Ecology and Environmental Change

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What is the definition of environment?

Environment means surroundings. It is the sum total of external components, both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living), events and forces of nature which influence an organism or living entity without becoming its internal constituent.

What are the two types of factors that influence living organisms in the environment?

The two types of factors that influence living organisms in the environment are biotic factors and abiotic factors.

Give examples of biotic factors in the environment.

Examples of biotic factors in the environment include animals, plants, forests, fisheries, and birds.

Give examples of abiotic factors in the environment.

Examples of abiotic factors in the environment include air, water, sunlight, soil, temperature, minerals, energy, etc. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of environmental change?

Any change in the environment or ecosystem is called environmental change. Signup and view all the answers

What are some natural causes of environmental changes?

Some natural causes of environmental changes include forest fire, volcanic eruptions, and an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases. Signup and view all the answers

What are the major reasons for global warming?

Human interference as a result of globalization, industrialization in the form of deforestation, and excessive use of fossil fuels. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of short-term changes in an ecosystem?

Droughts, forest fires, and volcanic eruptions. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of abiotic components of the environment?

Soil, sunlight, water, climate, temperature, humidity. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of biotic components of the environment?

Plants, animals, and microbes. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of nutrient cycles?

Water cycle, carbon cycle, and nitrogen cycle. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of long-term adaptations in organisms?

The beaks of birds adapted to different feeding habits. Signup and view all the answers

What are genetic changes?

Genetic changes are changes in the structure of DNA, the genetic material of an organism, which can result from mutations. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of genetic adaptation?

An example of genetic adaptation is the development of long necks in giraffes over time. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of adaptations?

The two types of adaptations are structural adaptations and behavioral adaptations. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a structural adaptation.

An example of a structural adaptation is the variety of toes and claws in birds for different functions. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a behavioral adaptation.

An example of a behavioral adaptation is hibernation. Signup and view all the answers

What is evolutionary rescue?

Evolutionary rescue refers to the rapid adaptations that occur in a population due to environmental changes. Signup and view all the answers

What can evolutionary rescue prevent?

Evolutionary rescue can prevent population extinction. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of evolutionary rescue?

An example of evolutionary rescue is the adaptation of plankton to tolerate harmful algal blooms. Signup and view all the answers