Ecology and Natural Selection Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of these is not a step in natural selection?

struggle for existence

survival of the fittest

underpopulation (correct)

variation

Which of these is not a characteristic of fitness?

Fitness is species-specific. (correct)

Fitness is environment-specific.

Higher reproductive rate means higher fitness.

Fitness should be measured across several generations.

Ecology is the scientific study of ___ that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms.

statics

dynamics

interactions (correct)

habitat

In the Greek word root of Ecology, Oikos refers to:

household Signup and view all the answers

'Enquiry into plants' is a book written by:

Theophrastus Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is not a kind of selection?

stochastic Signup and view all the answers

Who amongst these is considered the father of Biogeography?

Humboldt Signup and view all the answers

Ecology is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and their ___.

environment Signup and view all the answers

Egrets with buffaloes is an example of which type of interaction?

Commensalism Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the behavior where a monkey removes a tick from another monkey's head?

Allo grooming Signup and view all the answers

Birds on giraffes exemplify which ecological concept?

Commensalism Signup and view all the answers

In harmonious interactions, which condition is typically present?

Both participants are benefitted Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the behavior of a bird removing a tick from another bird's head?

Allo grooming Signup and view all the answers

The relationship between exotic shrubs and trees via seed predators is an example of?

Apparent competition Signup and view all the answers

What type of ecological interaction is trampling of grass by animals?

Amensalism Signup and view all the answers

For biodiversity to thrive, the level of disturbance should be at what level?

Intermediate Signup and view all the answers

Hierarchical structures in ecosystems emerge mainly due to which characteristic?

Imperfect processes Signup and view all the answers

What type of biological structure is a mitochondrion classified as?

Sub-cellular organelle Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with proposing the hierarchical system in ecological studies?

Simon Signup and view all the answers

Biodiversity is typically higher in areas characterized by which environmental conditions?

Low competition and high predation Signup and view all the answers

What does the definition focusing on 'groups of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations' refer to?

Species Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the diversity that exists within a specific ecosystem?

Alpha (α) biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

The term for the diversity among various geographical locations is known as what?

Beta (β) biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

How can the emergent principle in ecological systems be summarized?

Whole is greater than the sum of parts Signup and view all the answers

What size does mesodebris refer to in the context of plastic debris?

5 - 20 mm Signup and view all the answers

Replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs to reduce electricity consumption is an example of which climate change action?

Mitigation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a principle of ecological restoration?

Short-term sustainability Signup and view all the answers

Building artificial water holes in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve due to droughts is an example of what in the context of climate change?

Adaptation Signup and view all the answers

According to Ludwig's ratchet, what is predicted regarding harvesting rates?

Decreasing harvesting rate Signup and view all the answers

In the equation R + G = M + F, what does each variable represent in ecological models?

Reproduction, Growth, Mortality, and Fecundity Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called when a deciduous forest is restored after mining operations?

Restoration Signup and view all the answers

Creating a lake in a mined area that attracts migratory birds can be classified as what?

Enhancement Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements accurately describes the relationship between fundamental and realised niches?

Fundamental niche > Realised niche Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of importance value in ecological studies?

0 to 100 Signup and view all the answers

Cattle disturbance controlling the climax near Tindni village exemplifies which climax type?

Disclimax Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is not typically associated with pioneer species?

Large size Signup and view all the answers

Which sequence correctly depicts the stages of lithosere primary succession?

Rock → Crustose lichen → Foliose lichen → Moss → Herbaceous stage → Shrub → Woodland → Climax Signup and view all the answers

What does Shelford’s law of tolerance suggest about species distribution?

Species distribution is controlled by the factor with the narrowest tolerance range. Signup and view all the answers

Transplantation experiments in ecology primarily determine which aspect of species?

Potential range Signup and view all the answers

In ecological terms, how is 'good climate' classified?

Push factor Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Natural Selection

Underpopulation is not a step in natural selection.
Fitness is environment-specific.
Fitness is species-specific.
Higher reproductive rate indicates higher fitness.
Fitness should be measured across generations.

Ecology

Ecology is the study of interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms.
Oikos refers to "household."
Logos refers to "study."
Theophrastus wrote “Enquiry into Plants.”
Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and their environment.

Types of Selection

Directional, disruptive, and stabilizing are all kinds of selection.
Stochastic is not a kind of selection.

Biogeography

Alexander von Humboldt is considered the father of biogeography.

Hierarchy in Ecology

Hierarchical structures are stable.
The hierarchical system was proposed by G. Evelyn Hutchinson.
Biodiversity increases with less competition and more predation.
A species is a group of interbreeding populations that are reproductively isolated from other groups.
Alpha biodiversity is the diversity within an ecosystem.
Beta biodiversity is the diversity among different geographies.
Gamma biodiversity is the diversity across large spatial scales, often encompassing multiple ecosystems.
The emergent principle states that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
The laboratory approach to Ecology utilizes experiments.
There is more biodiversity at intermediate levels of disturbance.

Interactions in Ecology

Egrets with buffaloes exhibit commensalism.
Allogrooming is a social behavior where one individual grooms another.
Birds on giraffe are an example of commensalism.
Harmonious interactions benefit at least one participant without harming any participants.
Autogrooming is a social behavior where one individual grooms itself.
The interaction between exotic shrubs and trees through seed predators is an example of apparent competition.
The trampling of grass by animals is an example of amensalism.

Ecological Niche

The fundamental niche is larger than the realized niche.
Importance value varies from 0 to 300.

Succession and Climax

A disclimax is a climax community that is controlled by disturbance.
Pioneer species are able to grow on bare rocks, tolerate extreme temperatures, and have a short lifespan.
The correct sequence for lithosere primary succession is Rock → Crustose lichen → Foliose lichen → Moss → Herbaceous stage → Shrub → Woodland → Climax.

Tolerance and Distribution

Shelford's law of tolerance states that the distribution of a species will be controlled by the environmental factor for which the organism has the narrowest range of tolerance.
Transplantation experiments are used to find the potential range of a species.

Climate Change

Mesodebris is plastic debris with fragments that are 5-20 mm in size.
Replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs is an example of mitigation in the context of climate change.
Ecological integrity, benefits for society, and being informed by past and future are all principles of ecological restoration.
Building artificial water holes to combat drought due to climate change is an example of adaptation.

Conservation and Management

Ludwig’s ratchet predicts an increasing harvesting rate.
R + M = G + F is the correct equation for population dynamics.
Reforestation of a mined area after filling it with soil and planting deciduous forest species is an example of restoration.
Creating a lake in a mined area and it being visited by migratory birds is an example of enhancement.

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Description

Explore the concepts of natural selection, ecology, and biogeography in this quiz. Test your understanding of the various types of selection, the hierarchy in ecology, and key figures in the field. Enhance your knowledge of how organisms interact and adapt in their environments.