Ecosystem Components and Interactions

Questions and Answers

Define biotic and abiotic factors of the environment. Give an example of each.

Biotic- living ex: organisms of same or different species; Abiotic- non-living ex: factors such as sunlight, soil, temperature, and water.

How do ecologists define the term ecosystem?

It consists of all the biotic and abiotic factors in an area and their interactions.

State the competitive exclusion principle.

Two different species cannot occupy the same niche in the same place for very long.

Identify three different types of consumers. Name an example of each type.

Herbivores- plants or algae; Carnivores- consume animals ex: polar bears, lions; Omnivores- plants and animals ex: humans, pigs. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of decomposers in food webs.

Break down the remains and other wastes and release simple inorganic molecules back to the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What are food chains and food webs?

Diagrams that represent feeding relationships. They model how energy and matter move through ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

What is a biogeochemical cycle? Name an example.

The chemical elements and water that are needed by organisms continuously recycle in ecosystems. Example: Carbon cycle. Signup and view all the answers

Identify and define two processes by which water naturally changes from a solid or liquid to a gas.

Evaporation and sublimation. Signup and view all the answers

Define exchange pool and reservoir, and identify an example of each in the water cycle.

Exchange pool- part of a cycle that holds an element or water for a short period of time; ex: atmosphere. Reservoir- part of a cycle that holds an element or water for a long period of time; ex: ocean. Signup and view all the answers

State three ways that carbon dioxide enters Earth's atmosphere.

Organisms decompose, human actions (burning of fossil fuels), natural processes (volcanic eruptions). Signup and view all the answers

List all the ways that a single tree may be involved in the carbon cycle.

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What are biomes?

A biome is different from an ecosystem. It is a specific geographic area notable for the species living there. Signup and view all the answers

What is population density?

Population density is the average number of individuals per unit of area or volume. Signup and view all the answers

Define immigration and emigration.

Immigration means moving into a population; emigration means leaving the population. Signup and view all the answers

Write the formula for the population growth rate. Identify all the variables.

r = (b + i) - (d + e); Where r = population growth rate, b = birth rate, i = immigration rate, d = death rate, e = emigration rate. Signup and view all the answers

Describe exponential population growth.

The population starts out growing slowly. As population size increases, the growth rate also increases. Signup and view all the answers

What are K-selected and r-selected species?

K-selected- Species that live in stable environments, population is controlled by environment; r-selected- Species that live in unstable environments, population growth is rapid but offspring die young. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Biotic Factors: Living components in an environment, including organisms of the same or different species.
Abiotic Factors: Non-living components such as sunlight, soil, temperature, and water.

Ecosystem Definition

An ecosystem is comprised of all biotic and abiotic factors in a given area and their interactions.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

States that two different species cannot occupy the same niche in the same location simultaneously for an extended period.

Types of Consumers

Herbivores: Consume plants or algae.
Carnivores: Consume other animals (e.g., polar bears, lions).
Omnivores: Consume both plants and animals (e.g., humans, pigs).

Role of Decomposers

Decomposers break down organic remains and waste, returning simple inorganic molecules to the environment.

Food Chains and Food Webs

Represent feeding relationships within ecosystems, illustrating the flow of energy and matter.

Biogeochemical Cycles

The recycling of chemical elements and water through biotic and abiotic components in ecosystems.
Example: Movement of a chemical from organisms (bio) to the atmosphere or ocean (geo) and back to organisms.

Water Cycle Processes

Water changes state through processes such as evaporation and sublimation.
Water exists as vapor, liquid, or ice in various locations including the atmosphere and reservoirs like aquifers and oceans.

Exchange Pool vs. Reservoir

Exchange Pool: A cycle component that holds an element for a short time (e.g., atmosphere).
Reservoir: Holds an element for a long duration (e.g., ocean).

Carbon Dioxide Sources

Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through:
- Decomposition of organisms.
- Human activities, such as fossil fuel combustion.
- Natural processes like volcanic eruptions and oceanic releases.

Tree's Role in Carbon Cycle

A single tree contributes to the carbon cycle through processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition.

Biomes Definition

A biome is a distinct geographic area characterized by specific species, encompassing various ecosystems like coral reefs or kelp forests.

Population Density

Defined as the average number of individuals per unit area or volume.

Immigration and Emigration

Immigration: The process of individuals moving into a population.
Emigration: The process of individuals leaving a population.

Population Growth Rate Formula

Formula: r = (b + i) - (d + e)
- r = population growth rate
- b = birth rate
- i = immigration rate
- d = death rate
- e = emigration rate

Exponential Population Growth

Initially slow growth will accelerate as the population increases, leading to rapid growth in larger populations.

K-selected vs. r-selected Species

K-selected Species: Thrive in stable environments; population sizes are regulated by environmental factors.
r-selected Species: Live in unstable environments; exhibit rapid population growth but produce younger offspring that have higher mortality rates.

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Description

Explore the essential components of ecosystems, including biotic and abiotic factors, and the interactions between various consumers and decomposers. This quiz covers concepts such as the competitive exclusion principle and the structure of food chains and food webs. Test your understanding of these ecological concepts!