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Questions and Answers
What does species diversity refer to in an ecosystem?
Which type of species serves as an early warning system for ecosystem health?
What is the primary role of keystone species in a community?
What defines a community in ecological terms?
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Which of the following best describes foundation species?
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Which of the following best describes biotic components in an ecosystem?
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What type of ecosystem is characterized by both freshwater and marine environments?
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How do chemical components differ from physical components in an ecosystem?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the role of a predator in an ecosystem?
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What is the primary distinction between a habitat and an environment?
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Study Notes
Ecology Definition
- Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.
Species
- Organisms are classified into different species based on their characteristics.
- Species are the basic unit of biological classification.
Species Diversity
- Species richness: The number of different species in a community.
- Species evenness: The relative abundance of individuals within each species.
Indicator Species
- These species act as early warning signs of environmental damage.
- For example, trout are sensitive to changes in water quality and can indicate pollution.
Keystone Species
- Keystone species play a crucial role in maintaining the structure and function of an ecosystem.
- Their removal can cause significant changes in community composition.
Foundation Species
- These species create habitats that benefit other species.
- Elephants, for instance, create forest openings by uprooting trees, benefiting other species.
Population
- A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area.
Community
- All the populations of different species living and interacting in an area.
Ecosystem
- A community of different species interacting with each other and the non-living environment.
Ecosystem Components
- Biotic components: Living organisms, including producers, consumers, and decomposers.
- Abiotic components: Non-living factors, such as climate, soil, water, air, and energy.
Types of Ecosystems
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Natural ecosystems:
- Terrestrial ecosystems: Land-based ecosystems (e.g., forests, grasslands, deserts).
- Aquatic ecosystems: Water-based ecosystems (e.g., rivers, lakes, oceans).
- Man-made ecosystems: Artificial ecosystems created or maintained by humans (e.g., croplands, gardens).
Habitat
- The physical environment where an organism lives.
Niche
- The total way of life of a species in an ecosystem, including its role and interactions.
Predator-Prey Interactions
- Predator: An organism that hunts and kills other animals for food.
- Prey: An organism that is hunted and killed by another organism for food.
Tragedy of the Commons
- Overexploitation of shared resources due to individual self-interest, leading to depletion of the resource.
Carrying Capacity
- The maximum population size that a habitat can support over time.
Consumers
- Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms or their remains.
- Herbivores: Eat producers (plants).
- Carnivores: Eat other consumers (animals).
- Omnivores: Eat both plants and animals.
Producers
- Organisms that manufacture their own food using energy from the sun (plants) or chemical energy (some bacteria).
Decomposers
- Organisms that break down dead organisms and waste products, recycling nutrients in the ecosystem.
Food Webs and Chains
- Food chains and food webs illustrate the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem.
- Arrows point from the organism consumed (prey) to the organism that consumes it (predator).
Trophic Levels
- Different levels of energy flow in a food web.
- First trophic level: Producers.
- Second trophic level: Primary consumers.
- Third trophic level: Secondary consumers.
- Fourth trophic level: Tertiary consumers.
Energy Flow
- Energy is lost at each trophic level due to the second law of thermodynamics.
- Ecological efficiency: Percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next.
Biomass
- The dry weight of organisms, representing the chemical energy stored at each trophic level.
Biodiversity
- The variety of life on Earth.
- Genetic diversity: Variation within a single species.
- Species diversity: Variety of species in different habitats.
Importance of Biodiversity
- Provides essential ecosystem services, such as food, wood, energy, and pollution control.
- Contributes to a healthy and resilient ecosystem.
Succession
- The gradual process of change in the species composition of a community over time.
- Primary succession: Begins in a lifeless area with no soil (e.g., bare rock).
- Secondary succession: Occurs in areas where the existing community has been disturbed but soil remains.
Pioneer Communities
- First species to colonize a barren area, such as lichens and mosses.
Climax Communities
- The final, stable stage of succession, dominated by a few long-lived species.
Types of Species
- Native species: Indigenous to a particular area.
- Nonnative/Introduced species: Species that are introduced, intentionally or accidentally, from another area.
- Invasive species: Nonnative species that spread rapidly and can have negative impacts on the ecosystem.
Threats to Biodiversity
- Habitat loss: Destruction or fragmentation of habitats.
- Pollution: Contamination of air, water, and soil.
- Overhunting: Excessive hunting or fishing that can lead to population decline.
Habitat Restoration and Reclamation
- Efforts to rebuild damaged habitats and ecosystems.
- Reclamation involves restoring vegetation to areas that have been mined or otherwise disturbed.
Agriculture
- Human activities, such as deforestation and monoculture agriculture, can contribute to habitat loss and biodiversity decline.
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Description
This quiz covers key concepts in ecology, including definitions of ecology, species classification, and the roles of different species in ecosystems. You'll explore important topics like species richness, keystone species, and indicator species to understand their significance in environmental health.
