Ecology and Populations Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is ecology?

Ecology is the study of living organisms and their homes (environments).

What are abiotic components of an organism's environment?

Abiotic components are non-living factors such as warmth, heat, temperature, moisture, nutrients, and nonliving chemical and physical traits.

What are biotic components of an ecosystem?

Biotic components are the living things that shape an ecosystem, including competitors, predators, mutualists, and commensalists.

Define organismal ecology.

Organismal ecology is the study of the morphological, physiological, and behavioral ways in which individual organisms interact. Signup and view all the answers

What is population ecology?

Population ecology studies how the numbers of a population increase or decrease over time in relation to the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What are the factors that affect an organism's distribution?

Factors include dispersal, behavior, biotic factors (predation, parasitism, competition, disease), and abiotic factors (chemical and physical). Signup and view all the answers

What is biogeography?

Biogeography is the field of study that seeks to explain the past and present distribution of individual species. Signup and view all the answers

What is a biome?

A biome is defined by similar climate and communities of plants, animals, and soil organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are types of aquatic biomes?

Streams and Rivers Signup and view all the answers

Which of these factors are main components of climate?

Temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between environmentalism and ecology?

Ecologists study environmental interactions, while environmentalists advocate for natural resource protection and policy. Signup and view all the answers

What are some practical reasons for studying species distributions?

To study where organisms are found on Earth and how their distributions change over time due to human interaction and development. Signup and view all the answers

How do ecologists determine population size and density?

By constructing life tables and using the mark-recapture method. Signup and view all the answers

How does one estimate population size using the mark-recapture method?

By capturing, tagging, and then recapturing individuals in a population to estimate its size. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecology Overview

Ecology studies interactions between living organisms and their environments.
Distinct from environmentalism, which focuses on advocacy, policy, and action for the environment.

Components of Environment

Abiotic Components: Non-living elements like temperature, moisture, and nutrients.
Biotic Components: Living entities that influence ecosystems, including competitors, predators, mutualists, and commensalism.

Types of Ecology

Organismal Ecology: Examines individual organism interactions through morphology, physiology, and behavior.
Population Ecology: Investigates population dynamics, including growth and decline over time relating to environmental factors.
Community Ecology: Studies interactions among species in a shared environment, focusing on species competition.
Ecosystem Ecology: Looks at resource management and interactions of chemical, physical, and biological components within ecosystems.
Landscape Ecology: Focuses on the spatial arrangement and how human development impacts environments on a larger scale.

Factors Affecting Distribution

Dispersal: The movement limitations of organisms (e.g., seeds).
Behavior: Habitat choice influencing presence in an area.
Biotic Factors: Including predation, competition, and disease impacts.
Abiotic Factors: Chemical (salinity, pH) and physical (temperature, light) influences.
Biogeography: The science studying historical and present species distributions.

Biomes Classification

Biome Definition: Characterized by climate, plant communities, and soil organisms.
Aquatic Biomes:
- Marine: 3% salt content, crucial for biodiversity.
- Freshwater: 1% salt, vital for many species.
- Streams/Rivers: Flowing water connecting terrestrial environments.
- Wetlands: Transitional areas between land and water.
- Estuaries: Brackish water zones where fresh and saltwater meet.
- Seas/Oceans and Lakes also part of aquatic biomes.
Terrestrial Biomes:
- Tropical Forests: Rich biodiversity with multiple canopy layers.
- Savannas: Grasslands with scattered trees.
- Deserts: Low rainfall, adapted flora and fauna.
- Chaparral: Fire-prone ecosystems with dry summers and wet winters.
- Temperate Grasslands: Subject to seasonal droughts and fire.
- Temperate Deciduous Forests: Seasonal dormancy in trees.
- Coniferous Forests: Adaptations to cold, featuring gymnosperms.
- Tundra: Cold desert characterized by permafrost.

Climate Components

Climate elements include temperature, water, wind, and light, which shape ecological environments.

Environmentalism vs. Ecology

Ecologists focus on scientific research about ecosystems, while environmentalists advocate for natural resource protection and address ecological crises.

Importance of Species Distribution Studies

Understanding distribution aids in assessing species diversity and how human activities alter ecosystems over time.

Estimating Population Size

Life Tables: Monitor a cohort's longevity and changes.
Mark-Recapture Method: Involves tagging individuals to estimate population density through recapture data.

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Description

This quiz focuses on key concepts in ecology, including definitions and distinctions between abiotic and biotic components of environments. It aims to enhance understanding of ecological interactions and the role of ecologists. Test your knowledge of essential ecological terms and principles.