Ecology Basics

What is the term for the variation in different ecosystems, including the number of species, habitats, communities, and ecological processes?

What is the purpose of sediment analysis in ecology?

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?

What is the term for the maximum number of individuals that an ecosystem can support?

What is the purpose of the set of sieve in sediment analysis?

What is the formula to calculate the percentage retained in sediment analysis?

What is the term for the role of an organism within its environment?

What is the term for a group of potentially interacting populations?

What is the term for the total rate of material production in an ecosystem?

What is the term for a species that has a significant impact on its environment and determines many of its physical and chemical properties?

What is the term for the biological interaction that occurs when organisms or species compete for a limited resource?

What is the term for the zone of transition between two habitat types?

What is the term for the phenomenon where a small population size is more susceptible to extinction due to random changes?

What is the term for the number of organisms present in a defined area?

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.