ecology unit 1

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Questions and Answers

What occurs to moisture as air rises up a mountain?

It remains unchanged until it descends.

It evaporates without changing.

It condenses and turns into precipitation. (correct)

It becomes warmer and more humid.

Which factors influence biome distribution?

Climate, elevation, and soil. (correct)

Human activity and urbanization.

Soil compaction and temperature.

Precipitation patterns and animal migration.

What does CLORPT stand for in relation to soil formation?

Climate, Organisms, Relief, Parent material, Time. (correct)

Compaction, Organisms, Rainfall, Parent material, Time.

Carbon, Oxygen, Lithosphere, Organisms, Temperature.

Climate, Organismal structure, Relief, Parent material, Temperature.

Which horizon is considered the organic layer of soil?

O horizon. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily composes soil apart from mineral particles?

Living organisms, water, and gas. Signup and view all the answers

How does the parent material influence soil composition?

It determines the types of rocks and minerals present. Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of soil consists of clay, humus, and leached materials?

B horizon. Signup and view all the answers

What can cause soil to change over time?

Climatic conditions, organisms, and time. Signup and view all the answers

How does the composition of soil influence nutrient availability?

It affects how quickly water drains, impacting nutrient retention. Signup and view all the answers

What describes the filtration rate of sand compared to clay?

Sand has a higher filtration rate because it allows water to drain quickly. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor primarily dictates the classification of terrestrial biomes?

Plant types present in the region. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of tropical rainforests regarding soil composition?

They possess nutrient-poor soil due to leaching. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a tropical dry forest?

It has distinct wet and dry seasons with variable precipitation. Signup and view all the answers

How do nutrients affect plant growth in a given environment?

Plant growth is constrained by the least available nutrient. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of tropical rainforests is influenced by vertical stratification?

Layering of diverse forms of life at different heights. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does pH influence plant growth?

pH affects the availability of nutrients in the soil. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes a swamp from other types of wetlands?

Presence of trees emerging from the water. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a bog?

Features acidic water and accumulates peat. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main ecological role of mangrove swamps?

Limiting damage from storm surges. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of wetland is characterized by non-woody vegetation and typically found on coastlines?

Marsh Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT significantly affect the intertidal zone?

Air pressure Signup and view all the answers

Coral reefs are primarily found in which kind of environment?

Warm, shallow waters above 20°C year-round. Signup and view all the answers

An estuary is defined as a region where which two types of water meet?

Freshwater and saltwater. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of salt marshes?

Characterized by herbaceous vegetation. Signup and view all the answers

Which zone of the ocean is known for higher productivity due to upwelling and sunlight?

Neritic zone Signup and view all the answers

Which process describes the movement of water through roots due to a concentration gradient?

Osmosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of nitrogen in plants?

Formation of nucleic acids Signup and view all the answers

Which photosynthetic pathway is considered the oldest and most efficient?

C3 photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes an organism that maintains a constant internal temperature?

Homeotherm Signup and view all the answers

What type of soil typically has the highest cation exchange capacity?

Clay soil Signup and view all the answers

Which factor greatly affects the field capacity and wilting point of soil?

Soil texture Signup and view all the answers

Which method of heat transfer involves physical contact?

Conduction Signup and view all the answers

Which organism type is defined as having variable body temperature based on environmental conditions?

Poikilotherm Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves the uptake of water through plant leaves and stems?

Transpiration Signup and view all the answers

What primarily contributes to the formation of deserts?

Human development and erosion of natural mechanisms Signup and view all the answers

Which factor significantly limits plant growth in the tundra biome?

Permafrost Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason for the high species diversity in temperate rain forests?

Presence of old growth trees Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of grasslands?

Very rich soils Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the riparian zone?

A band of vegetation along rivers affected by flooding Signup and view all the answers

How does seasonal turnover affect lakes?

It promotes algae blooms in spring and fall Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of deep roots in grasses found in temperate grasslands?

Accessing moisture from deeper soil layers Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of boreal forests?

Relatively poor and acidic soils Signup and view all the answers

What environmental factor strongly influences desert vegetation?

Extreme temperatures and water scarcity Signup and view all the answers

In which biome do you find epiphytes like moss and lichen?

Temperate rain forest Signup and view all the answers

What primarily limits regeneration in mature temperate deciduous forests?

Competition for sunlight and moisture Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes lentic water bodies like ponds from lotic systems like rivers?

Lentic systems do not flow Signup and view all the answers

What result does drought have on vegetation in desert biomes?

Limits plant growth significantly Signup and view all the answers

Which type of vegetation dominates the alpine tundra?

Adapted shrubs and grasses Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biomes and Climate

Air cools as it rises up mountains, causing moisture to condense and precipitate.
Climates shape temperate biomes, which are defined as areas with similar climatic conditions.
Biome distribution is affected by climate, elevation, and soil characteristics.

Soil Composition and Importance

Soil is more than dirt; it consists of minerals, air, water, and living organisms.
Variation in soil color (e.g., red vs. black) is influenced by factors like climate and parent material (rocks underneath).
The acronym CLORPT summarizes soil formation factors: Climate, Organisms, Relief, Parent material, Time.
Soil horizons exist as distinct layers:
- O horizon (organic layer)
- A horizon (mixture of organic material and minerals)
- B horizon (materials leached from A)
- C horizon (weathered parent material)

Soil Properties

Soil texture is determined by the ratio of sand, silt, and clay:
- Sand has the largest particles, drains quickly, and has high filtration rates.
- Clay has the smallest particles, retains water longer, and can lead to low nutrient availability.
Soil pH impacts nutrient availability and plant growth; limiting nutrients reduces overall plant growth.

Terrestrial Biomes Overview

Terrestrial biomes are characterized by similar climate and community structures, primarily examined through vegetation.
Major biome types include:
- Tropical Rainforest: Located near the equator; warm, humid, nutrient-poor soils; high biodiversity.
- Tropical Dry Forest: Less precipitation than rainforests; seasonal variations lead to diverse ecosystems.
- Desert: Extreme temperatures, drought, sparsely populated; human activity is increasing desertification.
- Grassland: Limited precipitation leads to less tree cover; rich soils and high plant root development.
- Temperate Deciduous Forest: High precipitation and diverse plant growth; often human-altered.
- Temperate Rain Forest: Characterized by large trees and high moisture; contains epiphytes.
- Boreal Forest (Taiga): Poor, acidic soils; shorter growing seasons; significant for the paper industry.
- Tundra: Permanently frozen soil (permafrost); limited plant growth and animal migration.

Aquatic Biomes

Eight aquatic biomes exist, with three sub-categories in freshwater wetlands.
Freshwater biomes include:
- Streams and Rivers: Flowing water ecosystems; sediments accumulate downstream.
- Ponds and Lakes: Non-flowing bodies; have distinct zones including littoral, limnetic, profundal, and benthic.
- Freshwater Wetlands: Saturated, shallow water areas; include swamps, marshes, and bogs.

Coastal and Marine Biomes

Estuaries: Where freshwater meets saltwater; unique organisms adapted to fluctuating salinity.
Salt Marshes: Coastal zones characterized by herbaceous plants.
Mangrove Swamps: Support salt-tolerant trees; provide storm protection.
Intertidal Zone: Area between high and low tides; challenges include moisture and temperature fluctuations.
Coral Reefs: Biodiverse marine ecosystems in warm, shallow waters; thrive in upwelling areas.
Open Ocean: Largest biome area; divided into neritic (near shore) and oceanic (deep ocean) zones.

Soil Nutrients and Plant Growth

Essential soil nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium; vital for the creation of organic compounds.
Nutrients exist in soil as ions; their availability impacts plant health and growth, with clay showing high cation capacity.
Transpiration and osmosis govern water movement within plants.

Thermoregulation in Organisms

Thermoregulation types include:
- Poikilotherms: Variable body temperatures influenced by environment.
- Heterotherms: Internal temperature fluctuates based on surrounding temperatures.
- Homeotherms: Maintain stable internal temperatures.
Heat sources include conduction, convection, and evaporation, with adaptations like basking to regulate temperature.

Additional Notes

Behavioral adaptations like basking help ectotherms maintain optimal body temperature.
Aquatic turnover in lakes promotes nutrient availability, driving productivity.
Freshwater wetlands provide critical ecological functions and are vital for biodiversity conservation.

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