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What is the first group of organisms that establishes a community in an area called?
What is the first group of organisms that establishes a community in an area called?
Which stage of ecological succession occurs after the establishment of pioneer species?
Which stage of ecological succession occurs after the establishment of pioneer species?
What type of ecological succession begins on a lifeless ground?
What type of ecological succession begins on a lifeless ground?
In which step of ecological succession do organisms modify their environment to favor new species?
In which step of ecological succession do organisms modify their environment to favor new species?
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What is the gradual establishment of biotic communities on barren ground called?
What is the gradual establishment of biotic communities on barren ground called?
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What does the process of nudation refer to in ecological succession?
What does the process of nudation refer to in ecological succession?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of ecological succession?
Which of the following is NOT a type of ecological succession?
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What is the function of an ecosystem primarily focused on?
What is the function of an ecosystem primarily focused on?
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What term is used to describe the cyclic flow of nutrients between biotic and abiotic components?
What term is used to describe the cyclic flow of nutrients between biotic and abiotic components?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the three major processes in the water cycle?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three major processes in the water cycle?
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What is the process called when water vapor changes into liquid water in the atmosphere?
What is the process called when water vapor changes into liquid water in the atmosphere?
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Which of the following elements is considered a macronutrient?
Which of the following elements is considered a macronutrient?
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Which process describes liquid water moving across land as a result of rainfall or snowmelt?
Which process describes liquid water moving across land as a result of rainfall or snowmelt?
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Which nutrient cycle involves the conversion of dead organic matter back into inorganic substances?
Which nutrient cycle involves the conversion of dead organic matter back into inorganic substances?
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What role does transpiration play in the water cycle?
What role does transpiration play in the water cycle?
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Which of the following processes would not be classified under the water cycle?
Which of the following processes would not be classified under the water cycle?
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What is the primary role of nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
What is the primary role of nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
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Which process is directly responsible for releasing nitrogen back into the atmosphere?
Which process is directly responsible for releasing nitrogen back into the atmosphere?
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What primarily affects the unique physical distribution of a species in a specific location?
What primarily affects the unique physical distribution of a species in a specific location?
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What is the implication of a population being in equilibrium?
What is the implication of a population being in equilibrium?
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Where is phosphorus primarily found in nature?
Where is phosphorus primarily found in nature?
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What does the Law of Conservation of Energy state?
What does the Law of Conservation of Energy state?
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How is the efficiency of an energy system calculated?
How is the efficiency of an energy system calculated?
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What happens to excess phosphate fertilizers used in agriculture?
What happens to excess phosphate fertilizers used in agriculture?
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Which factor is classified under mortality in population dynamics?
Which factor is classified under mortality in population dynamics?
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In a calorimeter, what does the formula q = mCΔT represent?
In a calorimeter, what does the formula q = mCΔT represent?
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Which organism is known for playing a significant role in the phosphorus cycle?
Which organism is known for playing a significant role in the phosphorus cycle?
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What is the specific heat of water used in calorimetry calculations?
What is the specific heat of water used in calorimetry calculations?
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What is the relationship between the rates of energy in and energy out for a system at steady-state?
What is the relationship between the rates of energy in and energy out for a system at steady-state?
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In the equation T3 = (T1Q1 + T2Q2) / Q3, what does T3 represent?
In the equation T3 = (T1Q1 + T2Q2) / Q3, what does T3 represent?
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If a diesel electric generator has an efficiency of 38% and consumes 10,000 gallons of diesel, what is a factor influencing its output electricity?
If a diesel electric generator has an efficiency of 38% and consumes 10,000 gallons of diesel, what is a factor influencing its output electricity?
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When a coal-fired power plant discharges cooling water at 80°C into a river at 20°C, what factor is necessary to calculate the river's temperature after the discharge?
When a coal-fired power plant discharges cooling water at 80°C into a river at 20°C, what factor is necessary to calculate the river's temperature after the discharge?
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What is the main use of hot water in energy production?
What is the main use of hot water in energy production?
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What is a significant environmental impact of hydroelectric energy production?
What is a significant environmental impact of hydroelectric energy production?
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Which benefit is associated with biomass energy?
Which benefit is associated with biomass energy?
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What is the primary source of energy for solar power?
What is the primary source of energy for solar power?
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What negative impact can geothermal energy have on the environment?
What negative impact can geothermal energy have on the environment?
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What is a major environmental benefit of wind energy?
What is a major environmental benefit of wind energy?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding tidal energy?
Which of the following statements is true regarding tidal energy?
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What is one potential downside to solar energy production?
What is one potential downside to solar energy production?
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Which of the following energy sources is classified as non-renewable?
Which of the following energy sources is classified as non-renewable?
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What is one benefit of using wind power?
What is one benefit of using wind power?
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Which of the following correctly describes the impact of biomass crops?
Which of the following correctly describes the impact of biomass crops?
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What is a potential environmental impact of geothermal energy?
What is a potential environmental impact of geothermal energy?
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Which type of energy is derived from sea waves?
Which type of energy is derived from sea waves?
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What distinguishes renewable energy sources from non-renewable ones?
What distinguishes renewable energy sources from non-renewable ones?
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Study Notes
Ecological Succession
- Progressive replacement of one community by another until a stable community is established is called ecological succession.
- Pioneer Community: First organisms to establish themselves in a new area.
- Seres: Various developmental stages of a community during succession.
Types of Ecological Succession
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Primary Succession: Establishment of biotic communities on lifeless ground.
- Hydrarch (Hydrosere): Succession in aquatic environments.
- Xerarch (Xerosere): Succession in dry environments.
- Secondary Succession: Establishment of biotic communities where some form of life already exists.
Process of Ecological Succession
- Nudation: Formation of a bare area lacking life.
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Invasion: Migration and establishment of species in the bare area.
- Migration: Seeds dispersed by wind, water, or animals.
- Establishment: Seeds germinate and form pioneer communities.
- Competition: Struggle among species for resources such as space and nutrients.
- Reaction: Organisms modify their surroundings, making it less suitable for some species while favoring others, leading to seral communities.
- Stabilization: Establishment of a stable community that achieves equilibrium with its environment.
Function of an Ecosystem
- Ecosystems enable the flow of energy and recycling of nutrients.
- Key components include energy and material flow, food chains, food webs, and food pyramids.
Trophic Feeding Levels
- Producers: Typically plants, represent the first trophic level in ecosystems.
- Various forms of renewable energy contribute to energy production including biomass, solar, wind, tidal, and hydroelectric energy.
Environmental Benefits and Impacts of Renewable Energy
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Hydroelectric Energy:
- Benefits: No air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions.
- Impacts: Ecosystem disruption and habitat degradation.
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Geothermal Energy:
- Requires large water usage, potential thermal pollution, and harmful emissions.
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Biomass:
- Minimal pollution, improves soil quality, and can enhance wildlife habitats.
-
Wind Energy:
- Clean energy with no emissions, but can harm local wildlife and land use.
-
Solar Energy:
- No pollution during energy generation, but manufacturing solar cells can involve hazardous materials.
-
Tidal Energy:
- Pollution-free but can affect marine ecosystems and require significant land alterations.
Non-Renewable Energy
- Resources are finite, and their replacement is slow or non-existent. Energy efficiency can be measured and calculated through specific equations.
Calorimetry
- A calorimeter measures heat produced during chemical reactions.
- Energy calculations can be performed using the formula: q = mCΔT.
Biological Cycles in the Environment
- Nutrient Cycling: Essential elements are recycled between biotic and abiotic components, including the flow of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
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Hydrological Cycle: Movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation processes.
- Additional processes include runoff and transpiration.
Nitrogen Cycle
- Nitrification: Conversion of ammonia to nitrates by nitrifying bacteria.
- De-nitrification: Conversion of nitrates back to nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria, completing the cycle.
Phosphorus Cycle
- Phosphorus is primarily sourced from rocks, playing crucial roles in biological systems. It cycles through terrestrial and aquatic environments and is often lost due to agricultural runoff.
Population Dynamics
- Study of species populations over time based on environmental factors influences growth or decline.
- Determinants of population change include birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration, with equilibrium marking stability in population density.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of ecological succession, including different stages such as pioneer communities and seral stages. Understand how these communities evolve over time and the significance of each stage in ecological development.
