Ecology Chapter: Organisms and Habitats
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Questions and Answers

Which component best describes the surroundings of a specific organism?

  • Microenvironment (correct)
  • World
  • Habitat
  • Ecosphere
  • The biosphere is divided into two main habitats: marine and freshwater.

    False (B)

    What is the term for the basic unit in a biosphere?

    Biotope

    The three types of habitats in the biosphere are marine, freshwater, and ___ .

    <p>terrestrial</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organism is an example of a geobiont?

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

    Match the following biotic factors to their definitions:

    <p>Competition = The struggle between organisms for the same resources Commensalism = One species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed Predation = One organism preys on another Parasitism = One organism benefits at the expense of another</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Microarthropods have well-developed visual organs.

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

    What factor does Liebig's law of the minimum emphasize for plant growth?

    <p>Availability of nutrients in minimum quantities (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do larvae play in soil ecology?

    <p>Predators</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Abiotic factors of an ecosystem include all living organisms.

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

    The organisms that are well adapted to life in the soil and cannot leave this environment are called __________.

    <p>geobionts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following groups of microarthropods with their origin:

    <p>gp1 = Originated in epigeous habitat (above the soil) gp2 = Originated directly in the soil gp3 = Don't have forms in epigeous or aquatic habitat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of ecological niche describes the position of an organism in environmental gradients of temperature, moisture, pH, and soil?

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

    In sympatry, species occur in different geographic regions.

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

    What is competitive exclusion?

    <p>The principle that no two species can persist in the same niche, leading to extinction of one or both.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Species that diverge in sympatry and converge in allopatry are exhibiting _____ displacement.

    <p>character</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following species with their feeding habits:

    <p>Notonecta = Feeds on other animals Corixa = Feeds on decaying vegetation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What adaptive value does character displacement provide?

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

    Individuals in overlapping niches show greater survivorship compared to those in non-overlapping niches.

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

    Provide an example of two species that could demonstrate competitive exclusion.

    <p>Two plant species that grow in saline water with different tolerances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To effectively collect ecological data, one must first find a problem and state their _____ .

    <p>objectives</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of the A Horizon in the soil profile?

    <p>It contains a zone of translocation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Clay particles are the least important particles in the soil due to their small size.

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

    What is the pH range for maximum soil fertility?

    <p>6 to 7.2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The process of __________ is the downward movement of water through the soil, carrying nutrients.

    <p>translocation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which substance accumulates due to illuviation?

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

    Soil with a high concentration of H+ ions tends to be alkaline.

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

    Name one benefit of humus in soil.

    <p>Enhances soil's ability to hold moisture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the soil particle types with their size:

    <p>Sand = 2-0.06mm Silt = 0.06-0.002mm Clay = Less than 0.002mm Humus = Organic matter from decaying plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT one of the key rules regarding ecological data collection?

    <p>Ignore statistician (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do soil organisms like earthworms contribute to soil?

    <p>They redistribute minerals (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Statistical significance and biological significance refer to the same concept.

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

    The __________ horizon is the topmost layer composed of plants and humus.

    <p>O</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one reason why ecological data may be considered useless?

    <p>Data not collected at the right season.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The decomposition of organic matter into semi-soluble chemical substances is known as ______.

    <p>humus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms related to soil with their definitions:

    <p>Elevation = Movement of fine mineral particles out of the upper layer of soil Illuviation = Deposition of fine mineral particles in lower soil layers Organic activity = Influence of living organisms in soil development Humus = Organic matter decomposition into semi-soluble substances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of data can help save time and money in ecological studies?

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

    Mapping the movement of all killer whales on the Pacific coast is feasible with current technology.

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

    What is an example of a variable that may not be measured when assessing rabbit populations?

    <p>Predation by foxes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to ecological rules, if data is poorly collected, it is termed ______ in the phrase 'Garbage in, garbage out.'

    <p>poor data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In ecological studies, what does Rule 6 emphasize?

    <p>Measure the possible error for every estimate (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Habitat

    The place where an organism naturally lives.

    Ecosystem

    An ecosystem includes both living organisms and their non-living surroundings.

    Biome

    A large area of Earth with a similar climate, plants, and animals.

    Limiting Factor

    A factor that limits the growth and survival of a population.

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    Liebig's Law of the Minimum

    This law states that a plant's growth is limited by the nutrient that is present in the smallest amount.

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    Population

    A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.

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    Commensalism

    A relationship between two organisms where one benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefitted.

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    Hypervolume Niche

    The multidimensional space defined by all the environmental factors that influence a species' survival and reproduction.

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    Habitat Niche

    The specific portion of a habitat that a species occupies, characterized by its physical and biological features.

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    Trophic Niche

    The role a species plays in its ecosystem based on its food sources and how it interacts with other organisms.

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    Competitive Exclusion

    The principle that two species cannot occupy the same niche indefinitely. One species will outcompete the other, leading to the elimination or decline of one species.

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    Character Displacement

    The process by which two species become more distinct in their traits when they live in the same area, reducing competition for resources.

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    Allopatry

    Species living in different geographic regions.

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    Sympatry

    Species living in the same geographic area, potentially sharing the same habitat.

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    Divergence in Sympatry

    The difference in traits between closely related species that arises when they live in sympatry, potentially due to competition.

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    Convergence in Allopatry

    The similarity in traits between closely related species that arises when they live in allopatry, potentially due to similar environmental pressures.

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    Elevation

    The movement of fine mineral particles out of the upper layer of soil.

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    Illuviation

    The deposition of fine mineral particles in the lower soil layer.

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    Humus formation

    The process of decomposing organic matter by fungi, bacteria, earthworms, and insects into semi-soluble chemical substances.

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    Ecological Research Rules

    A set of rules for designing and conducting ecological research to ensure the validity, reliability, and efficiency of the study.

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    Impossible Ecological Question

    A question that is impossible to answer with current technology or resources.

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    Useless Ecological Data

    Ecological data that is collected at the wrong time, is not repeated, or is not relevant to the research question.

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    Good Ecological Data

    The importance of collecting data accurately and repeatedly to ensure its validity and reliability.

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    Ecological Data Coding

    The process of coding ecological data and entering it into a computer for analysis.

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    Garbage in, garbage out

    The concept that poor quality data will lead to inaccurate results and conclusions.

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    Statistical vs Biological Significance

    Statistical significance refers to the probability of observing a result if there is no true effect, while biological significance refers to the meaningfulness of the finding in relation to a particular biological system.

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    Soil Organism Redistribution

    Larger soil organisms like earthworms, beetles, and termites break down organic matter and move it within soil layers.

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    Binding of Organic Matter

    Organic matter binds with mineral particles, making it difficult to see the individual components in soil.

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    Humus Importance

    Humus is broken-down organic matter that improves soil properties.

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    Humus: Moisture Retention

    Humus helps the soil hold onto moisture.

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    Humus: Nutrient Retention

    Humus reduces the loss of soluble nutrients from the soil.

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    Humus: Soil Structure

    Humus improves the structure of the soil, making it better for plant growth.

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    Translocation

    The complete removal of substances from the soil through chemical processes.

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    Soil Texture

    Soil texture refers to the size and distribution of mineral particles in the soil.

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    Clay Particle Importance

    Clay particles are crucial for soil because they have a large surface area making them reactive, can attract nutrients, and are flexible

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    Soil pH

    The measure of acidity or alkalinity in the soil, affecting nutrient availability.

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    What are Geobionts?

    Soil organisms that spend their entire life cycle in the soil and cannot survive outside of it.

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    Define Periodical Geophilic Organisms

    Organisms that spend a part of their life cycle in the soil, typically as larvae, and may return to the soil later for activities like laying eggs.

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    What are Temporary Active Geophilic Organisms?

    Organisms that live in the soil for a significant part of their life cycle (one or more developmental stages) and emerge as adults, often with larval and pupal stages being crucial in the soil.

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    How do microarthropods adapt to soil life?

    The reduction in body size, appendages, and pigmentation, as well as the presence of chemo and hygroreceptors across the body are adaptations that help microarthropods survive in the soil.

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    Why are Collembolans significant in soil ecosystems?

    Collembolans are an important group of soil microarthropods because of their species diversity, abundance, and value as indicators of soil health.

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    Study Notes

    Life Organization

    • An organism is a dynamic unit affected by changing environments.
    • The environment includes microenvironments (local surroundings) and macroenvironments (overall physical and biotic conditions).
    • The ecosphere/biosphere is a thin layer of living material around the Earth.
    • A habitat is the place where a specific organism is usually found.
    • The biosphere is the entire area of the Earth containing life.
    • Biotope is the basic unit of the biosphere.
    • Biotopes group together to form biocycles, biospheres, and biochores.
    • Ecosystems include living and non-living components.
    • Biospheres are divided into marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats.

    Structure Aspects of Ecosystem

    • Descriptions of organization.
    • Identification of species types and numbers.

    Functional Aspects of Ecosystem

    • Energy flow.
    • Nutrient cycling.
    • Different habitats are included in the non-living components of an ecosystem.

    Abiotic Factors of the Ecosystem

    • Climate: Solar radiation, temperature, wind, rainfall, and fire.
    • Physical: Light and pressure.
    • Chemical: Acidity and salinity.

    Biotic Factors of the Ecosystem

    • These are the living organisms.
    • Competition: Organisms compete for resources.
    • Neutralism: No interaction between species.
    • Commensalism: One species benefits, the other is unaffected.
    • Parasitism: One species benefits at the expense of another.
    • Predation: One species hunts and eats another.
    • Amensalism: One species harms or inhibits another without benefit.

    Limiting Factors

    • Factors affecting organism growth and survival.
    • Liebig's Law of the Minimum: Plant growth depends on the scarcest resource.

    Population and Community

    • Population: Group of individuals of the same species.
    • Community: Group of different populations interacting in the same area.

    Biotic Potential and Environmental Resistance

    • Biotic potential is the ability of a population to increase under ideal conditions.
    • Environmental resistance is the factors that limit population growth.
    • Balance of nature is the interaction between biotic potential and environmental resistance.

    Shelford's Law of Tolerance

    • Organisms have tolerance ranges (minimum and maximum) for environmental factors.
    • Steno: Narrow tolerance range.
    • Eury: Wide tolerance range.

    Two Principles to add to the Law

    • Application to the law under constant conditions.
    • Factor interaction where other factors influence the rate of growth.

    Ecological Niche

    • The functional role of an organism in a community.
    • Types include trophic position, position in environmental gradients (like temperature and moisture), and spatial niche.

    Niche Overlap

    • Two species may occupy overlapping niches.
    • Competition occurs when niches overlap.

    Character Displacement

    • Species diverge in characteristics when they share a habitat.
    • Divergence in similar environments reduces competition.
    • Convergence if species are separated in space reduces competition.

    Soil Biology

    • Study of microbial and faunal activities in soil.
    • Soil life, biota, fauna are significant and include many organisms.
    • Soil invertebrates are classified by size (microfauna, mesofauna, macrofauna, megafauna)
    • Microflora (bacteria, fungi) are also part of the soil.
    • Soil organisms have specific roles, some are temporary, others are part of their life-cycle and others are permanent (Geobionts)
    • Soil organisms have varying functions (soil aeration, nutrient cycling, and organic matter degradation).
    • Soil factors influencing soil community are food availability and diversity of micro-habitats

    Soil Factors, Soil Fauna diversity and health

    • Important factors (agriculture, land-use factors, urbanization, habitat destruction) affect soil diversity.
    • Strategies for improved soil health like decreasing bulk density, increasing soil pore space and increasing water holding capacity.

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