B3 - Studying Organisms in Ecosystems
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Questions and Answers

What is an ecotone?

  • A type of abiotic factor that affects ecosystems
  • An area with sharp boundaries between ecosystems
  • A zone with uniformly high biodiversity
  • A transition area between different ecosystems (correct)

    • How do abiotic factors influence ecosystems?

  • They have no impact on organism distribution
  • They determine competitive roles among species
  • They only affect terrestrial ecosystems
  • They dictate the productivity of ecosystems and living things' distribution (correct)

    • What does an ecological niche encompass?

  • Only the habitat of an organism
  • The abiotic factors present in its environment
  • The organism's role, feeding habits, and breeding conditions (correct)
  • The specific predators of the organism

    • Why does increased biodiversity make an ecosystem less fragile?

    <p>It provides multiple food sources and guards against extinction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of different niches among species?

    <p>It decreases competition by allowing species to exploit different resources (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily affected when a new species enters an ecosystem?

    <p>There is a disturbance in the ecosystem. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of exotic species?

    <p>They are not native to the ecosystem. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a way that new species can be introduced into an ecosystem?

    <p>By humans actively transporting them. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might native populations struggle against introduced species?

    <p>They might be weaker due to predators or disease. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact do starlings have on native bird species?

    <p>They compete for nesting sites and often evict native birds. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary cause of the decline in bluebird populations mentioned?

    <p>Competition from starlings. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main cause of species depletion and extinction mentioned?

    <p>Habitat loss. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many introduced species have been documented in Canada?

    <p>Less than 3,000. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a biome?

    <p>Its temperature and precipitation range (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which biome is characterized by coniferous trees?

    <p>Taiga (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary abiotic factor affecting diversity in terrestrial ecosystems?

    <p>Precipitation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aquatic zone has sufficient light for photosynthesis?

    <p>Limnetic zone (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which biome would you expect to find the least diversity?

    <p>Desert (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of competition happens between different species?

    <p>Interspecific competition (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ecological interaction involves one organism consuming another?

    <p>Predation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What classifies a limiting factor as abiotic?

    <p>It relates to environmental conditions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which species is a predator in the taiga biome?

    <p>Weasel (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of nourishment for a parasite?

    <p>The host organism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which zone in a lake is defined as the area where no plants grow on the bottom?

    <p>Profundal zone (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is intraspecific competition characterized?

    <p>Competition within the same population (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main characteristic of the taiga biome?

    <p>Dominance of conifers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does population density have on parasitic interactions?

    <p>Increases risk of parasite infestation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Ecosystem diversity

    Different ecosystems have varying levels of biodiversity, with ecotones often showing higher biodiversity than the ecosystems they connect.

    Organism distribution

    Organisms are not equally distributed across Earth. Abiotic factors like temperature and sunlight largely affect where life thrives in ecosystems.

    Ecological niche

    An organism's specific role in an ecosystem, including its feeding habits, habitat, breeding grounds, and activity times.

    Limiting factor

    An environmental condition that restricts the growth or distribution of organisms.

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    Ecotone

    A transition zone between different ecosystems, typically having greater biodiversity than the ecosystems it separates.

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    What is an exotic species?

    A species that is not native to an ecosystem and has been introduced, often by humans.

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    How do exotic species impact ecosystems?

    Exotic species can disrupt ecosystems by competing with native species for resources (like food and shelter) and sometimes introducing diseases or predators that native species haven't evolved to deal with.

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    What's an example of an exotic species that successfully established a niche?

    The opossum, originally from South America, is now found in North America and has successfully established a niche in forest ecosystems.

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    What's the impact of introduced exotic species on native species?

    Introduced exotic species can have a negative impact on native species by competing for resources, introducing diseases, or acting as predators. This can lead to population decline and even extinction.

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    What's the relationship between starlings and bluebirds in North America?

    Starlings, an exotic species introduced to North America, are now one of the most prominent birds. They compete with native bluebirds for prime nesting sites, driving down bluebird populations.

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    What's a significant consequence of exotic species introductions?

    One of the major causes of species depletion and extinction is the introduction of exotic species by humans, though habitat loss is the primary cause.

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    How can native and exotic species competition affect a population?

    Native species may be weaker against exotic species due to disease or a lack of existing defenses, leading to difficulty competing for resources or reproducing.

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    What's the connection between exotic species introductions and human activity?

    Human actions, like transporting species to new environments, are a major factor in introducing exotic species and disrupting ecosystems.

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    Biome

    A large geographical area with specific temperature and precipitation ranges, supporting organisms adapted to those conditions.

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    Taiga Biome

    Also known as boreal forest, characterized by coniferous trees adapted to cold winters and warm summers. Found throughout Canada.

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    Conifer Adaptations

    Conifers in the taiga have thin needle-shaped leaves, a wax coating, and pyramid shapes to reduce water loss and withstand harsh conditions.

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    Aquatic Ecosystem Diversity

    In aquatic environments, sunlight availability determines abiotic niches, with more diversity in upper layers with more light.

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    Littoral Zone

    The shallow area of a lake or pond where plants grow with roots anchored to the bottom.

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    Limnetic Zone

    The open water area of a lake or pond where there is enough light for photosynthesis.

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    Plankton

    Microscopic organisms, both autotrophic and heterotrophic, found in the limnetic zone of lakes and ponds.

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    Profundal Zone

    The deep region of a lake below the limnetic zone, where there's no light for photosynthesis. Detritus is broken down here.

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    Growth-Limiting Factors

    Environmental conditions that restrict organism growth or distribution.

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    Abiotic Limiting Factors

    Environmental factors like soil type, moisture, humidity, and temperature that affect producers' growth.

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    Biotic Limiting Factors

    Living factors like competition, predation, and parasitism that affect growth rates.

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    Intraspecific Competition

    Competition for resources between members of the same species.

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    Interspecific Competition

    Competition for resources between different species.

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    Predation

    One organism consuming another for food.

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    Parasitism

    One organism benefiting by living in or on another organism, the host, which is harmed.

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    Study Notes

    Studying Organisms in Ecosystems

    • Life on Earth is not evenly distributed.
    • Abiotic factors (like soil type, moisture, humidity, temperature) influence ecosystem productivity and the distribution of living things.
    • Organisms can tolerate changes in abiotic conditions, but only within a specific range.

    Ecotones and Biodiversity

    • Ecosystems often transition between each other, lacking sharp boundaries.
    • Ecotones are transition areas between ecosystems.
    • Ecotones often have greater biodiversity than individual ecosystems.
    • Increased biodiversity means a less fragile ecosystem.
    • Predators that rely on one specific prey are more vulnerable. Predators with multiple prey sources are more likely to survive.
    • Ecotones help by providing multiple food sources, which helps ecosystems survive.

    Roles in Ecosystems

    • Ecological niche: An organism's role in an ecosystem encompasses its place in the food web, habitat, breeding area, and most active time of day.
    • A niche includes everything an organism needs to survive.
    • Each species in an ecosystem has a different niche to reduce competition.
    • Different species can have overlapping roles, but specific niches minimize conflict.

    Competition for Niches

    • Introducing a new species can disrupt an ecosystem.
    • New species compete with existing species for available niches.
    • Exotic species are not native to an ecosystem.
    • Animals can be mobile and spread plant seeds, which can occur naturally.

    Introduction of Exotic Species

    • Humans introduce new species, which can lead to the depletion or extinction of existing native species.
    • Native populations might be weaker or lack defenses against new predators.
    • New species can compete for resources (food, space, reproductive sites).
    • Introduced predator species might have advantage because they may not have any defenses or have stronger predators.
    • Starlings, a species introduced to North America, have outcompeted other birds.

    Biomes

    • Biome: A large geographical area defined by its unique temperature and precipitation, together with its adapted organisms.
    • Dominant species characterize a biome (e.g., coniferous trees in the taiga, prairie grasses in grasslands).
    • Canada has four main terrestrial biomes and two major aquatic biomes.

    Ecosystem Diversity

    • In terrestrial ecosystems, precipitation and temperature are key factors influencing diversity.
    • Tropical rainforests typically have the greatest biodiversity.
    • Areas closer to the equator tend to have greater biodiversity.
    • Earth's unequal heating creates major climate zones, which influences biodiversity.
    • The climate and other abiotic factors affect plant and animal distribution.

    Taiga Biome

    • Taiga is also called the boreal forest biome.
    • Found throughout much of Alberta and other provinces, including the Rocky Mountains.
    • Conifer trees (cone-bearing trees) dominate the taiga.
    • It contains many different ecosystems in a larger biome.
    • Conifers are adapted to survive the biome's cold winters and warm summers (e.g., needle shape for water conservation).
    • Predatory animals often live here, including bears, weasels, owls, and wolverines.

    Aquatic Ecosystem Diversity

    • Light availability is a key factor determining abiotic niches in aquatic environments.
    • Upper layers of aquatic environments have more light and support more diverse photosynthetic organisms.
    • Deeper layers have less light and fewer species due to reduced photosynthesis.

    Growth-Limiting Factors

    • Abiotic factors (soil type, moisture, humidity, temperature) limit producers.
    • Biotic factors (competition, predation, parasitism) affect growth rates.

    Competition

    • Resources are finite (limited). Competition is prevalent in all ecosystems.
    • Intraspecific competition occurs within a single species.
    • Interspecific competition occurs between different species.

    Predation

    • Predation is a biotic interaction where one organism consumes another.
    • Predators that feed on many prey types can significantly influence food web relationships.

    Parasitism

    • Parasites derive nourishment from a host organism, harming the host.
    • Parasites may not always harm the host permanently.
    • A higher host population density can increase parasite populations.
    • Parasitism influences the reproductive and survival capacity of the host organism.

    Population Sampling

    • Ecologists use methods to estimate population sizes.
    • Methods include counting individuals, averaged over multiple smaller samples; and transect and quadrat sampling.
    • Transect involves counting organisms along a line.
    • Quadrat methods involve choosing multiple evenly spaced areas and counting organisms within the quadrat.

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    B3 - Studying Organisms in Ecosystems (Updated 2024) PDF

    Description

    Explore the intricate relationships between organisms and their ecosystems, focusing on the impact of abiotic factors and the significance of ecotones. This quiz covers ecological niches and the roles organisms play in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Test your understanding of these crucial concepts in ecology.

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