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Questions and Answers
What is the concept of 'Natural Selection' primarily focused on?
What is the concept of 'Natural Selection' primarily focused on?
The 'Tree of Life' metaphor describes individual species without considering their common ancestors.
The 'Tree of Life' metaphor describes individual species without considering their common ancestors.
False
What term describes the maximum population size that an environment can sustain based on available resources?
What term describes the maximum population size that an environment can sustain based on available resources?
Carrying Capacity
____ is the largest amount of a resource that can be harvested sustainably without depleting the resource base.
____ is the largest amount of a resource that can be harvested sustainably without depleting the resource base.
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Match the following concepts with their correct definitions:
Match the following concepts with their correct definitions:
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Which principle states that all species, living and extinct, share a single evolutionary history?
Which principle states that all species, living and extinct, share a single evolutionary history?
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Populations can grow indefinitely without limitations.
Populations can grow indefinitely without limitations.
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What is the term for the phenomenon where overuse of shared resources leads to depletion?
What is the term for the phenomenon where overuse of shared resources leads to depletion?
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According to Darwin's theory, __________ and reproduction cause genetic changes over time.
According to Darwin's theory, __________ and reproduction cause genetic changes over time.
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Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
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What does the term 'co-evolution' refer to?
What does the term 'co-evolution' refer to?
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Humans are inherently competitive and do not rely on cooperation for survival.
Humans are inherently competitive and do not rely on cooperation for survival.
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What is the primary mechanism provided by Darwin for the process of evolution?
What is the primary mechanism provided by Darwin for the process of evolution?
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What principle states that no two species can coexist using the same limiting resource?
What principle states that no two species can coexist using the same limiting resource?
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The 10% Rule indicates that all introduced species will become invasive.
The 10% Rule indicates that all introduced species will become invasive.
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What term describes the maximum population an environment can support?
What term describes the maximum population an environment can support?
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The role of a species in its ecosystem is known as its ______.
The role of a species in its ecosystem is known as its ______.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Which of the following factors affects species distribution?
Which of the following factors affects species distribution?
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Predation has no significant impact on prey population dynamics.
Predation has no significant impact on prey population dynamics.
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What term refers to the beneficial relationships between different species?
What term refers to the beneficial relationships between different species?
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What does co-evolution of species primarily involve?
What does co-evolution of species primarily involve?
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Humans and chimps evolved from one another.
Humans and chimps evolved from one another.
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What is the term for the smallest size a population can be to survive long-term?
What is the term for the smallest size a population can be to survive long-term?
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All populations face a nonzero chance of __________.
All populations face a nonzero chance of __________.
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What is the primary factor that limits population growth of species?
What is the primary factor that limits population growth of species?
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The Climate Stability Hypothesis suggests that regions with unstable climates support higher species diversity.
The Climate Stability Hypothesis suggests that regions with unstable climates support higher species diversity.
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Which of the following is a misconception about evolution?
Which of the following is a misconception about evolution?
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Extinction risks are higher for small and isolated populations.
Extinction risks are higher for small and isolated populations.
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What is the term for the diversity within a single area or ecosystem?
What is the term for the diversity within a single area or ecosystem?
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What is the primary focus for conservation priorities in relation to populations?
What is the primary focus for conservation priorities in relation to populations?
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The innate tendency of humans to connect with nature is known as __________.
The innate tendency of humans to connect with nature is known as __________.
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According to the Species-Area Relationship, how does the size of an area affect species diversity?
According to the Species-Area Relationship, how does the size of an area affect species diversity?
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The logistical growth model leads to indefinite population growth.
The logistical growth model leads to indefinite population growth.
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What is the relationship between immigration and species diversity on islands according to Island Biogeography Theory?
What is the relationship between immigration and species diversity on islands according to Island Biogeography Theory?
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What is the primary goal of sustainable harvesting?
What is the primary goal of sustainable harvesting?
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Logistic growth means that population growth slows as it approaches carrying capacity.
Logistic growth means that population growth slows as it approaches carrying capacity.
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What is the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) in relation to carrying capacity?
What is the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) in relation to carrying capacity?
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The concept of 'Tragedy of the Commons' refers to overuse of _____ resources.
The concept of 'Tragedy of the Commons' refers to overuse of _____ resources.
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Match each ecological principle with its relevant description:
Match each ecological principle with its relevant description:
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Which of the following is a challenge associated with sustainable harvesting?
Which of the following is a challenge associated with sustainable harvesting?
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Indigenous management practices generally promote biodiversity.
Indigenous management practices generally promote biodiversity.
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What can be a consequence of eating lower on the food chain?
What can be a consequence of eating lower on the food chain?
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Study Notes
Key Principles of Ecology
- Populations evolve genetically over time in response to environmental pressures.
- Interacting species influence each other's evolution (e.g., predator-prey).
- All species share a single evolutionary history.
- Populations naturally fluctuate in abundance due to environmental and biological factors.
- Population growth is limited by resources and environmental constraints.
- Populations can be sustainably harvested with proper management.
- Communities are diverse, shaped by interacting species, biodiversity, and climate/geography.
- All populations eventually go extinct, shaping biodiversity.
- Communities change in response to environmental changes.
- Nutrient cycles are essential for ecosystems and sustainability.
- Ecosystems provide air, water, and food.
- Overuse of shared resources leads to depletion.
- Humans are cooperative by nature.
Darwin's Contributions to Evolutionary Theory
- Darwin provided the mechanism of natural selection.
- Darwin popularized the term "survival of the fittest." (though he didn't coin it).
- Organisms vary in traits, some of which are heritable.
Co-evolution of Species
- Species evolve in response to each other, leading to reciprocal adaptations.
- Examples include predator-prey relationships, human impacts on biodiversity, and intentional (agriculture) and unintentional (antibiotic resistance) co-evolution.
One True Tree of Life
- Species are connected through evolutionary lineages.
- Humans and chimps share a common ancestor.
- Evolution is not linear; it's highly branching.
Populations Fluctuate in Abundance
- Extinction is inevitable for all populations.
- Small, isolated populations are more vulnerable to extinction.
- Minimum Viable Population (MVP) is the smallest size for a population to survive long term.
- Meta-populations are linked by migration, with source populations producing excess individuals and sink populations needing immigrants to persist.
- Conservation focuses on preserving source and meta-population structures.
Additional Topics
- Reciprocity with the land leads to deep connections and sustainability.
- Humans have an innate tendency to connect with nature.
Energy and Diversity in Ecosystems
- Energy limits the complexity of ecosystems.
- Higher net primary productivity (NPP) supports more individuals and species.
- Diversity types exist within ecosystems (alpha, beta, gamma).
Climate and Diversity
- Climate harshness limits the number of species in a region.
- Stable tropical climates support higher species diversity than variable temperate regions.
- Historical events and evolutionary rates influence species diversity in different areas.
- Species-area relationships state larger areas support more species.
Community Ecology and Sustainability
- Key interactions among species include predation and competition.
- Mutualism describes beneficial relationships between species.
- Harvesting affects entire communities.
- Sustainable harvesting considers community impacts.
- Species distribution factors include habitat availability, evolutionary history and barriers to movement.
- Invasive species impact native species.
Sustainable Practices
- Harvest sustainably (less than maximum sustainable yield).
- Evaluate community-wide impacts of human activity
Patterns of Biodiversity
- Biodiversity is not evenly distributed across the planet.
- Energy limits the number of species an ecosystem can support.
- Extinction rates increase as the species richness in an environment increases.
Sustainable Harvesting
- Take "interest" (growth) while preserving "capital" (population size).
- Example practices that follow this principle include early human practices like hunting mammoths or gathering medicinal plants.
- Population growth can follow exponential or logistic growth models.
Indigenous Knowledge & Active Management
- Indigenous practices use controlled burns to promote biodiversity.
- Controlled burns provide materials like birch.
- Other active management approaches including fire prevention are needed for top predators, grazing, and maintenance.
Energy Flows and Dissipates
- Usable energy decreases, entropy increases in a closed system.
- Energy dissipates as heat in an open system (Earth).
- Ecological implications: higher extinction risks and reduced ecological footprints for higher trophic levels.
Nutrient Cycles
- Energy flows, nutrients cycle (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus).
Ecosystem Services
- Examples include pollination, climate regulation, and water supply from various ecosystems.
- Ecosystem services are economically valuable.
Tragedy of the Commons
- Public resources are overused when individual benefits outweigh shared costs.
Cooperation and Mutualism
- Cooperation is as significant as competition.
- Strategies for encouraging cooperation include kin selection, reciprocity, repeated interactions, incentives, and even punishment.
Tree of Life
- Species branching from common ancestors.
Carrying Capacity
- Maximum population environment can sustain based upon the resources available.
Biophilia
- Innate tendency to seek connections to nature and other forms of life.
Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)
- Largest amount of a resource that can be sustainably harvested without depleting it.
Species-Area Relationship
- Larger areas generally support more species due to greater habitat diversity.
Ecological Niche
- Role and position of a species in its environment, including resources used and interactions with other organisms.
Extinction Risk
- Likelihood of a species becoming extinct, influenced by factors such as population size and habitat conditions.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of ecology, focusing on population dynamics, species interactions, and environmental influences. It also discusses Darwin's contributions to evolutionary theory, particularly natural selection and the shared history of species. Test your knowledge on the principles that govern ecological systems and evolutionary processes.
