ecology short answers

Questions and Answers

What formula is used to estimate the number of rabbits living in a habitat based on the trapping data?

Number caught on Day 1 x Number caught on Day 2 / Number caught on Day 2 that were tagged x 100

Name one reason for the initial rapid increase in the rabbit population mentioned in the data.

No predators

List two possible effects on an ecosystem resulting from the extinction of a plant species.

Soil erosion and fewer nutrients present

What is one advantage and one disadvantage of using biological control for pest management?

Advantage: No harmful chemicals are used. Disadvantage: Balance of nature is upset. Signup and view all the answers

Suggest one reason why the rabbit numbers were able to recover after the initial trapping.

Rabbits developed immunity Signup and view all the answers

Name three factors that can affect human population dynamics.

War, famine, disease Signup and view all the answers

Identify two reasons for the rapid increase in the human population since the mid-1800s.

Better nutrition and new technologies Signup and view all the answers

What could happen to biological diversity as the human population continues to grow?

It could decrease Signup and view all the answers

What are three main strategies for minimizing waste?

Reduce, reuse, and recycle Signup and view all the answers

Define pollution in simple terms.

Any harmful addition to the environment Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Environmental Factors Influencing Organisms

Light intensity significantly affects the distribution of plants and animals.
Daisies thrive in strong light; bluebells adapt to low light and prefer shady areas.
Temperature influences chemical reactions; aquatic organisms are less tolerant to temperature changes, with a slight 5°C shift being lethal for fish.
Coastal plants in the intertidal zone adapt to substantial environmental changes several times daily.

Edaphic Factors

pH levels influence soil acidity/alkalinity, crucial for nutrient availability; most plants prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soils.
Mineral content, derived from bedrock, is essential for plant growth and development.
Water content is vital for dissolving nutrients in the soil; insufficient water causes wilting and reduced photosynthesis, while excess water can suffocate roots.
Humus enriches soil with nutrients from decaying matter and improves moisture retention.

Abiotic Factors and Their Effects

Altitude: Cooler and wetter conditions at higher altitudes prevent tree growth.
Aspect: North-facing slopes are cooler; more vegetation is found on warmer south-facing slopes.
Steepness: Steep slopes experience rapid water loss, making growth difficult.
Temperature: Affects organism growth rates; higher temperatures lead to active growth in summer, hibernation in winter.
Humidity: High humidity reduces evaporation, affecting organisms like woodlice in decaying leaves.
Day length: Influences plant germination and flowering, and animal migration based on seasonal changes.
Light intensity: Crucial for photosynthesis; trees grow taller to access more light.
Wind: Causes physical damage; trees thrive on sheltered sides to avoid wind stresses.

Pollution Solutions

Address pollution to maintain fish populations; overfishing mitigated via quotas.
Use large-mesh nets to allow juvenile fish to escape and reproduce.
Monitor water quality with sampling and analysis to inform fisheries management.

Waste Management

Waste management minimizes pollution and conserves resources through strategic practices.
Slurry, a nutrient-rich waste, can lead to algal blooms and subsequent oxygen depletion in water bodies; controlled nutrient release improves water quality.
Waste disposal problems include vermin attraction, odor issues, and potential groundwater contamination.

Microorganisms in Waste Management

Sewage, consisting of organic human waste, is treated biologically to break down materials and eliminate pathogens before repurposing as fertilizer.
Bioremediation employs microorganisms to clean up pollution, including oil spills.

Importance of Waste Minimization

Reducing waste conserves natural resources; strategies include reducing packaging, reusing materials, and recycling.
Composting organic waste enriches soil and promotes plant growth.

Ecological Relationships and Population Control

Competition occurs for shared resources; interspecific (between species) and intraspecific (within a species) competition can reduce populations.
Types of competition include contest (physical confrontation) and scramble (resource optimization).
Example of competition: Grass species compete for light and nutrients.

Effects on Ecosystems

Extinction of a plant species can lead to soil erosion and reduced nutrient availability.
Biological control offers chemical-free pest management but can disrupt ecological balance.

Human Population Factors

Factors affecting human populations include war, famine, disease, and natural disasters.
Rapid human population growth is attributed to better nutrition, improved hygiene, and technology advancements.

Biological Diversity and Waste Generation

Ongoing population increase poses risks to biological diversity, likely leading to its decline.
Waste minimization remains critical through reducing, reusing, and recycling practices.
Pollution is defined as any harmful addition to the environment.
Microorganisms aid in pollution control through decomposition.

Nitrogen and Carbon Cycles

Plants play essential roles in both nitrogen and carbon cycles, contributing to nutrient cycling and atmospheric balance.
Animals participate in these cycles, influencing nutrient distribution and fostering ecosystem stability.

Description

This quiz explores the influence of light intensity and temperature on the distribution and survival of various plants and animals. Understand how these environmental factors affect species like daisies and bluebells. Test your knowledge on the importance of these elements in ecosystems.