Ecology: Populations and Ecosystems

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Questions and Answers

What is the difference between a population and a community?

A population is all of the same species in an area whereas a community is all of the interacting populations in an area.

What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?

Biotic factors can be living organisms, products of living organisms, or interactions between living organisms. Abiotic factors are completely nonliving.

How does the environment determine where an organism can survive?

Organisms need specific temperatures, water, shelter, etc., to survive, so they can only live in environments that provide for those needs.

What is the difference between a community and an ecosystem?

An ecosystem includes all of the abiotic factors that affect a community. Signup and view all the answers

How are ecosystems and biomes related?

Biomes are made of similar ecosystems and can cover very large portions of Earth. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the meanings of the terms biotic factors and abiotic factors differ.

Biotic factors have to do with living organisms and abiotic factors are completely non-living. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the meanings of the terms habitat and niche differ.

Habitat is where an organism lives. Niche describes its role/how it survives and interacts. Signup and view all the answers

Within each biome, how can the environment be organized into levels from complex to simple?

Biomes are made of similar ecosystems: Ecosystem → Community → Population → Individual. Signup and view all the answers

How do the populations in a community depend on each other?

Populations depend on each other for food and/or protection/shelter. Signup and view all the answers

What factors determine where a population can live?

A habitat must provide all of the abiotic factors and biotic factors necessary for an organism to survive. Signup and view all the answers

What might happen in a tropical rainforest biome if the area received very little rain for an extended period of time?

The organisms would struggle to survive because they are adapted to larger amounts of rain. Signup and view all the answers

Owls and hawks both eat rodents. They are also found in the same habitats. Since no two populations can occupy exactly the same niche, how can owls and hawks coexist?

Owls are nocturnal hunters and hawks are diurnal hunters so they aren't hunting for exactly the same species. Signup and view all the answers

What has to happen to a biotic factor from it to become an abiotic factor?

A biotic factor must fully decompose to become an abiotic factor. Signup and view all the answers

Compare the two different biomes shown in the photos and explain why they are categorized as different biomes.

The top photo has less plant diversity, but both show large mammals. The plant communities look different which is why they are considered different biomes. Signup and view all the answers

How is a habitat like a person's address? How is a niche like a person's job?

Habitat (address) is where an organism lives and has what it needs to live. Niche is the role organisms play in the ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

In the desert ecosystem shown above, name a biotic factor and describe its effect on the horses if it were removed from the ecosystem.

One biotic factor would be the shrub. If the shrub was removed, the horse wouldn't have any food. The horse would have to migrate, find another food source, or starve to death. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a rabbit's niche.

Prey, Herbivores, Burrowers. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a dandelion's niche.

Food, Weeds/Invasive Species, Producers (makes food through photosynthesis). Signup and view all the answers

Describe your personal niche.

Student, Omnivore, Dependent, Walker, Pet caregiver, Doer of chores, Reader, Swimmer, Musician, Singer. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the prairie dog's niche. How does it find shelter and impact the environment?

Prairie dogs dig burrows in grassy plains. They eat plants and are hunted by predators such as owls and foxes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between ecosystems and biomes?

A biome can contain many similar ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

How do populations in a community depend on each other?

Populations depend on each other for food and/or shelter. Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Population vs. Community

Population: All individuals of the same species in a given area.
Community: All interacting populations within a specific area.

Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors

Biotic factors: Include living organisms, products of living organisms, and their interactions.
Abiotic factors: Non-living elements in an ecosystem.

Environmental Needs for Survival

Organisms require specific temperatures, water, shelter, and other factors to survive.
Survival is limited to environments that meet these needs.

Community vs. Ecosystem

Ecosystem: Comprises a community along with all its abiotic factors influencing it.

Ecosystems and Biomes

Biomes consist of similar ecosystems and can span large geographic areas.

Habitat vs. Niche

Habitat: The physical location where an organism resides.
Niche: The role an organism plays within its habitat, including its survival strategies and interactions.

Organization of Biomes

Biome structure can be organized from the complex (Biome) to the simple (Individual):
- Ecosystem
- Community
- Population
- Individual

Interdependence of Populations

Populations in a community rely on one another for essential needs such as food, shelter, and protection.

Factors Influencing Population Distribution

A habitat must fulfill both abiotic and biotic requirements for an organism’s survival.

Impact of Drought in Tropical Rainforest

Extended lack of rain can threaten survival for organisms adapted to high rainfall.

Coexistence of Owl and Hawk

Owls (nocturnal) and hawks (diurnal) exploit different hunting times, allowing them to coexist without direct competition.

Decomposition and Its Impact

Biotic factors must fully decompose to convert into abiotic factors.

Comparing Biomes

Analysis of biomes involves evaluating plant diversity and communities; differences in these factors define separate biomes.

Habitat and Niche Analogies

Habitat parallels a person's address (physical location); niche represents a person's job (role and function in the ecosystem).

Effects of Removing Biotic Factors

Removal of a biotic factor, such as shrubs in a desert, can lead to food scarcity for local fauna like horses, possibly resulting in migration or starvation.

Rabbit's Niche

Key roles include being prey, herbivorous, and burrowing for shelter.

Dandelion's Niche

Serves as food, categorized as a weed/invasive species, and is a producer due to photosynthesis.

Personal Niche

Individual's roles may include being a student, omnivore, and supporting responsibilities like caregiving, chores, and hobbies.

Prairie Dog's Niche

Constructs burrows for shelter, feeds on plants, and is part of the food chain as prey for predators such as foxes and owls.

Ecosystem/Biome Relationship

Each biome can comprise multiple ecosystems that share similar climatic and geographical conditions.

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