Mangroves: Abiotic and Biotic Factors

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following represents abiotic factors in mangrove environments?

Fish

Temperature (correct)

Manatees

Crabs

Which effect does competition among organisms in mangroves typically have?

It decreases biodiversity. (correct)

It enhances nutrient cycling.

It increases predation rates.

It limits access to light.

What is an example of an indirect effect of biotic factors in a mangrove ecosystem?

Nutrient depletion from the soil

Competition for water (correct)

Predation among crabs

Temperature fluctuations

Which of the following abiotic factors could negatively impact mangrove productivity?

Toxic substances Signup and view all the answers

How can anthropogenic factors influence mangrove ecosystems?

By changing salinity levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary principle of limiting factors in ecosystems?

Growth is controlled by the resource that is in shortest supply. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a limiting factor?

A factor with the lowest availability relative to the needs of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What effect can additional phosphorus have on a lake ecosystem?

It can lead to eutrophication, causing excessive growth of plant life. Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the concept of limiting factors in ecosystem productivity?

Justus von Liebig, recognized as the father of organic chemistry. Signup and view all the answers

Which nutrient is frequently identified as limiting lake productivity?

Phosphorus, which can restrict growth when in low supply. Signup and view all the answers

What is one outcome of environmental stressors on ecosystems?

Increase in mortality rates Signup and view all the answers

How do pollutants typically affect ecosystems with distance from the source?

Effects decrease with distance Signup and view all the answers

Which factors are included under anthropogenic stressors?

Diminishing wild populations Signup and view all the answers

What primarily drives changes in community structure following stress from pollutants?

Replacement of sensitive species by tolerant species Signup and view all the answers

What substance is mentioned as having toxic concentrations resulting from past emissions?

Copper Signup and view all the answers

What does resilience refer to in the context of environmental stressors?

The speed and degree of recovery following a disturbance Signup and view all the answers

Which type of stressor is characterized as having a powerful but short-lived impact?

Disturbance stressor Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of chronic stressors?

They have a long-term influence on ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Which organism is known for having high resilience to disturbances?

Jack Pine Signup and view all the answers

What does chemical stress typically refer to?

Toxicity caused by high concentrations of harmful substances Signup and view all the answers

What best characterizes a fundamental niche?

It encompasses the complete range of conditions for growth. Signup and view all the answers

How does lake eutrophication affect fish?

Promotes algae growth that depletes oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

What is a realized niche?

The resource use by a species considering interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What limits the growth of organisms in most ecosystems?

Unfavorable conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the limiting niche of geraniums?

Low frost tolerance. Signup and view all the answers

How do mangroves exemplify a fundamental niche?

They grow without competition for resources. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the relationship between fundamental and realized niches?

Realized niches are narrower due to competition and environmental factors. Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a reason for limiting growth in an ecosystem?

Abundance of nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily responsible for fish loss in eutrophic lakes?

Reduced oxygen from algal blooms. Signup and view all the answers

Which niche is affected by competition and limitations of resources?

Realized niche. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

Solar radiation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes ecological energetics?

The study of the capture and use of energy by organisms Signup and view all the answers

What do autotrophs primarily convert solar energy into?

Chemical energy in sugars Signup and view all the answers

What is released as a by-product during the process of photosynthesis?

Oxygen Signup and view all the answers

How is energy primarily lost from ecosystems after being fixed by autotrophs?

As heat through metabolic processes Signup and view all the answers

How many grasshoppers must be consumed to sustain 90,000 frogs?

27 million Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate percentage of energy lost at each trophic level?

80%-90% Signup and view all the answers

What substance is mentioned as an example of a toxic material accumulated through biomagnification?

DDT Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential human population limit proposed by ecologists based on ecological energetics?

10 billion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms describes the accumulation of toxic materials as they move up the food chain?

Biomagnification Signup and view all the answers

Which organisms are classified as photoautotrophs?

Plants and algae Signup and view all the answers

What process do photoautotrophs use to create energy-storing biomolecules?

Photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which wavelengths of light are most effectively captured by chlorophyll?

Blue and red Signup and view all the answers

What type of environments do chemoautotrophs primarily inhabit?

Deep oceanic vents Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines the role of autotrophs in ecosystems?

They provide energy for primary consumers. Signup and view all the answers

What by-products are produced during photosynthesis by photoautotrophs?

Oxygen and glucose Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of chlorophyll in relation to solar radiation?

It captures specific wavelengths for energy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following substances is primarily used by photoautotrophs in photosynthesis?

Carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What ecological role do photoautotrophs serve effectively?

Providing food for herbivores Signup and view all the answers

How do photoautotrophs contribute to the biosphere's productivity?

By converting solar energy into chemical energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of Net Primary Production (NPP)?

Gross primary production minus respiration by autotrophs Signup and view all the answers

Which biome has the highest net primary production rate?

Tropical rainforest Signup and view all the answers

How is productivity measured in ecological studies?

On a dry weight basis per unit area per year Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of energy do herbivores generally assimilate from their food?

10% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the low net primary productivity in open oceans?

Low nutrient availability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Gross Primary Production (GPP)?

Total energy captured by photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

In ecological pyramids, what happens to productivity as you move up trophic levels?

Declines due to energy loss Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary form of energy loss in ecosystems as energy transfers occur between trophic levels?

Respiration Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated global net production for marine ecosystems?

24.9 million tC/year Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following biomes has the lowest net primary production rate?

Tundra Signup and view all the answers

How much energy can a carnivore typically assimilate from its food?

20% Signup and view all the answers

Which ecosystem type is noted for having high productivity comparable to terrestrial ecosystems?

Reefs Signup and view all the answers

The concept of ecological pyramids relates to which of the following?

Energy transfer efficiency at each trophic level Signup and view all the answers

What role do mycorrhizal fungi play for photosynthetic plants?

Enhance absorption of nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary energy source for ecosystems on Earth?

Solar energy Signup and view all the answers

How do greenhouse gases affect Earth's average temperature?

They absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon results from anthropogenic increases in greenhouse gases?

Global warming Signup and view all the answers

Which process is primarily driven by solar energy on Earth?

Photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What does the first law of thermodynamics state?

Energy can be transformed but not created or destroyed. Signup and view all the answers

Why is energy needed in biological systems?

To create order and combat entropy. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the seasonal variations in solar energy in temperate zones?

Major fluctuations in biological activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

Elevation of Earth's average temperature Signup and view all the answers

How does solar radiation vary with latitude?

It is more concentrated at the equator. Signup and view all the answers

What outcomes may result from global warming?

Increased productivity and drought frequency Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of natural greenhouse gases in Earth's climate?

They trap heat and maintain temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between energy transformations and efficiency?

Some energy is always lost as waste heat. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding solar energy absorption by the atmosphere?

Most solar energy is absorbed in the upper atmosphere as heat. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the delayed release of solar energy?

Energy is stored in peat or fossil fuels over long periods. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mangroves Overview

Mangroves thrive in coastal intertidal zones, playing a critical role in coastal ecosystems.
They are influenced by both abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) environmental factors.

Abiotic Factors

Salinity: Fluctuating salt levels affect mangrove survival and growth.
Temperature: Influences metabolic processes and species distribution.
Moisture & Water Currents: Essential for nutrient cycling and ecosystem productivity.
Radiation & Wind Currents: Impact photosynthesis and stress levels in plants.
Nutrients & Toxic Substances: Availability of minerals affects growth and can be limiting.

Biotic Factors

Includes interactions with various species such as crabs, herons, fish, and manatees.
Intraspecific Competition: Competition among individuals of the same species within mangrove communities.
Interspecific Competition: Competition between different species for resources, affecting ecological balance.
Predation: Direct effects that influence population dynamics within the ecosystem.

Limiting Factors

Definition: A limiting factor is the resource that is in shortest supply relative to demand, controlling growth and productivity.
Phosphorus Limitation: Often limits aquatic ecosystems; excess can lead to eutrophication, causing overgrowth of algae and reduced oxygen levels.

Niche Concepts

Niche: The total environmental conditions that affect a species' growth, distribution, and reproduction.
Fundamental Niche: The full range of conditions under which a species can survive without competition.
Realized Niche: The observed niche after interactions with other species and environmental constraints are taken into account.

Environmental Stressors

Tolerance and Resilience: Organisms show varying capacities to endure environmental stressors, affecting survival and recovery.
Chronic vs. Disturbance Stressors: Chronic stressors persist over time while disturbance stressors are intense but short-lived.

Stress Types

Climatic Stress: Includes variables such as temperature and moisture.
Chemical Stress: High levels of toxins like lead or mercury that can cause harm.
Biological Stress: Arises from interactions among species, influencing community dynamics.

Anthropogenic Stressors

Human activities contribute to increased toxic substances and changes in climate and hydrology, stressing ecosystems.
Pollution impacts local ecosystems, with effects diminishing away from the pollution source.

Outcomes of Environmental Stressors

Can lead to reduced productivity, higher mortality rates, and reproductive challenges in affected species.
Sensitive species may decline, while more tolerant species can proliferate, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem structure.

Ecosystem Processes

Two main processes in ecosystems: energy flow and nutrient cycling.

Ecological Energetics

Focuses on how energy is fixed, transferred, and stored within ecosystem components.
Ecosystems function as open systems needing constant energy input.
Solar radiation is the primary energy source for most ecosystems.

Solar Energy

The electromagnetic spectrum includes various energy levels; visible light is essential for photosynthesis.
Green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria convert solar energy, carbon dioxide, and water into sugar and oxygen.
Photosynthetic reaction: Sunlight + 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Energy Use in Ecosystems

Autotrophs utilize fixed solar energy in their biomass, which can be transferred to other organisms or dissipated as heat.
Some energy is stored long-term as peat or fossil fuels, while other energy is stored temporarily in plants.

Role of Solar Energy

Aside from photosynthesis, solar energy drives essential ecological processes like water evaporation, atmospheric circulation, and ocean currents.
Seasonal variations in solar radiation can lead to significant biological activity fluctuations in temperate zones.

Thermodynamics in Ecosystems

First Law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed; only transformed.
Second Law: Energy transformations increase entropy, requiring energy to maintain order and efficiency.

Absorption and Reflection of Solar Energy

Approximately 70% of incoming solar energy is absorbed as heat in the upper atmosphere, while some is reflected or reabsorbed.
Greenhouse gases (CO2, methane) trap some infrared radiation, allowing Earth to maintain a habitable temperature (+15°C instead of -18°C).

Impact of Greenhouse Gases

Human activities like fossil fuel combustion and deforestation have increased greenhouse gas levels, potentially leading to global warming.
Warming may enhance productivity and decomposition, but can also cause droughts and impact species distribution.

Autotrophs in Energy Fixation

Autotrophs are primary producers, converting solar energy into biological materials, significantly influencing ecosystem productivity.
Photoautotrophs, including green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, utilize light for energy, while chemoautotrophs rely on inorganic compounds in extreme environments.

Ecological Productivity

Productivity refers to how quickly plants grow and how energy is fixed and biomass added.
Measured on a dry weight basis; productivity varies widely across biomes.
Gross Primary Production (GPP) is the total energy fixed, while Net Primary Production (NPP) considers energy used for respiration.

Productivity by Biome

Most productive environments have low constraints; e.g., tropical rainforests (9.0 tC/ha/yr) compared to tundra (0.65 tC/ha/yr).
Open oceans have low productivity (0.57 tC/ha/yr) due to nutrient scarcity, but account for a significant global production due to their vastness.

Food Chain Dynamics

Food chains depict linear feeding interactions and energy transfer.
Herbivores assimilate approximately 10% of consumed energy, while carnivores assimilate about 20%.

Energy Transfer Efficiency

At each trophic level, significant energy is lost as respiration, with 80-90% of energy not transferred to higher levels.
Ecological pyramids illustrate declining productivity with increasing trophic levels.

Human Impact on Ecological Energetics

Example: 300 trout are required to sustain one person for a year, highlighting the inefficiency of energy transfer in food webs.### Trophic Levels and Energy Transfer
Trout must consume 90,000 frogs, which rely on 27 million grasshoppers that feed on 1,000 tons of grass.
Approximately 80%-90% of energy is lost at each trophic level.
An energy pyramid illustrates energy loss through each level from primary producers to top consumers.

Human Population and Ecological Energetics

Current global human population is about 7.9 billion.
Ecosystem sustainability suggests Earth could support up to 10 billion people.
Lower trophic level diets (eating plants or primary consumers) are advocated for greater sustainability.

Biomagnification of Toxins

Biomagnification refers to the increasing concentration of toxic substances as they move up the food chain.
Humans produce synthetic toxins (e.g., DDT, organochlorides) not found naturally in the environment.
These substances accumulate in higher quantities within top predators, causing potential ecological and health risks.

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Description

Explore the crucial abiotic and biotic factors affecting mangrove ecosystems. This quiz covers saltwater levels, environmental influences, and the roles of various organisms like crabs, herons, and manatees. Delve into the interactions that shape these vital coastal communities.