Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best exemplifies primary succession?
Which of the following best exemplifies primary succession?
- The development of a plant community in a fallow agricultural field.
- The regrowth of a forest after a wildfire.
- The colonization of a newly formed volcanic island by pioneer species. (correct)
- The recovery of a coral reef after a bleaching event.
In a food web, only about 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next. What is the primary reason for this low energy transfer efficiency?
In a food web, only about 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next. What is the primary reason for this low energy transfer efficiency?
- A large portion of the energy is consumed by decomposers.
- The majority of energy is stored within indigestible components of organisms.
- Energy is lost as heat during metabolic processes at each trophic level. (correct)
- Most of the energy is converted into biomass at each trophic level.
How would the removal of a keystone species from an ecosystem most likely affect the community?
How would the removal of a keystone species from an ecosystem most likely affect the community?
- The ecosystem would experience an increase in species richness.
- The ecosystem would shift to a new climax community more rapidly.
- The ecosystem would undergo significant changes in structure and potentially a loss of biodiversity. (correct)
- The ecosystem would remain relatively stable as other species fill the vacant niche.
A forest ecosystem has high species richness but low species evenness. What does this suggest about the community?
A forest ecosystem has high species richness but low species evenness. What does this suggest about the community?
Which of the following accurately describes the relationship between gross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP)?
Which of the following accurately describes the relationship between gross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP)?
What is a primary role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?
What is a primary role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?
How does deforestation primarily contribute to climate change?
How does deforestation primarily contribute to climate change?
Which of the following is an example of a trophic cascade?
Which of the following is an example of a trophic cascade?
What is the main purpose of wildlife corridors in conservation efforts?
What is the main purpose of wildlife corridors in conservation efforts?
What is the role of nitrogen fixation in the nitrogen cycle?
What is the role of nitrogen fixation in the nitrogen cycle?
Flashcards
Primary Succession
Primary Succession
Occurs on new land, like volcanic rock or sand dunes, where pioneer species such as lichens and mosses play a crucial role.
Secondary Succession
Secondary Succession
Happens in areas disturbed after previous life existed. Soil is already present, allowing for faster recovery.
Climax Community
Climax Community
A stable ecosystem that remains in equilibrium unless disrupted by an external force.
Trophic Levels
Trophic Levels
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Keystone Species
Keystone Species
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Trophic Cascades
Trophic Cascades
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Species Richness
Species Richness
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Species Evenness
Species Evenness
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Biodiversity Hotspots
Biodiversity Hotspots
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Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)
Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)
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Study Notes
- Study Guide for Ecology Exam
Community Ecology
Succession
- Primary Succession: Occurs on new land (e.g., volcanic rock, bare rock, sand dunes).
- Pioneer species like lichens and mosses play a crucial role.
- Secondary Succession: Occurs in areas where life previously existed but was disturbed (e.g., forest fires, fallow fields, wind throw, landslide, tree fall).
- Soil is already present in secondary succession, which allows for faster recovery.
- Climax Community: A stable ecosystem that remains in equilibrium unless disrupted by an external force.
Food Webs
- Trophic Levels include primary producers (plants, algae), primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores), tertiary consumers, and quaternary consumers.
- Energy Flow: Energy moves through trophic levels.
- Only about 10% of energy is transferred from one level to the next, due to metabolic losses.
- Keystone Species: Ecosystem engineers that modify the ecosystem (e.g., sea otters controlling sea urchin populations).
- Trophic Cascades: Changes at one trophic level affecting multiple levels (e.g., removal of predators leading to herbivore overpopulation).
Measuring Species Diversity
- Species Richness: Number of species in a given area.
- Species Evenness: The relative abundance of each species in a community.
- Shannon Diversity Index: Combines both species richness and relative abundance into one number.
- Biodiversity Hotspots: Areas with high species richness and endemism (e.g., Amazon Rainforest, Coral Triangle).
Ecosystem Ecology
- Energy Flow: Primary production (gross and net), energy transfer efficiency, food chains vs. food webs.
- Nutrient Cycles:
- Carbon Cycle: Photosynthesis, respiration, fossil fuel combustion.
- Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen fixation, ammonification, nitrification, denitrification.
- Ecosystem Productivity:
- Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): Total energy captured by producers.
- Net Primary Productivity (NPP): Energy available after respiration (GPP - respiration).
- GPP-R=NPP
Global Ecology
- Climate Change: Greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O) and their role in global warming.
- Biogeochemical Cycles: Human impacts on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles.
- Deforestation and Habitat Destruction: Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- Conservation Strategies:
- Protected Areas (National Parks, Marine Reserves).
- Wildlife Corridors: Connecting fragmented habitats.
- Sustainable Resource Management: Deforestation control, fishing quotas.
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