ecology short answers

Study Notes

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.