Ecosystems and Succession Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What defines the role of a species in its habitat?

Its niche, including biotic and abiotic interactions (correct)

Its geographical location within the habitat

The amount of energy it contributes to the ecosystem

Its population size relative to other species

Which type of succession occurs after a volcanic eruption?

Secondary succession

Ephemeral succession

Primary succession (correct)

Climatic succession

Which of the following is a pioneer species capable of surviving harsh conditions?

Buffalo grass

Lichens (correct)

Moss

Oak trees

What is the climax community?

The ultimate and stable stage of ecological succession Signup and view all the answers

How is biomass typically measured?

Using the mass of carbon or dry mass of tissue per area over time Signup and view all the answers

In secondary succession, what is the primary difference from primary succession?

Soil layers are already present. Signup and view all the answers

What primary factors control the distribution and abundance of organisms in a habitat?

Biotic and abiotic factors combined Signup and view all the answers

How can the chemical energy stored in dry biomass be estimated?

Through calorimetry Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves recording species that come into contact with a line placed across a habitat?

Line transect Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that does NOT limit the carrying capacity of an environment?

Soil Type Signup and view all the answers

What type of competition occurs between individuals of different species?

Interspecific competition Signup and view all the answers

Which process contributes to the recycling of carbon in the environment?

Decomposition Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a growing predator population have on the prey population?

Causes a decrease in prey population Signup and view all the answers

What does conservation primarily aim to achieve within a habitat?

Maintain or increase biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a method used to measure the abundance of organisms?

Line transect Signup and view all the answers

What is the main distinction between conservation and preservation?

Conservation allows for resource use while preservation does not Signup and view all the answers

What does net primary productivity (NPP) represent in an ecosystem?

The rate at which energy is transferred into new plant biomass after respiratory losses Signup and view all the answers

Which equation correctly represents the relationship between gross primary productivity (GPP), net primary productivity (NPP), and respiration (R)?

NPP = GPP - R Signup and view all the answers

What is coppicing?

Cutting down trees at the base to encourage new growth Signup and view all the answers

How is the net production of consumers (N) calculated?

N = I - (F + R) Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of increased tourism in the Galapagos Islands?

Threatened sea cucumber populations due to overfishing Signup and view all the answers

What form must nitrogen be converted into before it can be used by plants?

Ammonium ions or nitrates Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following management strategies helps to protect ecosystems?

Controlling the introduction of non-native species Signup and view all the answers

What ethical reason is cited for the conservation of species and habitats?

The right of species to survive Signup and view all the answers

What role do bacteria such as Rhizobium play in nitrogen fixation?

They form a mutualistic relationship with plants to fix nitrogen. Signup and view all the answers

What is pollarding?

Cutting trees at a higher point to protect new growth from herbivores Signup and view all the answers

During the nitrogen cycle, which bacteria are responsible for oxidizing ammonium ions to nitrites?

Nitrosomonas Signup and view all the answers

What facilitates the conversion of nitrates back to nitrogen gas in anaerobic conditions?

Denitrifying bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the outcomes of waste and pollution in the Galapagos Islands?

Decline of fish populations in surrounding waters Signup and view all the answers

Which action is part of conservation efforts in the Galapagos Islands?

Captively breeding giant tortoises Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of ammonium ions being produced by bacteria during protein putrefaction?

For nucleic acid synthesis in plants Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes selective felling?

Removing only the largest and diseased trees to promote growth Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecosystems

An ecosystem includes all living organisms (community) and non-living elements.
Factors that control the distribution and abundance of organisms include:
- Biotic Factors: Predators, pathogens
- Abiotic Factors: Light levels, temperature
Each species has a niche: Role within the ecosystem, defined by biotic and abiotic interactions.

Succession

Succession: Change in the community of organisms over time.
Primary Succession: Occurs on previously uncolonized land, for example, after a volcanic eruption.
- Pioneer species, such as lichens, colonize the harsh environment.
- Decomposers break down organisms, enriching the soil.
- Over time, soil becomes richer, supporting larger plants like shrubs.
- Climax Community: Final, self-sustaining stage with stable organisms.
Secondary Succession: Occurs when an established community is cleared, for example, after a forest fire.
- Soil layer already present, so succession begins at a later stage.

Biomass and Productivity

Plants synthesize organic molecules using atmospheric or aquatic CO2.
Biomass: Mass of carbon or dry mass of tissue per unit area per unit time.
Chemical energy stored in biomass measured using calorimetry.
Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): Rate of energy incorporated into plant organic molecules during photosynthesis.
Net Primary Productivity (NPP): Rate of energy transferred into new plant biomass after accounting for respiratory losses.
- NPP = GPP - R (Respiration)
NPP is available for plant growth, reproduction, and other trophic levels.
Net Production of Consumers (N): Chemical energy in ingested food minus energy lost in feces, urine, and respiration.
- N = I - (F + R)

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen is essential for protein and nucleic acid synthesis.
Nitrogen fixation converts atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.
Nitrogen Fixation:
- Rhizobium bacteria residing in root nodules of leguminous plants fix nitrogen into ammonium ions.
- Nitrogen reductase reduces nitrogen gas to ammonium ions in anaerobic conditions.
Ammonium Ions:
- Released by bacteria during decomposition of proteins in dead organic matter.
- Oxidized to nitrites by Nitrosomonas bacteria.
Nitrites:
- Oxidized to nitrates by Nitrobacter bacteria in the presence of oxygen.
Nitrates:
- Absorbed by plants for nucleotide synthesis.
Denitrification: In anaerobic conditions, denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates back to nitrogen gas for respiration.

Carbon Cycle

Carbon: Component of organic molecules, recycled through photosynthesis, feeding, respiration, and decomposition.

Sampling Techniques

Line Transect: Used to measure abundance by recording species in contact with a line placed across the habitat.
Quadrat: Square frame placed randomly to count species within the area to determine abundance.
Belt Transect: Two tape measures laid out with samples taken at set intervals between them.

Populations and Sustainability

Limiting Factors: Determine carrying capacity, the maximum population size supported by the environment.
- Food, water, light, oxygen, nesting sites, shelter, parasites, predators.
Competition: Occurs when a resource is limited.
- Interspecific Competition: Between individuals of different species.
- Intraspecific Competition: Between individuals of the same species.
Predator-Prey Relationships: Fluctuation in predator and prey populations.
- Increase in predators leads to a decrease in prey, then fewer predators, allowing prey to increase, restarting the cycle.
Conservation: Maintains or increases biodiversity through sustainable resource use.
Preservation: Maintains biodiversity and habitat intact by minimizing human impact.

Ecosystem Management

Coppicing: Cutting trees close to the ground to encourage new growth.
Selective Felling: Harvesting mature and diseased trees to enable the growth of others.
Pollarding: Coppicing with higher cuts to prevent deer from eating new shoots.
Efficient Production: Maximizing tree use to minimize waste.

Galapagos Islands: Case Study

Human impact: Increased tourism demand for resources like water and energy, leading to pollution and overfishing.
Introduced species outcompete native species.
Conservation: Goat culling to eliminate non-native species, breeding giant tortoises in captivity.

Conservation Projects

Controlling visitor numbers.
Involving local communities in conservation efforts.
Educating local communities about conservation.
Actively managing vegetation.
Controlling the introduction of invasive species.

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Description

Test your knowledge on ecosystems and the process of succession. This quiz covers key concepts such as biotic and abiotic factors, primary and secondary succession, and the concept of a climax community. Discover how organisms interact with their environment and evolve over time.