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Questions and Answers
Niche partitioning helps species coexist by allowing them to adapt to utilize the same resources differently, which reduces __________.
Niche partitioning helps species coexist by allowing them to adapt to utilize the same resources differently, which reduces __________.
competition
An ecological refuge is a place where an organism is protected from __________.
An ecological refuge is a place where an organism is protected from __________.
predation
Exploitative interactions occur when one species benefits while harming another, which can include predation, herbivory, and __________.
Exploitative interactions occur when one species benefits while harming another, which can include predation, herbivory, and __________.
parasitism
Symbiosis can be beneficial or harmful for the involved species and includes relationships like parasitism, __________, and mutualism.
Symbiosis can be beneficial or harmful for the involved species and includes relationships like parasitism, __________, and mutualism.
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In a food web, primary producers are at the base and are known as __________ because they make their own food.
In a food web, primary producers are at the base and are known as __________ because they make their own food.
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Photoautotrophs derive energy from __________, while chemoautotrophs derive energy from chemical compounds.
Photoautotrophs derive energy from __________, while chemoautotrophs derive energy from chemical compounds.
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Trophic levels describe an organism's position in the food web, with primary producers at the __________.
Trophic levels describe an organism's position in the food web, with primary producers at the __________.
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The nitrogen cycle is essential for creating __________, which are the building blocks of life.
The nitrogen cycle is essential for creating __________, which are the building blocks of life.
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The climax community is reached when resident species no longer facilitate further ______.
The climax community is reached when resident species no longer facilitate further ______.
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Successful species are those with life histories and environmental tolerances that allow them to ______.
Successful species are those with life histories and environmental tolerances that allow them to ______.
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Inhibition occurs when early occupants modify the environment, making it less suitable for all ______.
Inhibition occurs when early occupants modify the environment, making it less suitable for all ______.
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Stability can also result from ______, the ability to maintain structure and function in the face of disturbance.
Stability can also result from ______, the ability to maintain structure and function in the face of disturbance.
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Resilience is the ability to ______ from disturbance.
Resilience is the ability to ______ from disturbance.
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Ecological restoration aims to restore damaged ecosystems to acceptable levels of ______, physical structure, and functioning.
Ecological restoration aims to restore damaged ecosystems to acceptable levels of ______, physical structure, and functioning.
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Restoration involves manipulating ______ to achieve some predetermined goal.
Restoration involves manipulating ______ to achieve some predetermined goal.
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Adding forest floor litter and seeds to bauxite mining tailings promoted succession by increasing plant growth, leaf area, and species ______.
Adding forest floor litter and seeds to bauxite mining tailings promoted succession by increasing plant growth, leaf area, and species ______.
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Butterfly population size increased with patch area, while population density decreased in isolated ______.
Butterfly population size increased with patch area, while population density decreased in isolated ______.
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Habitat ______ connect isolated habitat fragments to facilitate organism movement.
Habitat ______ connect isolated habitat fragments to facilitate organism movement.
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Lakes that received less groundwater experienced larger drops in water ______.
Lakes that received less groundwater experienced larger drops in water ______.
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Geological processes such as volcanism, sedimentation, erosion, and ______ shape landscape structure.
Geological processes such as volcanism, sedimentation, erosion, and ______ shape landscape structure.
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The last glacial ______ occurred about 20,000-22,000 years ago and significantly shaped the landscape.
The last glacial ______ occurred about 20,000-22,000 years ago and significantly shaped the landscape.
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Ecosystem engineers are organisms that significantly influence the ______ of landscapes.
Ecosystem engineers are organisms that significantly influence the ______ of landscapes.
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Beavers are known for their ability to create wetland habitats by ______ trees and building dams.
Beavers are known for their ability to create wetland habitats by ______ trees and building dams.
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Primary succession occurs on newly exposed, barren areas, while secondary succession happens after a ______ that does not destroy the soil.
Primary succession occurs on newly exposed, barren areas, while secondary succession happens after a ______ that does not destroy the soil.
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The pioneer community comprises the first organisms to ______ following a disturbance.
The pioneer community comprises the first organisms to ______ following a disturbance.
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Species interaction-driven succession predicts a highly ______ climax community composition.
Species interaction-driven succession predicts a highly ______ climax community composition.
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Connell and Slatyer proposed three models of ______: facilitation, inhibition, and tolerance.
Connell and Slatyer proposed three models of ______: facilitation, inhibition, and tolerance.
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Research on Glacier Bay showed increases in ______ depth and nitrogen from the pioneer community to the spruce stage.
Research on Glacier Bay showed increases in ______ depth and nitrogen from the pioneer community to the spruce stage.
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In Sycamore Creek, disturbances followed by rapid succession lead to changes in the diversity and composition of ______ and invertebrates.
In Sycamore Creek, disturbances followed by rapid succession lead to changes in the diversity and composition of ______ and invertebrates.
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Clements emphasized ______, where early colonizing species modify the environment for later species.
Clements emphasized ______, where early colonizing species modify the environment for later species.
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Inorganic nitrogen is primarily found as ______ in the atmosphere.
Inorganic nitrogen is primarily found as ______ in the atmosphere.
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Nitrogen fixation typically produces ______ or ammonium (NH4+).
Nitrogen fixation typically produces ______ or ammonium (NH4+).
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______ is essential for DNA and ATP molecules.
______ is essential for DNA and ATP molecules.
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The Redfield ratio is the globally observed [blank: N:P] ratio in the deep ocean.
The Redfield ratio is the globally observed [blank: N:P] ratio in the deep ocean.
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Cyanobacteria dominate over larger phytoplankton when nutrient supply is ______.
Cyanobacteria dominate over larger phytoplankton when nutrient supply is ______.
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The ______ of plankton is the observation of high taxonomic diversity despite competition for nutrients.
The ______ of plankton is the observation of high taxonomic diversity despite competition for nutrients.
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Nutrient spiraling describes how ______ move through stream ecosystems.
Nutrient spiraling describes how ______ move through stream ecosystems.
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Species diversity is measured by two metrics: species richness and ______.
Species diversity is measured by two metrics: species richness and ______.
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Disturbances can ______ high biodiversity by altering community structure.
Disturbances can ______ high biodiversity by altering community structure.
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In landscape ecology, a ______ is a homogenous area of land distinct from others.
In landscape ecology, a ______ is a homogenous area of land distinct from others.
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Ecotones often have higher ______ due to their transitional nature.
Ecotones often have higher ______ due to their transitional nature.
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Species-area relation is the quantitative relationship between habitat area and species ______.
Species-area relation is the quantitative relationship between habitat area and species ______.
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Islands provide a good opportunity to study species-area relationships due to their defined ______.
Islands provide a good opportunity to study species-area relationships due to their defined ______.
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Williamson's study showed that bird and pteridophyte ______ increased with increasing island area.
Williamson's study showed that bird and pteridophyte ______ increased with increasing island area.
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The equilibrium model of island biogeography suggests that species composition is a balance of ______ and extinction.
The equilibrium model of island biogeography suggests that species composition is a balance of ______ and extinction.
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Increased species number increases the potential for competitive ______.
Increased species number increases the potential for competitive ______.
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Species number is determined by the intersection of immigration and ______ curves.
Species number is determined by the intersection of immigration and ______ curves.
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Immigration rate is primarily determined by the distance from the source of ______.
Immigration rate is primarily determined by the distance from the source of ______.
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Extinction rate is mainly determined by island ______.
Extinction rate is mainly determined by island ______.
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Species turnover refers to the dynamic changes in species ______ on islands.
Species turnover refers to the dynamic changes in species ______ on islands.
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Simberloff and Wilson conducted studies on insect recolonization in the Florida ______.
Simberloff and Wilson conducted studies on insect recolonization in the Florida ______.
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Species richness generally increases from middle and high latitudes to the ______.
Species richness generally increases from middle and high latitudes to the ______.
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The hypothesis of 'Time since perturbation' suggests the tropics have more species due to being ______ and less frequently disturbed.
The hypothesis of 'Time since perturbation' suggests the tropics have more species due to being ______ and less frequently disturbed.
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High productivity, especially in equatorial rainforests, is linked to ______ species richness.
High productivity, especially in equatorial rainforests, is linked to ______ species richness.
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Ecotones are the physical and biological transitions between ______.
Ecotones are the physical and biological transitions between ______.
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Landscape ecology is the study of the relationship between landscape structures and ecological ______.
Landscape ecology is the study of the relationship between landscape structures and ecological ______.
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The edge effect refers to higher biodiversity found at the edges of ______.
The edge effect refers to higher biodiversity found at the edges of ______.
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Landscape processes can affect the movement of organisms, particularly in ______ dynamics.
Landscape processes can affect the movement of organisms, particularly in ______ dynamics.
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Landscape structure is defined by the size, shape, composition, number, and position of ______.
Landscape structure is defined by the size, shape, composition, number, and position of ______.
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Fractal geometry of landscapes indicates that perimeter estimates depend on the scale of ______.
Fractal geometry of landscapes indicates that perimeter estimates depend on the scale of ______.
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Study Notes
General Concepts
- Niche Partitioning: Species needing the same resources evolve to use them differently, reducing competition and allowing coexistence. MacArthur's warbler study (1955) illustrated this.
- Ecological Refuge: A safe haven for an organism, protecting it from predators. A rabbit's burrow is an example.
Species Interactions
- Exploitative Interactions: One species benefits at the other's expense, increasing one organism's fitness and decreasing the other's. Predation, herbivory, and parasitism are examples.
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Symbiosis: Close, long-term associations between different species. Can be positive, negative, or neutral for each participant.
- Parasitism (+/-): One species benefits, harming the other. Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, invertebrates) are parasites causing disease.
- Commensalism (+/0): One species benefits, the other is neither harmed nor helped.
- Mutualism (+/+): Both species benefit.
Food Webs and Trophic Levels
- Food Webs: Visual representations of feeding relationships in an ecosystem, illustrating the flow of energy.
- Primary Producers: Autotrophs (self-feeding organisms) forming the base of food webs. They create their own food from inorganic sources, either through photosynthesis (photoautotrophs) or chemosynthesis (chemoautotrophs).
- Secondary Producers: Organisms that consume other organisms for energy/biomass; humans are included.
- Trophic Levels: Hierarchical positions in a food web, relative to primary producers. Often shown as a pyramid.
Nutrient Cycling
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Nutrient Cycles: Essential for life; the continuous movement of key elements in ecosystems.
- Nitrogen (N): Crucial for amino acids. Inorganic nitrogen (N2) from the atmosphere must be converted into an organic form (nitrogen fixation), often creating ammonia (NH3) or ammonium (NH4+).
- Phosphorus (P): Essential for DNA and ATP. Primarily found in rocks, released through weathering.
- Carbon (C): The foundation of life, found as carbon dioxide (CO2) and bicarbonate in water. Autotrophs convert it into biomass.
- Redfield Ratio: A 16:1 ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus in deep ocean waters. Deviations signal a limiting nutrient (nitrogen or phosphorus).
- Nutrient Cycling Efficiency: Low nutrient levels favor fast-growing cyanobacteria over larger phytoplankton, leading to more efficient nutrient cycling.
Species Diversity and Community Structure
- Community: Multiple species in the same area.
- Population: Members of a single species in a given area.
- Species Diversity: Measured by richness (total number of species) and evenness (distribution of species abundance).
- Species Diversity and Nutrient Levels: Higher nutrient levels don't always mean higher biodiversity. Excessive nutrients can favor a few primary producer species.
- Disturbances: Events altering ecosystems. Disturbances can boost biodiversity by altering physical and biological factors (temperature, moisture, nutrient availability; population shifts, predation).
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Succession: The predictable change in plant, animal, and microbial communities over time following a disturbance or habitat creation.
- Pioneer Community: Initial colonizers after disturbance.
- Climax Community: Stable, persistent community.
Landscape Ecology
- Landscape Ecology: Study of relationships between landscape structures (patches, ecotones) and ecological processes.
- Patch: Homogenous, distinct area of land.
- Ecotone: Transition zone between patches often exhibiting high biodiversity (edge effect).
- Landscape Structure: Determined by patch size, shape, composition, number, and arrangement.
- Matrix: The most extensive and continuous part of the landscape.
Geographic Ecology
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Geographic Ecology: Mapping patterns of life, similar to landscape ecology but on a larger scale.
- Key Topics: Species-area relationships, latitudinal gradients in species richness, island biogeography.
Area, Isolation, and Species Richness
- Species-Area Relationship: A quantitative link between habitat area and species richness. Shows how larger areas tend to have more species.
- Islands: Ideal for studying species-area relationships due to their defined boundaries.
- Lakes as Islands Lakes often follow the same area-species relationship.
Equilibrium Model of Island Biogeography
- Equilibrium: The species number on an island settles when immigration and extinction rates balance.
- Immigration Rate: Highest initially; decreases as species accumulate.
- Extinction Rate: Increases with species number due to competition and potential for larger extinction events.
- Island Size and Distance: Larger, closer islands hold more species.
Species Turnover
- Species Turnover: Dynamic species composition on islands; species changing over time.
Experimental Island Biogeography
- Simberloff & Wilson: Florida Keys studies showed species composition changes, but species numbers remain consistent on control islands. Defaunated islands regrew to near original species levels, although with different compositions.
Latitudinal Gradients in Species Richness
- Latitudinal Gradients: Richer species abundance near the equator.
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Hypotheses: Several hypotheses attempt to explain the latitudinal gradient, including
- Time since disturbance
- Productivity
- Environmental heterogeneity
- Favorableness of environments
- Niche breadth and interspecific interactions.
Ecosystem Engineers
- Ecosystem Engineers: Organisms that significantly alter landscapes, ecosystems, or communities. Humans are a prime example, as well as many animals (ex. beavers, elephants, kangaroos, alligators).
Succession and Stability
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Succession: The change in communities over time.
- Primary Succession: On barren ground
- Secondary Succession: Following a disturbance that does not remove the soil
- Climax Community: Long-term community.
- Succession Perspectives: Species interactions, independent species distributions.
- Stability: Resistance (maintain structure in face of disturbance), Resilience (recover from disturbance).
Ecological Restoration
- Ecological Restoration: Restoring damaged ecosystems to function more like their previous state. Restoration can mimic succession processes to achieve specific goals.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your understanding of key ecological concepts such as niche partitioning, species interactions, and food webs. This quiz covers essential terms and relationships that shape ecosystems, highlighting the dynamics between different species. Perfect for students studying ecology.
