Ecology: Karner Blue Butterfly and Ant Relationships
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Questions and Answers

What type of relationship do Karner blue butterfly larvae and ants have?

  • Mutualism (correct)
  • Parasitism
  • Competition
  • Predation

    • What is the main benefit that ants provide to Karner blue butterfly larvae?

  • Shelter
  • Food
  • Pollination
  • Protection from predators (correct)

    • What do Karner blue butterfly larvae secrete to attract ants?

  • Hormones
  • Pheromones (correct)
  • Toxins
  • Nectar

    • What abiotic factor is specifically mentioned as influencing the distribution of plants in the oak-pine barren habitat?

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

    Which of the following is NOT an example of an abiotic factor?

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

    Why is the study of interactions between different species important for ecological understanding?

    <p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe the study of the geographic distribution of living things?

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

    Which of the following is NOT an example of a heterospecific interaction?

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

    What is the primary focus of ecosystem ecology?

    <p>The flow of energy and nutrients within a community (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a biotic component of an ecosystem?

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

    How can understanding ecological issues benefit human society?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of an ecologist in managing natural resources?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main advantage that the ants provide to the Karner blue butterfly larvae, according to the text?

    <p>Increased chances of survival (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main types of components in an ecosystem?

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

    Which of the following best describes the relationship between abiotic factors and biomes?

    <p>Abiotic factors influence the types of organisms found in specific biomes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do ecologists play in educating the public?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following biomes is characterized by high net primary productivity and high species diversity?

    <p>Tropical Wet Forest (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason why tropical wet forests have high species diversity?

    <p>High net primary productivity and extensive biomass (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do tropical wet forest trees differ from trees in deciduous forests?

    <p>Tropical wet forest trees do not lose their leaves seasonally (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the factors responsible for the high rate of photosynthesis in tropical wet forests?

    <p>Availability of sufficient water (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary benefit of warm and wet climates for plant growth?

    <p>Higher rates of photosynthesis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the variation in rainfall in tropical wet forests?

    <p>It helps to maintain the diversity of plant species (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is FALSE about tropical wet forests?

    <p>They have long days and short nights during the year (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an epiphyte?

    <p>An organism that lives on another plant for support (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of tropical wet forests?

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

    What is an example of an abiotic factor that influences the distribution of biomes?

    <p>The amount of precipitation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do dry and cold environments affect the level of biomass?

    <p>They decrease the rate of photosynthesis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between aboveground biomass and the abiotic components of the environment?

    <p>Aboveground biomass is directly proportional to abiotic components (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a biome?

    <p>Uniform distribution across the globe (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these statements about biomes is FALSE?

    <p>Boreal forests are dominated by deciduous trees (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which two major abiotic factors determine terrestrial biomes?

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

    What is the relationship between the aboveground biomass of a biome and the resources available for other living things?

    <p>The higher the aboveground biomass, the more resources available for other living things (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between weather and climate?

    <p>Weather is a short-term condition, while climate is a long-term pattern. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If you were planning an outdoor event in northern Wisconsin, why would you choose a date in the summer rather than winter?

    <p>The average temperature in Wisconsin is higher in the summer than in the winter. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it difficult to accurately predict the weather on a specific day, even though we understand the general climate of a region?

    <p>Weather patterns are constantly changing and influenced by many complex factors. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term "long-range weather forecasts" refer to?

    <p>Weather forecasts that extend beyond 48 hours, typically up to a week or more. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of climate?

    <p>It represents average weather patterns over extended periods. (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of energy for the majority of organisms in the aphotic zone?

    <p>Detritus from the photic zone (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason for the high nutrient content in the benthic realm?

    <p>Decomposition of dead organisms (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the symbiotic relationship between coral organisms and photosynthetic algae?

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

    What is the main threat to the long-term survival of coral reefs?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of energy for the food chain in the abyssal zone?

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

    What is the correct order of ocean zones from the surface to the deepest region?

    <p>Pelagic, Benthic, Abyssal (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a feature of the abyssal zone?

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

    Which of the following organisms is NOT found in the benthic realm?

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

    What is a primary difference between the photic and aphotic zones in the ocean?

    <p>The presence of photosynthetic organisms (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason for the scarcity of nutrients in the oceanic zone?

    <p>The limited amount of upwelling currents (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the death of photosynthetic organisms and the protists and animals that feed on them contribute to the nutrient content of the benthic realm?

    <p>Their bodies decompose and release nutrients (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Humboldt Current?

    <p>It brings nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what ways does the ocean differ from a freshwater lake?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the calcium carbonate skeletons secreted by coral polyps?

    <p>They form the physical structure of coral reefs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the stinging cells (cnidocytes) found on the tentacles of some corals?

    <p>To capture prey (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are coral reefs considered important to the health of the ocean?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which abiotic factor is most critical in freshwater systems?

    <p>Stratification due to density differences (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What depth is generally considered to be the boundary of the photic zone in the ocean?

    <p>200 m (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which of the following zones would you find organisms capable of photosynthesis?

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

    What defines the pelagic realm of the ocean?

    <p>Open water away from the shore (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major consequence of waves in the intertidal zone?

    <p>Desiccation of organisms (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does phytoplankton play in the neritic zone?

    <p>Being the primary producers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes deserts as you travel north around 30 degrees latitude?

    <p>Low precipitation and high insolation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which zone would likely have the least light penetration?

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

    Which type of forest comes after grasslands when traveling north?

    <p>Deciduous temperate forest (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of biome forms in estuaries where salt and fresh water mix?

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

    Which of the following is NOT true about the intertidal zone?

    <p>It is always underwater. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining characteristic of endemic species?

    <p>They exist only in specific geographic locations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much of Australia's living plant and mammal species are estimated to be endemic?

    <p>Approximately 75% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ocean zone includes the deepest parts of the ocean?

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

    Which ecosystem feature can lead to unique patterns of species distribution?

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

    Why are organisms in the intertidal zone particularly well-adapted?

    <p>They withstand drying out and wave action. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factors influence marine ecosystems more than freshwater ecosystems?

    <p>Water salinity and density (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant environmental factor that influences species adaptations in photosynthesizers?

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

    What advantage do spring ephemeral plants have in temperate forests?

    <p>Rapid growth before leafing out of canopy trees (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the layered structure of varying temperatures in a body of water?

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

    Where are coral reefs primarily found?

    <p>In shallow coastal waters (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What typically happens when sunlight penetrates a body of water?

    <p>Most wavelengths are absorbed quickly. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which mammal is endemic to Hawaii?

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

    Plants that are adapted to surviving without light typically inhabit which environment?

    <p>Abyssal zones of oceans (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact does the Gulf Stream have on ecosystems?

    <p>It alters temperature and moisture availability. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for the specific adaptations of vegetation in the understory of a forest?

    <p>Competition for light availability in the canopy (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason animals migrate?

    <p>To find food and suitable breeding conditions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the metabolic state that animals enter during hibernation or estivation?

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

    Which species is noted for being a generalist and adapting to various geographic areas?

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

    How do amphibians like the wood frog survive freezing temperatures?

    <p>By using antifreeze-like chemicals in their cells (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do isolated land masses typically affect species diversity?

    <p>They increase numbers of endemic species. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do inorganic nutrients play in ecosystems?

    <p>They determine the distribution and abundance of living things (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant abiotic factor that influences aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>Temperature of the water (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining characteristic of savannas?

    <p>They experience extensive dry seasons. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which adaptation do marine organisms have to maintain solute concentrations?

    <p>Sneeze out high salt water vapor (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does NOT directly affect plant growth?

    <p>Color of the leaves (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily influences the vegetation in subtropical deserts?

    <p>Low and unpredictable precipitation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature is characteristic of chaparral biomes?

    <p>Plant species that require fire for seed germination. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must terrestrial organisms do to retain water?

    <p>Develop adaptations to decrease water loss (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does fire play in temperate grasslands?

    <p>It helps maintain grass populations by suppressing tree growth. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of high temperatures on dissolved oxygen levels in water?

    <p>Decreases dissolved oxygen concentrations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of climate is primarily found in savannas?

    <p>Tropical and hot. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do plants acquire inorganic nutrients necessary for their growth?

    <p>Via water absorbed by roots (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does net primary productivity measure in a given area?

    <p>The amount of carbon fixed minus that oxidized (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What adaptations do desert plants exhibit to conserve water?

    <p>Deep root systems and reduced foliage. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where are temperate forests most commonly found?

    <p>Mid-latitude regions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a significant terrestrial factor affecting ecosystems?

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

    What is the average annual rainfall in savannas?

    <p>10–40 cm. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which tree species requires fire for its seed cones to open?

    <p>Jack pine (Pinus banksiana) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of migration pattern is commonly observed in reindeer?

    <p>Seasonal migration to lower elevations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes temperature extremes in subtropical deserts?

    <p>Lack of humidity and atmospheric water. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary consequence of fire suppression in temperate grasslands?

    <p>Conversion of grasslands to forests. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term best describes the characteristic vegetation of temperate grasslands?

    <p>Dominantly grasses. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do plants in the chaparral remain dormant during the summer?

    <p>To conserve energy during dry conditions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary vegetation type found in tropical wet forests?

    <p>High density of varied species. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of precipitation pattern do subtropical deserts typically exhibit?

    <p>Infrequent and unpredictable rainfall. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason some bacteria extract energy from inorganic chemicals in environments like hydrothermal vents?

    <p>There is no light available for photosynthesis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process is triggered when prevailing winds blow offshore, allowing nutrients from the ocean bottom to rise to the surface?

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

    During what seasonal events are nutrients and oxygen recycled in freshwater lakes?

    <p>Spring and fall turnover (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the water at the bottom of lakes during winter when the surface is frozen?

    <p>It remains warmer than the surface water. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do organisms in tropical lakes experience different turnover compared to temperate lakes?

    <p>Tropical lakes do not have ice layers. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does temperature influence biochemical processes in organisms?

    <p>Enzymes function best within a narrow temperature range. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ecological challenge do animals face due to temperature fluctuations?

    <p>Locating food sources (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ecological term describes the regular movement of animals from one place to another to survive temperature fluctuations?

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

    How do extremophile bacteria adapt to survive in extremely hot environments, such as geysers?

    <p>Their enzymes have adapted to function at higher temperatures. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon primarily causes the sinking of dead organisms in aquatic systems?

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

    Why is water densest at about 4 °C?

    <p>Hydrogen bonding allows for maximum packing of water molecules. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main role of ocean upwelling in marine ecosystems?

    <p>To bring nutrients up for reuse by living organisms (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does ice cover have on oxygen levels at the bottom of lakes during winter?

    <p>It prevents oxygen diffusion from the surface. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of spring turnover in freshwater lakes?

    <p>To recycle nutrients and oxygen from the bottom to the surface (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical temperature range for temperate forests?

    <p>-30 °C to 30 °C (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major type of trees dominates temperate forests?

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

    Which feature is characteristic of leaf litter in temperate forests?

    <p>Provides habitat for invertebrates (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of forest has a high above-ground biomass due to long-lived tree species?

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

    What is a significant characteristic of soils in boreal forest regions?

    <p>Acidic with little available nitrogen (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why can evergreen trees photosynthesize earlier in the spring than deciduous trees?

    <p>Needle-shaped leaves require less energy to warm. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What limits the root penetration in the Arctic tundra?

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

    What is the average growing season duration for plants in the Arctic tundra?

    <p>10–12 weeks (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature differentiates temperate forests from tropical wet forests?

    <p>Presence of leaf litter (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of precipitation is most common in boreal forests?

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

    What happens to nutrients in boreal forests when conifer needles are dropped?

    <p>They decompose slowly, returning fewer nutrients to the soil. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the biomass of the Arctic tundra compare to other biomes?

    <p>It is lower than that of temperate forests. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these biomes is characterized by less diversity of tree species?

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

    Which of the following is NOT a core goal of ecology?

    <p>To understand how to best control populations of organisms (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary vector for Lyme disease in the eastern U.S.?

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

    What is the relationship between Lyme disease and the natural world?

    <p>Lyme disease is a disease that can be transmitted to humans through interaction with the environment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the fact that a higher proportion of ticks that live on white-footed mice carry the bacterium that causes Lyme disease than ticks that live on deer?

    <p>White-footed mice play a crucial role in the transmission of Lyme disease. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of an abiotic component of the environment?

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

    Which of the following is an accurate definition of ecology?

    <p>The study of the relationships between living organisms and their physical environment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between biotic and abiotic components in the environment?

    <p>Biotic and abiotic components are interdependent and influence each other. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a vector in the context of ecology?

    <p>An organism that transmits a disease to a host (C), An organism that carries a disease or pathogen (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of source water contributes to its clarity?

    <p>Fast-moving current (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do leeches adapt to fast-moving waters?

    <p>By attaching to the substrate with suckers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the water as the river or stream flows away from the source?

    <p>The current slows down (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of water body is characterized by having a clay bottom and poor water percolation?

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

    What is a common misconception about the relationship between weather and climate?

    <p>A single event cannot define global climate change (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of vegetation primarily characterizes wetlands?

    <p>Rooted plants extending above water (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the decomposition process in bogs due to oxygen levels?

    <p>It slows down due to low oxygen (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an adaptation of predators in slow-moving waters?

    <p>Finding food primarily through taste or chemical cues (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the three shared characteristics of wetlands?

    <p>Hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydric soils (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    As a river nears its mouth, what typically increases along with sedimentation?

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

    Which factor is NOT associated with increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

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

    What impact does global climate change have on biomes?

    <p>It shapes the environment of biomes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which adaptation do some bog plants have for obtaining nitrogen?

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

    What role do tributaries play in river dynamics?

    <p>They increase the river's water volume (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a scientific discipline that contributes to the attainment of ecological goals?

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

    How can climate change directly affect human health?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main focus of organismal ecology?

    <p>The adaptations that allow organisms to live in specific habitats (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the Karner blue butterfly's dependence on wild lupine?

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

    What is the primary concern of population ecology?

    <p>The distribution and abundance of species (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is population ecology particularly interested in the Karner blue butterfly?

    <p>It is a federally endangered species (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do wildfires benefit wild lupine populations?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of model can be used to investigate the effects of wildfire suppression on wild lupine populations?

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

    What is the focus of community ecology?

    <p>The interactions between different species in a community (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a level of ecological study?

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

    Which type of ecological study would focus on the adaptations of individual Karner blue butterflies to a specific environment?

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

    Which of the following is an example of a physiological adaptation in the Karner blue butterfly?

    <p>The butterfly's preferred flight temperature (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a behavioral adaptation in the Karner blue butterfly?

    <p>The butterfly's caterpillar's behavior at different larval stages (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a natural boundary for a population?

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

    Which of the following is an artificial boundary for a population?

    <p>A mowed lawn (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a direct consequence of human population growth on coral reefs?

    <p>Overfishing of predator species that eat corals (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary factor that determines the salinity of estuaries?

    <p>The rate of flow of freshwater sources (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary challenge faced by organisms living in estuaries due to their fluctuating salinity?

    <p>Rapid physiological adjustments to maintain balance (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What adaptation do some halophytic plants use to survive in salty conditions?

    <p>Using filters in their roots to remove salt from water (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do mussels and clams respond to low salinity conditions in estuaries?

    <p>They stop feeding, close their shells, and switch to anaerobic respiration (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main source of energy for the food web in lakes and ponds?

    <p>Photosynthesis by phytoplankton (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of algal blooms in lakes and ponds?

    <p>Large inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do algal blooms negatively impact lake and pond ecosystems?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of rivers and streams?

    <p>They have a consistent water flow rate regardless of location (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of bacteria in the aphotic zone of lakes and ponds?

    <p>To break down dead organisms and release nutrients (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a major environmental challenge faced by Lake Erie and the Gulf of Mexico?

    <p>Phosphorus control and storm water runoff (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to protect coral reefs?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do estuaries serve as important breeding grounds for marine organisms?

    <p>Estuaries provide a safe and protected environment for young organisms. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the rapid increase in global temperatures a significant threat to coral reefs?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between lakes and ponds and rivers and streams?

    <p>Lakes and ponds are stagnant while rivers and streams are flowing. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following are important limiting nutrients in lakes and ponds?

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

    What is the main reason why estuaries are considered a challenging environment for living organisms?

    <p>The constantly fluctuating salinity levels. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Ecology and the Biosphere

    • Ecology is the study of interactions between living organisms and their environment, aiming to understand the distribution and abundance of life.
    • Ecological research integrates various disciplines, including biology, mathematics, statistics, biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, evolution, biodiversity, geology, and climatology.
    • Abiotic factors are non-living components (e.g., air, water, soil), while biotic factors are living organisms.
    • Ecological study occurs at four interconnected levels: organismal, population, community, and ecosystem.

    Organismal Ecology

    • Organismal ecology focuses on adaptations enabling individuals to survive in specific habitats.
    • Adaptations can be morphological, physiological, or behavioral.
    • Example: The Karner blue butterfly is a specialist requiring wild lupine for survival.

    Population Ecology

    • A population is a group of interbreeding individuals of the same species in a given area.
    • Population ecology focuses on population size changes over time.
    • Factors influencing population size can include conservation efforts, host plant abundance, and wildfire suppression.
    • Example: Karner blue butterfly populations are endangered and heavily reliant on wild lupine, whose health is affected by human intervention.

    Community Ecology

    • A biological community consists of species interacting within an area.
    • Interactions include competition, predation, parasitism, herbivory, and mutualism.
    • Example: Karner blue butterfly larvae have a mutualistic relationship with certain ant species (Formica spp.) to protect them from predators.

    Ecosystem Ecology

    • Ecosystem ecology combines biotic and abiotic factors in an area.
    • It examines nutrient and energy flow through the ecosystem.
    • Example: Karner blue butterflies and wild lupine live in oak-pine barrens, where nutrient availability and disturbance are key factors.

    Biogeography

    • Biogeography studies the geographic distribution of organisms and their environmental influences.
    • Abiotic factors, such as temperature, rainfall, elevation, and sunlight, affect species distribution.
    • Biomes are large, geographically distinct land areas with specific climate, flora, and fauna.
    • Endemic species are naturally found in only one specific area, while generalist species live in diverse regions.
    • Examples of abiotic factors influencing biomes include latitude, ocean currents, and elevation, resulting in distinct vegetation patterns from the equator to the poles, with similar patterns seen as altitude increases.

    Terrestrial Biomes

    • Two major abiotic factors determining terrestrial biomes are temperature and precipitation.
    • Eight major terrestrial biomes have distinctive characteristics exemplified by tropical wet forests, savannas, deserts, chaparral, temperate grasslands, temperate forests, boreal forests, and tundra biomes.

    Aquatic Biomes

    • Aquatic biomes include marine (oceans, coral reefs, estuaries) and freshwater (lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands) environments.
    • Light penetration, water temperature, and nutrient availability are key abiotic factors.

    Ocean Zones and Marine Biomes

    • Pelagic realm: open ocean water.
    • Benthic realm: ocean floor.
    • Photic zone: sunlight penetrates the water.
    • Aphotic zone: no sunlight reaches the water.
    • Intertidal zone: shoreline between high and low tides
    • Neritic zone: extends from the intertidal zone to the edge of the continental shelf.
    • Oceanic zone: open ocean beyond the neritic zone
    • Coral reefs: formed by calcium carbonate skeletons of coral organisms, requiring warm, shallow water and sometimes a mutualistic relationship with photosynthetic algae
    • Estuaries: where freshwater and seawater mix, creating brackish water.
    • Freshwater biomes: lakes and ponds (standing water), rivers and streams (flowing water).

    Climate and Global Climate Change

    • Global climate change refers to altered weather patterns, especially a worldwide increase in temperature.
    • Climate differs from weather, reflecting long-term atmospheric conditions, while weather refers to short-term conditions.
    • The Industrial Revolution significantly increased atmospheric carbon dioxide.
    • Natural factors affecting global climate include solar variations, volcanic eruptions, and variations in Earth's orbit.
    • Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, trap heat and warm the planet.

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    Test your knowledge on the interactions between the Karner blue butterfly larvae and ants, as well as key ecological concepts. This quiz covers the benefits provided by ants, abiotic factors, and the importance of species interactions in ecosystems. Dive into the study of these fascinating relationships and enhance your understanding of ecology.

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