14 Questions
What is the term for the variation in different ecosystems, including the number of species, habitats, communities, and ecological processes?
Diversity
What is the purpose of sediment analysis in ecology?
To determine the size of particles and classify the soil
What is the name of the survey tool used to observe an underwater area of good visibility by a snorkeler being pulled by a small boat?
Manta tow survey
What is the term for the maximum number of individuals that an ecosystem can support?
Carrying capacity
What is the purpose of the set of sieve in sediment analysis?
To separate particles of different sizes
What is the formula to calculate the percentage retained in sediment analysis?
10x Wt.of soil retained on sieve / Total sample weight
What is the term for the role of an organism within its environment?
Niche
What is the term for a group of potentially interacting populations?
Community
What is the term for the total rate of material production in an ecosystem?
Gross primary productivity
What is the term for a species that has a significant impact on its environment and determines many of its physical and chemical properties?
Foundation species
What is the term for the biological interaction that occurs when organisms or species compete for a limited resource?
Competition
What is the term for the zone of transition between two habitat types?
Ecotone
What is the term for the phenomenon where a small population size is more susceptible to extinction due to random changes?
Allee effect
What is the term for the number of organisms present in a defined area?
Population size
Study Notes
Ecology Terms
- Habitat: the place where an organism lives
- Niche: an organism's role within its environment
- Community: a group of potentially interacting populations
- Population: a group of organisms of the same species living in a specific area
- Species: a unique ensemble of genetic variation capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring
- Succession: a predictable ordering of species arrival and dominance following a disturbance
Productivity and Biomass
- Productivity: the rate at which organisms produce biomass
- Biomass: the mass of organisms present in a defined area or volume
- Gross Primary Productivity: the total rate at which material is produced
- Net Primary Productivity (NPP): the rate at which material is accumulated in excess of respiration
Population and Spatial Variation
- Population size: the number of organisms in a defined area
- Population density: the number of individuals per unit area
- Spatial variation: the measure of the type and spacing among individuals
Species Interactions
- Foundation species: species that contribute substantially to the structure of a local habitat
- Competition: a biological interaction where organisms or species compete for a limited resource
- Guild: a group of species that exploit the same resource
- Keystone species: a predator at the top of a food web exerting strong effects
- Ecotone: a zone of transition between two habitat types
Coral Reef Ecology
- Types of reefs: Patch reef, Bank reef, Barrier reef, Fringing reef, Shelf edge reef, Atoll reef
- Reef zones: Back reef, Reef crest, Reef flat, Breaker zone, Fore Reef, Lower fore reef, Algal ridge
- Survey tools: Manta tow, Snorkel survey, Point intercept
Sediment Analysis
- Objective: determine particle size, classify soil, and determine proportion of soil mass
- Apparatus: set of sieves, mechanical shaker, digital weighing scale, brush, containers
- Procedure:
- Dry sample for 1 week or 24 hours in an oven
- Weigh minimum 100g of dried sample
- Wash sieve before test and stack in order
- Pour sample into sieve stack and shake for 10-15 minutes
- Stop and measure each retained soil in respective sieve
- Calculate percent retained soil
Understand the fundamental concepts of ecology, including habitat, niche, population, community, and species. Learn about the differences and relationships between these important ecological terms.
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