Ecology Chapter on Aquatic and Terrestrial Zones

The part of an aquatic ecosystem where sunlight does not penetrate, making it devoid of light necessary for photosynthesis.

Factors like climate, soil conditions, and human activity that directly impact the growth and development of ecosystems.

The process of ecological change in an area where there was no previous soil or biological community, such as newly formed volcanic islands, glacial retreats, or bare rock.

The process of ecological change in an area where a biological community previously existed but was disturbed, such as reforestation, abandoned fields, or coral reef recovery.

Wildfires can clear out dead or decaying material, release nutrients into the soil, and trigger the germination of seeds in fire-adapted plant species to help regenerate certain plant species.

The rate at which wind moves, often measured in miles per hour or kilometers per hour.

The process where a body of water becomes enriched with nutrients, often from human activities like agricultural runoff, leading to excessive plant growth and oxygen depletion.

The natural process of change in an ecosystem over time, starting from a bare environment and progressing towards a stable, mature state.

The open water zone of an ocean or lake, not near the bottom or shores, encompassing a variety of depths and light levels.

The process where the temperature of a body of water increases, often due to human activities like industrial discharge, leading to changes in aquatic life and ecosystems.

The condition where the level of oxygen in a body of water becomes too low to support aquatic life, often caused by eutrophication.

The final, stable stage of ecological succession, where biodiversity is high and the community is in equilibrium with the environment.

The bottom layer of an ocean or lake, where sediments accumulate and organisms adapted to low light conditions thrive.

The deep ocean zone characterized by extreme pressure, near-freezing temperatures, and complete darkness. Very little life exists due to the harsh conditions.

The process by which organisms produce energy from chemical reactions, rather than sunlight. Common in the abyssopelagic zone where sunlight is absent.

The process by which organisms convert light energy into chemical energy, forming the basis of most food webs. Occurs primarily in the epipelagic zone due to sunlight.

A type of greenhouse gas produced by livestock, rice paddies, and manure management. Contributes significantly to global warming.

The practice of raising livestock, primarily for their meat, milk, and eggs. Contributes significantly to methane emissions through enteric fermentation.

The process of digestion in livestock where methane is produced as a byproduct. A major contributor to methane emissions from agriculture.

The practice of cultivating rice in flooded fields. Releases significant amounts of methane into the atmosphere.

Species that colonize barren environments, such as rocks or volcanic surfaces. They are adapted to harsh conditions and play a crucial role in soil formation.

A mutation affecting non-reproductive cells, often leading to diseases like cancer. It is not inherited by offspring.

The process of plants absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and incorporating it into their tissues, contributing to the long-term storage of carbon.

The natural circulation of carbon between the Earth's atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

The first large-scale forests formed during the Silurian Period, composed of primitive vascular plants that reproduced using spores.

A change in one DNA base that alters a single amino acid in the protein sequence.

A mutation that creates a premature 'stop' signal in the DNA, leading to a shortened protein.

A mutation that changes the reading frame of the DNA, altering most of the protein sequence.

A change in the DNA that does not affect the amino acid sequence of the protein.

Species introduced to a new environment where they lack natural predators, leading to disruption of native ecosystems.

The process of increased CO2 absorption in ocean water, lowering its pH and harming organisms with calcium carbonate shells.

Algae living inside corals, providing them with energy through photosynthesis.

The zone in the ocean where there's no light, and organisms rely on chemosynthesis to survive.