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A community consists of a single species living together.
A community consists of a single species living together.
False
The size and characteristic features of communities are uniform.
The size and characteristic features of communities are uniform.
False
A dominant species is a rare species in a community.
A dominant species is a rare species in a community.
False
Communities remain stable and unchanged over time.
Communities remain stable and unchanged over time.
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A population is a group of different species living together.
A population is a group of different species living together.
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Ecosystems have clear and distinct boundaries.
Ecosystems have clear and distinct boundaries.
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Ecology can only be studied at the level of the ecosystem.
Ecology can only be studied at the level of the ecosystem.
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Successional communities are communities that remain unchanged over time.
Successional communities are communities that remain unchanged over time.
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The structure of an ecosystem mainly consists of non-living components.
The structure of an ecosystem mainly consists of non-living components.
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The function of an ecosystem is limited to the cycling of raw material only.
The function of an ecosystem is limited to the cycling of raw material only.
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Biological space is a sub-unit of a physical space and it is the space occupied by non-living organisms.
Biological space is a sub-unit of a physical space and it is the space occupied by non-living organisms.
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Solar energy plays a minor role in an ecosystem.
Solar energy plays a minor role in an ecosystem.
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Raw materials are obtained from a single pool of origin.
Raw materials are obtained from a single pool of origin.
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The atmosphere provides organisms with oxygen for photosynthesis.
The atmosphere provides organisms with oxygen for photosynthesis.
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Intra species competition occurs between different species.
Intra species competition occurs between different species.
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Only a small portion of the earth is covered by water.
Only a small portion of the earth is covered by water.
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When food is limited, the environment can feed an unlimited number of individuals of the same species.
When food is limited, the environment can feed an unlimited number of individuals of the same species.
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Living tissues contain a very low percentage of water.
Living tissues contain a very low percentage of water.
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Competition for shelter is a common occurrence among adult male lions.
Competition for shelter is a common occurrence among adult male lions.
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Plants do not compete with each other for resources such as water and sunlight.
Plants do not compete with each other for resources such as water and sunlight.
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Taller trees in a forest allow more sunlight to reach the understory.
Taller trees in a forest allow more sunlight to reach the understory.
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Desert plants have developed deep, narrow root systems to conserve water.
Desert plants have developed deep, narrow root systems to conserve water.
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Competition is not important in the process of natural selection.
Competition is not important in the process of natural selection.
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The giraffe's long neck evolved as a result of competition with other herbivores for food.
The giraffe's long neck evolved as a result of competition with other herbivores for food.
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The Lithosphere is the solid component which consists of only rocks.
The Lithosphere is the solid component which consists of only rocks.
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Soils are mainly formed by weathering of rocks and it is less complex than simple sediments.
Soils are mainly formed by weathering of rocks and it is less complex than simple sediments.
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All producers are organisms that can synthesise the organic compounds that they use as sources of energy and nutrients.
All producers are organisms that can synthesise the organic compounds that they use as sources of energy and nutrients.
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Heterotrophs are organisms that can manufacture their food through the process of photosynthesis.
Heterotrophs are organisms that can manufacture their food through the process of photosynthesis.
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Consumers can be of three basic types: herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
Consumers can be of three basic types: herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
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Decomposers are heterotrophs that obtain their energy from living organisms.
Decomposers are heterotrophs that obtain their energy from living organisms.
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All decomposers are microorganisms.
All decomposers are microorganisms.
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The ecosystem consists of only living organisms.
The ecosystem consists of only living organisms.
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The fundamental niche of a species is the part of its total range of environmental conditions that is actually occupied by the species.
The fundamental niche of a species is the part of its total range of environmental conditions that is actually occupied by the species.
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A population is a group of different species living together in the same space and time.
A population is a group of different species living together in the same space and time.
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Ecological competition is the struggle between two organisms for different resources within an environment.
Ecological competition is the struggle between two organisms for different resources within an environment.
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Ecosystems are made up of biotic components only.
Ecosystems are made up of biotic components only.
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An ecosystem can be defined as a community of different species living together.
An ecosystem can be defined as a community of different species living together.
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Limits of tolerance refer to the range of environmental factors within which an organism can survive.
Limits of tolerance refer to the range of environmental factors within which an organism can survive.
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There are three major types of interactions within biological components.
There are three major types of interactions within biological components.
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Ecology is a single-disciplinary subject that studies the environment.
Ecology is a single-disciplinary subject that studies the environment.
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Study Notes
Community and Population
- A community is a group of different species living together with mutual tolerance and benefits in a specific area.
- Different species in a community share common characteristic features due to uniform environmental conditions.
- The size and characteristic features of communities are varied, e.g., forest, desert, pond, and mangrove communities.
- A community has its own specific features, including different plant and animal species, growth forms, and structures.
Dominant Species
- A dominant species is a prominent species in a community that has a significant impact on the environment.
- Example: Dipterocarpus (Hora) species are dominant in a lowland tropical rain forest such as Sinharaja forest.
Successional Communities
- Communities that change their composition with time due to variation/fluctuation of environmental factors are known as successional communities.
- These communities eventually attain a stable condition known as the climax stage.
Ecosystem
- An ecosystem is defined as the living and non-living things in an environment and all their interactions.
- Ecosystems can be recognized as a basic fundamental unit in ecology.
- Different types of ecosystems exist in nature, e.g., pond, forest, estuary, and grassland.
- The boundaries of one ecosystem are often overlapping and no clear margins are recognizable in most ecosystems.
Structure and Function of an Ecosystem
- The structure of an ecosystem mainly consists of living and non-living components.
- The two main components of an ecosystem are:
- Abiotic (non-living) components: space, energy, and raw materials.
- Biotic (living) components: producers, consumers, and decomposers.
- The functions of an ecosystem are:
- Flow of energy: energy enters the ecosystem from the sun and is trapped in green plants, converted to chemical energy, and utilized in metabolic processes.
- Cycling of raw materials: raw materials are the building blocks of an ecosystem, and they are divided into three pools according to their origin: atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.
Abiotic Components
- Space: physical and biological space.
- Energy: solar, chemical, gravitational, heat, and wind energy.
- Raw materials: atmosphere (gases), hydrosphere (water), and lithosphere (soil).
Biotic Components
- Producers (autotrophs): organisms that can synthesize their own food through photosynthesis, e.g., green plants and algae.
- Consumers (heterotrophs): organisms that require energy fixed in the form of chemical bonds of organic molecules for survival, e.g., herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
- Decomposers (heterotrophs): organisms that obtain their energy from dead organisms or organic compounds dispersed in the environment, e.g., fungi and bacteria.
Competition
- Intra species competition: competition between individuals of the same species for limited resources, leading to the survival of the fittest.
- Inter species competition: competition between different species for limited resources.
- Competition can shape the ecosystem, e.g., taller trees shielding the understory from sunlight, making it hard for other plants to grow.
Evolution and Natural Selection
- Competition within and between species for resources is important in natural selection.
- Scientists believe that competitive relationships may be partially responsible for the evolutionary process.
- The evolution of species is influenced by competition, e.g., the giraffe's long neck adaptation to eat food with little to no competition.
Niche and Habitat
- Niche: the total range of environmental conditions that are suitable for the existence of a species.
- Habitat: the specific environment in which an organism lives.
- Fundamental niche: the total range of environmental conditions that are suitable for the existence of a species without any ecological disturbances.
- Realized niche: the part of the fundamental niche that is actually occupied by the species.
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Description
This quiz covers the different types of communities in an ecosystem, including forests, deserts, and ponds, and how they have unique characteristics and features.
