Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is NOT a reason why organisms may not occupy all potentially suitable habitats?
What is NOT a reason why organisms may not occupy all potentially suitable habitats?
What does community ecology primarily focus on?
What does community ecology primarily focus on?
Local climates can be influenced by mountain ranges.
Local climates can be influenced by mountain ranges.
True
What process occurs as the surface water warms to 4°C in lakes during spring?
What process occurs as the surface water warms to 4°C in lakes during spring?
Signup and view all the answers
Biogeography only examines the current distribution of species and ignores historical factors.
Biogeography only examines the current distribution of species and ignores historical factors.
Signup and view all the answers
During summer, a lake stratifies into three layers: Epilimnion, Metalimnion, and __________.
During summer, a lake stratifies into three layers: Epilimnion, Metalimnion, and __________.
Signup and view all the answers
What experimental method could provide insights into the distribution limitations of species?
What experimental method could provide insights into the distribution limitations of species?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Signup and view all the answers
Ecosystem ecology includes the study of all abiotic factors plus all __________ in a certain area.
Ecosystem ecology includes the study of all abiotic factors plus all __________ in a certain area.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the fields of ecology with their focus areas:
Match the fields of ecology with their focus areas:
Signup and view all the answers
Which abiotic factor can increase heat and water loss in environments?
Which abiotic factor can increase heat and water loss in environments?
Signup and view all the answers
Fall turnover in lakes only occurs in warmer climates.
Fall turnover in lakes only occurs in warmer climates.
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor is NOT typically examined in population ecology?
Which factor is NOT typically examined in population ecology?
Signup and view all the answers
Name one biotic factor that can affect the distribution of organisms.
Name one biotic factor that can affect the distribution of organisms.
Signup and view all the answers
What factors can influence the distribution of species according to biogeography?
What factors can influence the distribution of species according to biogeography?
Signup and view all the answers
The global ecosystem is referred to as the biosphere.
The global ecosystem is referred to as the biosphere.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following are characteristics of oligotrophic lakes?
Which of the following are characteristics of oligotrophic lakes?
Signup and view all the answers
Coral reefs are often referred to as the 'rainforests of the sea' due to their low biodiversity.
Coral reefs are often referred to as the 'rainforests of the sea' due to their low biodiversity.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main source of energy for organisms living in deep-sea vents?
What is the main source of energy for organisms living in deep-sea vents?
Signup and view all the answers
An _________ is a unique ecosystem where freshwater meets saltwater, providing a rich area for biodiversity.
An _________ is a unique ecosystem where freshwater meets saltwater, providing a rich area for biodiversity.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following biome types to their descriptions:
Match the following biome types to their descriptions:
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of lake is nutrient-rich and can have low oxygen levels due to high algae productivity?
Which type of lake is nutrient-rich and can have low oxygen levels due to high algae productivity?
Signup and view all the answers
Wetlands are often considered wastelands and have low productivity.
Wetlands are often considered wastelands and have low productivity.
Signup and view all the answers
Name one human activity that heavily affects rivers and streams.
Name one human activity that heavily affects rivers and streams.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere
- Ecology is the study of the "house/environment" in which we live.
- It's a branch of biology studying interactions among organisms and their physical surroundings.
- The word "ecology" comes from Greek origins:
- OIKOS = household
- LOGOS = study of
Ecology and its Components
-
Ecology studies interactions between non-living components of the environment, like:
- Light
- Water
- Wind
- Nutrients in soil
- Heat
- Solar radiation
- Atmosphere
-
To study Ecology is complex and involves various subjects:
- For non-living (abiotic): Climatology, Hydrology, Oceanography, Physics, Chemistry, Geology, soil analysis
- For living (biotic): Animal behavior, Taxonomy, Physiology, math (population studies)
-
Ecology was historically an observational science, often descriptive like natural history.
-
An organism's environment has both abiotic and biotic components.
- Abiotic: non-living chemical and physical factors (e.g., temperature, light, water, nutrients)
- Biotic: living factors (e.g., other organisms)
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Ecology and evolutionary biology are closely related.
- Ecological events (minutes, days, years) have evolutionary effects (decades, millennia).
- For example, hawks feeding on mice can lead to selection for mice with fur camouflage
Scales of Ecological Research
- Ecological research ranges from individuals to the biosphere.
- Organismal Ecology: studies how an individual interacts with its environment.
- Population Ecology: the study of a group of individuals of the same species.
- Community Ecology: studies all interacting species in a particular area.
- Ecosystem Ecology: includes all abiotic factors plus all organisms in a certain area.
- Landscape Ecology: studies the interactions among ecosystems.
- Biosphere: is the global ecosystem.
Factors Affecting Distribution of Organisms
-
Biogeography: study of past and present distribution of individual species. It examines how species and ecosystems are distributed, factors like climate, topography, and historical events (e.g., continental drift, glaciation).
-
Species absence may not always be due to unsuitable environments.
- Organisms may not occupy all potentially suitable habitats.
- Evolution takes time, so environmental changes can outpace adaptation.
- Lack of necessary biotic factors (e.g., pollinators, predators) can also play a role.
-
Dispersal: the process of individuals colonizing a habitat is limited by movement.
Abiotic Factors Affecting Distribution
- Abiotic factors influence distribution. Examples of these factors include:
- Temperature (range 0-45 C)
- Water
- Sunlight
- Wind
- Rocks and soil
Aquatic Biomes
- Aquatic biomes cover about 75% of Earth's surface.
- Wetlands: water covers soil or is near surface.
- Lakes, Rivers, Streams
- Intertidal zones (where land meets ocean)
- Oceanic pelagic biome (open ocean waters)
- Benthos (organisms living on, in, or near the bottom of bodies of water)
- Coral reefs: "rainforests of the sea."
Aquatic Biomes (continued)
- Oligotrophic lakes are nutrient-poor, clear, oxygen-rich, deep and have little primary productivity (e.g., Crater Lake).
- Eutrophic lakes are nutrient-rich, murky, have lots of algal productivity, and have low oxygen levels at times (e.g., Lake Erie, Lake Taihu).
- Rivers and Streams: Often influenced by human activities such as dams and waste disposal
- Estuaries: Where freshwater meets the ocean which are highly productive regions vital for fisheries and water fowl, often polluted.
Terrestrial Biomes
- Tropical Forest: Vertical stratification with trees blocking light to lower strata.
- Savanna: Grasslands with seasonal drought and fires; home to large grazing animals.
- Desert: Sparse rainfall (<30 cm per year), plants and animals adapted for water storage.
- Chaparral: Dense, spiny shrubs; periodic fires necessary for the germination of some plants.
- Temperate Grassland: Seasonal drought and fire; grazing by large animals; rich habitat for agriculture.
- Temperate Deciduous Forest: Mid-latitudes, moderate moisture; distinct vertical strata with trees, understory shrubs, and herbaceous layer.
- Coniferous Forest: Large terrestrial biome, often with lots of moisture as rain or snow.
- Tundra: Permafrost, bitter cold; no trees; high winds.
Lake Stratification and Mixing
- Lake stratification and mixing is dependent on temperature changes.
- Temperature changes create layers of water with different densities, which affects oxygen and nutrient levels resulting in either stratification (summer) or mixing (fall and spring).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the fascinating field of ecology, which examines the intricate interactions between living organisms and their non-living environment. This quiz covers essential components such as abiotic and biotic factors, and it delves into various scientific disciplines involved in ecological studies.
