Forest Ecology Overview

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Questions and Answers

What primarily influences the distribution of vegetation around the globe?

Climate (correct)

Human interference

Soil nutrients

Species competition

Which of the following is NOT a major tree taxon in the Eastern deciduous forest?

Fraxinus

Sequoia (correct)

Acer

Carya

In the Eastern deciduous forest, which stratum is most likely to contain wildflowers and ferns?

Canopy

Herb (correct)

Ground

Understory

What ecological factor does NOT play a role in determining plant distribution within a biome?

Animal migration patterns Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the physiological structure of the Eastern deciduous forest?

Distinct layering consisting of canopy, understory, shrub, herb, and ground layers Signup and view all the answers

What type of ecological interaction is represented by mycorrhizae?

Mutualism Signup and view all the answers

Which factor influences the intensity and frequency of natural fires?

Climate Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of disturbance in an ecosystem?

It allows new individuals to establish Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an abiotic factor influencing plant distribution?

Competition Signup and view all the answers

Which event is primarily caused by natural lightning strikes?

Forest fires Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary relationship in parasitism?

One benefits at the expense of another Signup and view all the answers

How does drought affect ecosystems?

It can determine species composition Signup and view all the answers

What process describes the recovery after a disturbance leading to ecosystem restoration?

Ecological succession Signup and view all the answers

What is a direct consequence of systemic racism and inequality in urban landscapes?

Greater habitat quantity and quality in wealthier neighborhoods Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT listed as an urban ecology challenge?

More habitats Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of the MillionTreesNYC initiative?

To plant and maintain one million new trees Signup and view all the answers

What purpose do Greenstreets serve in New York City?

To capture storm water and improve drainage Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT considered when identifying birds?

Dietary preferences Signup and view all the answers

Why do boreal forests accumulate more carbon over time compared to tropical forests?

Cool temperatures in boreal ecosystems slow down the breakdown of dead biomass. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a vital service provided by forests and trees?

Conserving biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of the North American Boreal Forest compared to other forest types?

It is the largest intact forest left on Earth. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key environmental challenge faced by urban areas?

Declining biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

How do boreal forests impact climate change?

They store almost twice as much carbon as tropical forests. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the early stages of community succession?

Low soil nutrients and abundant light Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following changes occur as succession progresses in a community?

Increased species diversity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to local variations in tree species in deciduous forests?

Gold mining activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason boreal forests are dominated by evergreens?

To adapt to the long severe winters. Signup and view all the answers

How do animal communities respond to changes in plant communities?

They adapt by migrating to track food availability. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following threats is NOT currently affecting the North American Boreal Forest?

Urban expansion Signup and view all the answers

What kind of data do Icarus tags collect from animals?

Temperature and GPS location data Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a service provided by trees?

Stabilization of soil nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What roles do photosynthesis, respiration, and evapotranspiration play in forest ecosystems?

They facilitate ecosystem services. Signup and view all the answers

Where is carbon stored in boreal forest ecosystems?

Within trees and underlying peatlands Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to animal migration in response to community changes?

Changing roosting and nesting sites Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of resilience in the context provided?

The capacity to maintain functioning and well-being despite disturbances. Signup and view all the answers

How do trees help in removing pollutants from the air?

By inhaling gases through their stomata. Signup and view all the answers

Which pollutants are specifically mentioned as being removed by trees?

Nitrogen dioxide and ozone. Signup and view all the answers

What type of particulate matter (PM) is defined as particles smaller than 2.5 μm?

PM2.5. Signup and view all the answers

What role do trees play in relation to surface flooding?

They capture water during rainstorms. Signup and view all the answers

In what way do trees contribute to mental health, according to the information provided?

By offering aesthetic benefits. Signup and view all the answers

What does tree canopy disparity refer to?

The unequal distribution of tree canopies in urban areas. Signup and view all the answers

What societal issues contribute to the challenges presented by tree canopy disparity?

Residential segregation and systemic racism. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Forest Ecology

Ecology is the study of the relationship between living things and their environment
Vegetation distribution is not random, but largely depends on climate gradients including light, temperature, moisture, soil nutrients, fire, competition, etc.
Biotic interactions (like mutualisms, competition, and parasitism) influence plant distribution.
Eastern deciduous forest (a temperate forest):
- Includes biotic and abiotic factors, disturbance and succession.
- Contains various types of forests such as Hemlock-white pine-northern hardwoods, Oak-chestnut, Oak-pine, Southeastern evergreen-southern mixed hardwood, Mixed and western mesophytic, Beech-maple, Maple-basswood, and Oak-hickory.
Boreal forest:
- Predominantly a conifer forest (sometimes called Taiga)
- Has short summers, long severe winters, and wet acidic soils.
Trees in cities:
- Offer ecosystem services such as shade, wind breaks, cleaner air, and storm water capture.
How do trees clean our air:
- Sequester carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Remove pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM).
- Act as physical barriers to block pollutants.
Tree canopy disparity:
- A lack of trees is an environmental injustice.
Ecological factors of the environment:
- Abiotic factors include solar radiation, temperature, fire, soil, and water.
- Biotic factors include: competition, commensalism, mutualism, parasitism, and predation.
- Mycorrhizae are an important mutualism in forests.
Fire as an ecological factor:
- Natural fires can be caused by lightning, sparks, volcanic activity, and human activity.
- Fire intensity, frequency, and behavior are influenced by several factors (climate, fuel amount, moisture, soil moisture).
Disturbance is a discrete event disrupting ecosystems, impacting substrates and resource availability, creating opportunities for new individuals, and is often a necessary and beneficial ecosystem process..
Agents of disturbance can includes wind, massive blow-downs, moving water, drought (prolonged), and fire.
Ecological Succession:
- The predictable recovery of an ecosystem after disruption.
- This process involves re-vegetation, and the replacement of one community with another over time.
- Examples of community attributes include soil nutrients, light, substrate, opportunistic species, biomass, species diversity, moisture, etc..
As plant communities change, animal communities also change, particularly in response to food availability and nesting/roosting sites.
Ecosystem services:
- Include purification of air and water, regulation of atmospheric composition, climate, and hydrological cycles.
Carbon storage by global forest biomes.
- Boreal forests store significant amounts of carbon.
Tips for identifying needle-leaved and broadleaf trees:
- Focus on characteristics like leaf arrangement, shape, size, and bark.
Tips for identifying birds:
- Consider size, shape, color pattern, behavior, habitat, songs, and calls. Consider field marks (eye rings, wing bars, etc).

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Description

This quiz explores the intricate relationships between living organisms and their environment, focusing on forest ecosystems. It covers various types of forests, their biotic and abiotic factors, and the ecological roles of trees in both natural and urban settings.