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Questions and Answers
Denitrification is a process that breaks ammonia down to release ______ into the atmosphere.
Denitrification is a process that breaks ammonia down to release ______ into the atmosphere.
N2
An ecological niche includes habitat, feeding relationships, and interactions with other ______.
An ecological niche includes habitat, feeding relationships, and interactions with other ______.
species
The fundamental niche is defined by all the potential resources that a species can use in its environment, while the ______ niche is what the species actually uses.
The fundamental niche is defined by all the potential resources that a species can use in its environment, while the ______ niche is what the species actually uses.
realised
According to the competitive exclusion principle, two species with exactly the same ______ cannot coexist in the same community.
According to the competitive exclusion principle, two species with exactly the same ______ cannot coexist in the same community.
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A keystone species plays a unique and critical role in maintaining the structure of a ______.
A keystone species plays a unique and critical role in maintaining the structure of a ______.
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Removing a keystone species can have a huge impact on the entire ______.
Removing a keystone species can have a huge impact on the entire ______.
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Sea otters are considered a keystone species because they feed on ______, which allows kelp forests to thrive.
Sea otters are considered a keystone species because they feed on ______, which allows kelp forests to thrive.
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The carrying capacity refers to the size of the population that can be supported indefinitely on the available ______ of the ecosystem.
The carrying capacity refers to the size of the population that can be supported indefinitely on the available ______ of the ecosystem.
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When a population is BELOW its carrying capacity, it will ______ in size.
When a population is BELOW its carrying capacity, it will ______ in size.
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When a population is ABOVE its carrying capacity, it will ______ in size.
When a population is ABOVE its carrying capacity, it will ______ in size.
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The growth of a population in an ideal, unlimited environment is known as ______ growth.
The growth of a population in an ideal, unlimited environment is known as ______ growth.
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Environmental resistance refers to conditions that limit a species population from growing out of ______.
Environmental resistance refers to conditions that limit a species population from growing out of ______.
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Pioneer plants help to alter the environment to support the colonization of other ______.
Pioneer plants help to alter the environment to support the colonization of other ______.
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In primary succession, plants grow where no plants have grown before, with no ______ present.
In primary succession, plants grow where no plants have grown before, with no ______ present.
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Species that undergo exponential growth typically have ______ generation times.
Species that undergo exponential growth typically have ______ generation times.
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The ______ community remains unchanged as long as the site is undisturbed.
The ______ community remains unchanged as long as the site is undisturbed.
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In the early stages of succession, the types of species present are typically ______ organisms.
In the early stages of succession, the types of species present are typically ______ organisms.
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A climax community is characterized by ______ organisms that grow slowly.
A climax community is characterized by ______ organisms that grow slowly.
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During early succession, biodiversity is generally ______.
During early succession, biodiversity is generally ______.
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In a climax community, the level of biomass is ______.
In a climax community, the level of biomass is ______.
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Early successional biotic interactions tend to be ______ interactions, primarily seen in food chains.
Early successional biotic interactions tend to be ______ interactions, primarily seen in food chains.
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Human activity, such as urbanization, has led to reduced ______ in ecosystems.
Human activity, such as urbanization, has led to reduced ______ in ecosystems.
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Land clearing leads to habitat ______, which threatens biodiversity by isolating populations.
Land clearing leads to habitat ______, which threatens biodiversity by isolating populations.
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Salinization occurs when the water table rises due to land clearing and leads to ______ concentration at the surface.
Salinization occurs when the water table rises due to land clearing and leads to ______ concentration at the surface.
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Accumulation of ______ at the surface kills protective plant cover.
Accumulation of ______ at the surface kills protective plant cover.
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The agricultural practice of growing a single crop or plant species is known as ______.
The agricultural practice of growing a single crop or plant species is known as ______.
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Human activity can transfer organisms into places where they previously did not exist, referred to as ______ species.
Human activity can transfer organisms into places where they previously did not exist, referred to as ______ species.
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Biomagnification refers to the concentration of a ______ in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain.
Biomagnification refers to the concentration of a ______ in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain.
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Over-exploitation threatens global biodiversity by harvesting at a rate that is ______.
Over-exploitation threatens global biodiversity by harvesting at a rate that is ______.
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Amensalism occurs when an interaction has a negative effect on one and no effect on the ______.
Amensalism occurs when an interaction has a negative effect on one and no effect on the ______.
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Commensalism occurs when one species is affected positively, while the other isn’t ______ or harmed.
Commensalism occurs when one species is affected positively, while the other isn’t ______ or harmed.
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Almost all species are affected by ______, which can be compared across ecosystems.
Almost all species are affected by ______, which can be compared across ecosystems.
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A tolerance limit is the range of environmental conditions that an organism can ______ in.
A tolerance limit is the range of environmental conditions that an organism can ______ in.
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Classification processes can be hierarchical and based on different levels of similarity of physical features, methods of reproduction, and ______ sequences.
Classification processes can be hierarchical and based on different levels of similarity of physical features, methods of reproduction, and ______ sequences.
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Classifying organisms allows scientists to identify harmful or dangerous ______.
Classifying organisms allows scientists to identify harmful or dangerous ______.
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Understanding evolutionary relationships is important for managing information related to the vast ______ of organisms.
Understanding evolutionary relationships is important for managing information related to the vast ______ of organisms.
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Abiotic factors include climate, substrate, and size or ______ of area.
Abiotic factors include climate, substrate, and size or ______ of area.
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Study Notes
Denitrification and Ecological Niche
- Denitrification transforms ammonia into nitrogen gas (N2) through soil bacteria, promoting a natural nitrogen cycle.
- An ecological niche encompasses a species' role in its ecosystem, including its habitat, feeding relationships, and interactions with other species.
- Fundamental Niche: Represents the total potential resources a species can utilize without competition.
- Realised Niche: The actual resources and habitats available, limited by competition, leading to a more restricted range of habitats.
Competitive Exclusion Principle
- Two species with identical niches cannot coexist indefinitely; one will outcompete and lead to the extinction or niche shift of the weaker competitor.
- Coexistence in stable environments often results from niche differentiation between competing species.
Keystone Species
- A keystone species is crucial for maintaining the structure of its ecosystem; removing it can significantly disrupt ecological balance.
- Sea otters serve as a prime example of a keystone species, controlling sea urchin populations, which in turn promotes the growth of kelp forests.
- Increased kelp abundance supports various species and enhances biodiversity and predator-prey dynamics in the ecosystem.
Population Ecology and Carrying Capacity
- Carrying Capacity: Maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support.
- Populations below carrying capacity tend to increase, while those above tend to decrease.
- Population growth can be calculated using the Lincoln index formula, indicating initial catch, individuals caught on the second sampling, and recaptured samples.
Exponential and Logistic Growth
- Exponential Growth (J curve): Characterizes populations in ideal environments, often seen in species with short generational times and high fecundity (e.g., bacteria, insects).
- Logistic Growth (S curve): Represents populations facing resource limitations, stabilizing around the carrying capacity due to environmental resistance.
Ecosystem Succession
- Succession involves gradual species replacement, occurring in two types:
- Primary Succession: Starts without soil; pioneer species like lichens can colonize bare areas and eventually lead to soil formation.
- Secondary Succession: Occurs in previously inhabited areas following disturbances (e.g., fires), allowing for more rapid regrowth.
- Climax communities represent a stable ecosystem in equilibrium with the environment.
Human Impact on Ecosystems
- Urbanization leads to pollution, energy wastage, and habitat destruction, significantly affecting biodiversity.
- Habitat fragmentation reduces genetic diversity, creates isolated populations, and simplifies food webs.
- Land and soil degradation result from practices like overgrazing and monoculture, leading to soil compaction and invasion by weeds.
Salination and Monoculture
- Land clearing for agriculture raises the water table, leading to salt influx, which negatively impacts plant health.
- Monoculture increases vulnerability to diseases, as a lack of biodiversity facilitates the rapid spread of pathogens.
Invasive Species and Biomagnification
- Introduced species often proliferate because they lack natural predators and can outcompete native species, endangering local biodiversity.
- Biomagnification describes the increasing concentration of toxins in organisms at higher trophic levels, affecting ecosystems and food chains.
Over-exploitation
- Unsustainable harvesting practices threaten biodiversity and can lead to population declines or species extinction.
Inter-species Relationships
- Amensalism involves one species being harmed while the other remains unaffected.
- Neutralism occurs when species have no significant impact on each other, while commensalism benefits one species without affecting the other.
Abiotic Factors In Ecosystems
- Climate affects ecosystem composition and species distribution, influenced by shifts in temperature and weather patterns.
- Substrate provides habitat characteristics essential for analyzing habitat suitability for different species.
- Size and depth of ecosystems impact biodiversity levels and resilience to environmental changes.
Environmental Limits on Species Distribution
- Each species has a specific tolerance limit for environmental conditions, determining its distribution and abundance in an ecosystem.
Classification of Organisms
- Biological classification is hierarchical based on similarities in physical features, reproduction methods, and molecular sequences, aiding in species identification and understanding ecological relationships.
- Classifying organisms helps manage biodiversity, recognize beneficial or harmful species, and comprehend evolutionary relationships.
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Description
Explore the intricate concepts of ecological niches and the process of denitrification. This quiz covers definitions, types of niches, and the role of soil bacteria in nitrogen cycling. Dive into how species interact within their habitats and the importance of these interactions.
