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Questions and Answers
What does the term 'biotic community' refer to within an ecosystem?
What does the term 'biotic community' refer to within an ecosystem?
Which of the following components are part of an ecological system?
Which of the following components are part of an ecological system?
What is the significance of ecosystem management?
What is the significance of ecosystem management?
Who is associated with the development of general system theory relevant to ecology?
Who is associated with the development of general system theory relevant to ecology?
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Which of these best defines 'ecosystem diversity'?
Which of these best defines 'ecosystem diversity'?
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What primarily drives the global climate patterns?
What primarily drives the global climate patterns?
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How does descending dry air affect climate, particularly near 30° latitude?
How does descending dry air affect climate, particularly near 30° latitude?
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What type of climate is typically experienced in the tropics due to rising air masses?
What type of climate is typically experienced in the tropics due to rising air masses?
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What impact do the cooling trade winds have in the tropics?
What impact do the cooling trade winds have in the tropics?
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What does the term macroclimate refer to?
What does the term macroclimate refer to?
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What characterizes ecosystems according to the provided content?
What characterizes ecosystems according to the provided content?
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What are the components of the General System Theory model?
What are the components of the General System Theory model?
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What is indicated about larger systems in terms of their dependence on the external environment?
What is indicated about larger systems in terms of their dependence on the external environment?
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Which term describes the occurrence of energy and matter flowing in and out of an ecosystem?
Which term describes the occurrence of energy and matter flowing in and out of an ecosystem?
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What effect does high metabolic intensity have on an ecosystem's input and output?
What effect does high metabolic intensity have on an ecosystem's input and output?
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What is a key characteristic of the organizational system within General System Theory?
What is a key characteristic of the organizational system within General System Theory?
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In the Crispy-Chicken House model, which of the following is not mentioned as an output?
In the Crispy-Chicken House model, which of the following is not mentioned as an output?
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What does the autotrophic-heterotrophic balance imply about ecosystems?
What does the autotrophic-heterotrophic balance imply about ecosystems?
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What primarily causes seasonal variations in climate as one moves towards the poles?
What primarily causes seasonal variations in climate as one moves towards the poles?
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How do large bodies of water influence local climates?
How do large bodies of water influence local climates?
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What is one effect of mountain ranges on climate?
What is one effect of mountain ranges on climate?
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Which current carries warm water from the equator to the North Atlantic?
Which current carries warm water from the equator to the North Atlantic?
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What primarily influences the changing wind patterns that affect ocean currents?
What primarily influences the changing wind patterns that affect ocean currents?
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Which of the following accurately describes the characteristics of a south-facing slope in the Northern Hemisphere?
Which of the following accurately describes the characteristics of a south-facing slope in the Northern Hemisphere?
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What is an effect of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current?
What is an effect of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current?
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What is the primary function of the autotrophic stratum in an ecosystem?
What is the primary function of the autotrophic stratum in an ecosystem?
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What role do trade winds play in global air circulation?
What role do trade winds play in global air circulation?
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Which type of photosynthesis produces oxygen as a byproduct?
Which type of photosynthesis produces oxygen as a byproduct?
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What type of organisms are classified as phagotrophs in an ecosystem?
What type of organisms are classified as phagotrophs in an ecosystem?
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Which of the following describes cultural eutrophication?
Which of the following describes cultural eutrophication?
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What are allochthonous inputs in an ecosystem?
What are allochthonous inputs in an ecosystem?
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Which type of organisms primarily perform anoxygenic photosynthesis?
Which type of organisms primarily perform anoxygenic photosynthesis?
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What does the turnover rate in an ecosystem refer to?
What does the turnover rate in an ecosystem refer to?
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Which of the following components is involved in the material cycles within an ecosystem?
Which of the following components is involved in the material cycles within an ecosystem?
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Study Notes
Ecology and Ecosystems
- Ecology is the study of ecosystems
- An ecosystem includes biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components interacting within a given area
- It involves the flow of energy and the cycling of materials between these components
The Concept of the Ecosystem
- Biotic community: All organisms within an ecosystem
- Ecosystem (ecological system): A unit encompassing the biotic community and the physical environment
- The ecosystem shows a flow of energy leading to defined biotic structures and material cycling between living and non-living components
- Ecosystem management is a key aspect in this context
General System Theory
- Developed in the mid-20th century by Bertalanffy (1950, 1968)
- Key figures include E.P. Odum, E.C. Evans, Margalef, Watt, Patten, Van Dyne, and H.T. Odum
Ecosystem Ecology
- A definitive, quantitative field of study focused on general systems that comprise ecosystems
- Ecosystems are open systems with constant flows of matter and energy into and out
- The appearance and basic function of ecosystems may remain constant despite these changes
General System Theory (Organizational System)
- Inputs: Resources and information needed to supply the organization
- Processes/Throughputs: Activities required to complete work within the system
- Outputs: Outcomes, products and services generated or delivered by the organization
Ecosystem Model (External Environment)
- Input Environment: Factors include other energy sources and the immigration of materials and organisms
- System: The delimited system of interest
- Output Environment: Processed energy and materials, as well as emigration of organisms.
Ecosystem Diagram (Internal Dynamics)
- Diagram illustrates internal interactions within an ecosystem
- Shows inflows and outflows of matter (nutrients) and energy (organic matter)
- Interactions exist between ecosystem components
- Includes immigration and emigration of organisms
Factors Affecting Ecosystem Dimensions
- Size: Larger systems are less dependent on the external environment
- Metabolic Intensity: Higher rates lead to increased input and output
- Balance: Autotrophic-heterotrophic balance influences external factors that affect balance
- Stage of Development: Young systems differ from mature ones
Earth's Climate
- Earth's climate varies by latitude and season.
- Climate is geographically diverse
Climate and Disturbance
- Climate: Long-term prevailing weather conditions like temperature, precipitation, sunshine and winds.
- Macroclimate: Global, regional, and landscape-scale climate patterns.
- Microclimate: Small-scale climate conditions within a particular area, for instance, a community of organisms under a fallen log
Global Climate Patterns
- Determined by solar energy and the Earth's movement in space
- Causes variations in temperatures influencing evaporation and air/water circulation.
- Results in latitudinal variations in climate
Latitudinal Variation in Sunlight Intensity
- The angle of incoming solar radiation varies with latitude
- This variation drives temperature variations, evaporation, and air/water circulation
- There are resulting latitudinal variations in sunlight intensity, affecting climate patterns.
Global Wind Patterns
- Rising air releases water, causing high precipitation, notably in tropical regions.
- Descending air creates arid climates, especially at around 30 degrees latitude
- Earth's surface air movement generates predictable wind patterns
Regional and Local Effects on Climate
- Climate is greatly affected by seasonality, large bodies of water (like oceans), and mountains.
Seasonality
- Variations in sunlight and temperatures observed throughout the year
- Belts of wet and dry air move across the equator in relation to the changing angle of the sun
- Changing wind patterns impact ocean currents
Bodies of Water
- Oceans, currents and large lakes moderate the climate of nearby terrestrial environments.
- The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the equator to the Northern Atlantic
Urban Heat Island Effect
- Urban environments experience higher temperatures than surrounding areas.
- This increase in temperature is connected to the absorption and trapping of heat by building materials like asphalt and concrete.
- Heat-related health problems (like cardiovascular disease and heat stroke) are a consequence of this effect.
Breezes
- Explain the causes of ocean shoreline breezes
Ocean Currents
- Map of global ocean currents
Mountains and Climate
- Rain shadows influence desert formation
- Mountains affect sunlight reaching an area, thus affecting temperature and precipitation
- The amount of sunlight varies on the slopes of mountains (north or south), leading to differences in temperature and precipitation patterns.
Ecosystems of the World
- Different ecosystems (like forests, grasslands, deserts) are classified geographically
Trophic Structure
- Ecosystem layers
- Autotrophic stratum (upper): Contains chlorophyll-producing plants, fixing light energy, producing simple organic substances and other complex organic substances
- Heterotrophic stratum (lower): Contains soils, sediments, decaying matter and their decomposing organisms
Components of Ecosystems
- Inorganic materials (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and water) that drive material cycles within the ecosystem
- Organic compounds that connect biotic and abiotic components
- Physical factors like air, water and substrate environment including climate
- Producers (autotrophs): Organisms that can produce their own food.
- Phagotrophs (heterotrophs): Organisms that ingest other organisms or particulate organic materials
- Saprotrophs/decomposers: Organisms that break down dead organic matter
Habitats
- Natural Prairie and Cultivated Millet Field:
- Species comparisons show differences in habitats
- Species variety: The number of species
- Dominance indices (such as Simpson indices): Measure the degree of dominance among the species
- Diversity index (e.g., Shannon index): Measure the diversity of species
Horizontal Stratification
- Layering of different zones within a freshwater lake; e.g., Littoral zone (sunlit), Limnetic zone (light penetration), and Profundal zone (no light penetration).
- This can be extended to other environments (e.g., rainforest structure).
Vertical Stratification (in aquatic systems)
- Zones like epilimnion, thermocline, hypolimnion and benthic zone in lakes.
Measuring Community Metabolism
- Light/dark bottle technique used to measure community metabolism
- Turnover rate (ratio of throughput to content) is measured, important for understanding the ecological functioning of the ecosystem.
Global Production & Decomposition
- Allochthonous Input: Organic materials entering an ecosystem from outside of it
- Autochthonous Production: Organic materials produced inside the ecosystem, mainly during photosynthesis
- Kinds of Photosynthesis
- Oxygenic Photosynthesis: The most common type, where water is used as an electron donor, producing oxygen.
- Anoxygenic Photosynthesis: Certain bacteria utilize electron donors such as hydrogen sulfide instead of water, producing no oxygen.
Types of Photosynthetic Bacteria
- Cyanobacteria, Purple bacteria, Green bacteria, and facultative/obligate anaerobic bacteria
Photosynthesis Pathways (C3, C4, and CAM plants)
- C3 plants are the most common, C4 plants adapt to hot/dry climates and CAM plants are highly adapted to arid environments.
- The three different pathways have different efficiencies, initial carbon fixation products, and stomatal opening times (when their stomata open to take in gases from the atmosphere).
Ecological Evolution of C3, C4, and CAM Plants
- C3 plants are the original plant type
- C4 plants are an adaptation to hot and dry climates
- CAM plants are an adaptation to extremely arid conditions
Chemosynthetic Bacteria
- Chemosynthesis: Using inorganic chemical energy to produce organic molecules instead of light
- Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria
Types of Decomposition
- Aerobic respiration
- Anaerobic respiration
- Fermentation
Watershed Concept
- Eutrophication: process where a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients
- Cultural eutrophication: Enrichment caused, particularly, by human activities.
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Description
Test your knowledge on ecological concepts, including biotic communities, ecosystem diversity, and climate patterns. This quiz covers key components of ecosystem management and the significance of general system theory in ecology. Challenge yourself with questions about the interactions and characteristics that define ecosystems.
