biomes?
Ecosystems are defined based on the question being asked, while biomes correspond to geographic areas
What is the ecological niche?
All the environmental conditions and resources that allow the persistence and growth of the species
How do hippos alter ecosystems?
By transferring nutrients through their waste
How do ecosystems vary in size and how can they be defined?
Ecosystems vary in size and can be defined based on the question being asked. They can range from small microcosms to entire biomes or even the entire planet.
Study Notes
- Ecology is the study of interactions between species and their environment
- An ecological community is an assemblage of populations of different species living close enough in an environment for potential interactions
- Interactions can be intraspecific (within a species) or interspecific (between several species) and can be neutral, positive or negative
- Predation and competition are major negative interactions in communities
- Predation has effects and implications on population size, behavior, physiology, and evolution
- Parasitism is a negative effect on one species to the benefit of another, but does not result in death
- Competition results in negative effects on both species and can lead to resource partitioning or character displacement
- Competition affects species richness, niches, and traits
- The ecological niche is all the environmental conditions and resources that allow the persistence and growth of the species.
- Interactions can evolve to neutralism thanks to resources partitioning or character displacement
Test your knowledge on ecological interactions and communities with this quiz! From predation to competition and the ecological niche, this quiz covers key concepts in ecology. Learn about the effects and implications of negative interactions and how they can evolve to neutralism. Sharpen your skills and become an expert on the study of interactions between species and their environment.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
