lecture 4 extension notecards-ecology .pdf

Describe the process of CO diffusion into oceans and impact on pH, the chemical reactions involved and resulting effects on seawater acidity and carbonate ion availability. When CO2 diff into oceans, it with water to formic acid, leading an increase in hydrogen ions and a decrease in pH. This decrea...

Describe the process of CO diffusion into oceans and impact on pH, the chemical reactions involved and resulting effects on seawater acidity and carbonate ion availability. When CO2 diff into oceans, it with water to formic acid, leading an increase in hydrogen ions and a decrease in pH. This decrease in pH reduces the availability of carbonate ions, hind marine organisms' ability to build calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. Explain the challenges faced by marine organisms in shell formation at lower pH levels associated with ocean acidification, and how the decrease in carbonate ion availability affects their growth, shell strength, and survival rates. At lower pH levels, marine organisms struggle to extract carbonate ions from the water to build and maintain their calcium carbonate structures. This increased metabolic cost and decreased availability of carbonate ions can lead to slower growth rates, weakened shells, and reduced survival rates for these organisms. Define and describe the concept of limiting factors in terrestrial environments, providing examples of both abiotic and biotic factors and explaining their impact on the growth, distribution, and productivity of organisms within ecosystems. Limiting factors are environmental conditions or resources that restrict the growth, distribution, abundance, or productivity of organisms within an ecosystem. Examples include water, nutrients, light, temperature, pH, soil type, and biotic interactions, and they play a crucial role in shaping the structure and dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems. Describe the concept of water balance in terrestrial ecosystems, outlining the components that influence it and explaining its importance in assessing water availability, drought risk, and ecosystem resilience to climate change. Water balance refers to the equilibrium between water inputs and outputs in a particular ecosystem, influenced by factors such as climate, topography, soil characteristics, and vegetation cover. Understanding water balance is crucial for assessing water availability, drought risk, and ecosystem resilience to climate change. Explain the relationship between canopy cover, light interception, and leaf area index (LAI) in terrestrial environments, and discuss how canopy cover influences factors such as microclimate, soil moisture, and habitat suitability for wildlife. Canopy cover refers to the extent of vegetation forming a continuous layer over land, affecting light interception, microclimate, soil moisture, and wildlife habitat. Leaf area index (LAI) quantifies the leaf area per unit ground area, influencing light interception and photosynthetic activity. Describe the role of limestone in neutralizing acidity in waters draining limestone, including the chemical reactions involved and how this process helps maintain the alkalinity of the water. Waters draining limestone tend to be more basic due to the buffering capacity of calcium carbonate in neutralizing acidity. When acidic water comes into contact with limestone, it reacts with the calcium carbonate to form bicarbonate ions and calcium ions, effectively neutralizing the acidity and maintaining the alkalinity of the water. Describe the factors influencing light within a terrestrial ecosystem and its essential role in supporting plant growth and productivity. Light availability within a terrestrial ecosystem is influenced by factors such as canopy structure, leaf density, canopy openness, and sun angle. Light is essential for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, supporting plant growth, productivity, and carbon sequestration. Define Leaf Area Index (LAI) and explain its significance in reflecting the density and distribution of leaves within vegetation and its impact on canopy structure and productivity. Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a measure of the total leaf surface area per unit ground area within a canopy. It reflects the density and distribution of leaves within vegetation and serves as an indicator of canopy structure, photosynthetic capacity, and productivity. High LAI values indicate dense vegetation with greater light interception and potential for carbon assimilation. How do canopy cover, light availability, and LAI influence ecosystem processes and the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems across different biomes and climatic regions? Canopy cover, light availability, and LAI are critical for regulating ecosystem processes such as energy capture, carbon cycling, water balance, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity. They influence plant growth, species composition, ecosystem productivity, and the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems across different biomes and climatic regions. Describe the ecological significance of understanding limiting factors, water balance, canopy cover, light availability, and leaf area index in comprehending the structure, function, and dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding limiting factors, water balance, canopy cover, light availability, and leaf area index is essential for comprehending the structure, function, and dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems. These concepts provide insights into ecosystem resilience, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and the impacts of environmental change on terrestrial landscapes. Do percentages of light being reflected by the top of the canopy in a forest or vegetation cover relate to the phenomenon of albedo? Explain the significance of different percentages such as 10% and 20% being reflected. When we talk about percentages of light being reflected by the top of the canopy in a forest or vegetation cover, we are referring to the phenomenon of albedo, which is the proportion of incoming solar radiation that is reflected back into the atmosphere. In scenarios where 10% or 20% of incoming sunlight is reflected by the top of the canopy, it provides insights into the density and structure of vegetation cover, as well as the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the ecosystem. How does the quality of light, including the spectral composition and specific wavelengths, influence photosynthesis and other plant processes? The quality of light refers to the spectral composition or the specific wavelengths of light that are available for photosynthesis and other plant processes. Different pigments within plants have specific absorption spectra, meaning they absorb light most efficiently at particular wavelengths. Describe the absorption spectrum and color impact of Chlorophyll a and Chlorophyll b, and explain why they appear green to our eyes. Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are the primary pigments responsible for capturing light energy during photosynthesis. Chlorophyll a absorbs light most efficiently in the blue and red regions of the spectrum, with peak absorption in the blue (around 430 nm) and red (around 660 nm) wavelengths. Chlorophylls appear green to our eyes because they absorb light primarily in the blue and red wavelengths, while reflecting or transmitting green light. Describe the role of caroids in plant pigments and their impact on the coloration of fruits, flowers, and fall foliage. Carotenoids are accessory pigments that broaden the range of light absorption and provide photoprotection against excess light energy. They absorb light primarily in the blue-green and blue-violet regions of the spectrum, contributing to the yellow, orange, and red colors observed in many fruits, flowers, and fall foliage. Define phycoerythrin and phycocyanin and explain their absorption spectra and color impact in algae and cyanobacteria. Phycoerythrin and phycocyanin are pigments found in certain types of algae and cyanobacteria. Phycoerythrin absorbs light most efficiently in the blue-green region of the spectrum, while phycocyanin absorbs light in the blue region. They contribute to the coloration of algae and cyanobacteria in aquatic ecosystems, imparting red, pink, and blue-green hues. How does the quality of light influence the absorption and reflection characteristics of plant pigments, and what is the significance of understanding these roles? The quality of light influences plant pigments' absorption and reflection characteristics, affecting the colors observed in plants and algae. Understanding these roles is essential for studying plant physiology, ecosystem dynamics, and the visual aesthetics of natural environments. Describe the concept of height above ground in forests and its implications on vegetation structure and environmental conditions. Height above ground refers to the vertical distance from the forest floor to a specific point within the canopy. It influences light availability, temperature, humidity, wind exposure, and nutrient availability within the forest, leading to variations in growth patterns, leaf morphology, physiological adaptations, and species diversity. Explain the concept of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and its implications on primary productivity, carbon assimilation, and ecosystem functioning in forests. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) refers to the portion of sunlight in the visible spectrum that plants use for photosynthesis. PAR availability influences primary productivity, carbon assimilation, plant growth, and ecosystem functioning in forests, with direct sunlight supporting efficient photosynthesis and growth. How does the relationship between height above ground and the proportion of available PAR at the top of the canopy provide insights into forest biome characteristics and vegetation zonation? The relationship between height above ground and PAR availability can infer the type of biome present in a forest, delineate distinct vegetation zones or strata, and identify forest layers and vegetation communities, providing valuable information about forest structure, ecosystem dynamics, and biome characteristics. Describe the role of regionalology in influencing soil formation and characteristics, including the impact of factors such as bedrock composition, geological history, and sedimentary deposits. Regional geology plays a crucial role in soil formation through the weathering and breakdown of bedrock and geological formations. Different types of bedrock yield distinct soil types with unique physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties. For example, granite weathers into sandy soils with low fertility, while limestone weathers into alkaline soils rich in calcium and magnesium. How does climate influence soil formation processes and what are the mechanisms through which it impacts soil development? Climate influences soil formation processes through mechanisms such as temperature, precipitation, and seasonality. Warmer climates accelerate weathering processes and organic matter decomposition, while high rainfall areas may have leached, acidic soils. Seasonal variations impact soil moisture regimes and vegetation dynamics, leading to temporal changes in soil properties. Define the concept of soil parent material and explain its influence on soil texture, structure, nutrient content, and pH. Soil parent material refers to the composition and characteristics of the material from which the soil developed. It influences soil texture, structure, nutrient content, and pH through processes such as physical disintegration, chemical decomposition, and biological activity, resulting in soils with distinct properties. Describe the significance of understanding the interactions between regional geology and climate in shaping soil diversity and distribution across landscapes. The interaction between regional geology and climate leads to a diverse array of soil types and characteristics across landscapes. Soil properties such as texture, structure, color, pH, fertility, and drainage reflect the combined influence of geological parent material and climatic conditions. Define climate and its impact on soil formation, including the influence of temperature, precipitation, and seasonal variability. Climate refers to the long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, and other atmospheric conditions in a region. It influences soil formation through mechanisms such as temperature affecting rates of chemical weathering, precipitation influencing soil moisture levels and leaching of minerals, and seasonal variability impacting soil moisture regimes and vegetation dynamics. Do regional geology and climate interact to influence the formation of specific soil types adapted to prevailing environmental conditions? Provide examples to support your answer. Yes, regional geology and climate interact to support the formation of specific soil types adapted to prevailing environmental conditions. For example, soils in tropical rainforests are typically highly weathered, acidic, and nutrient-poor, whereas soils in temperate grasslands may be more fertile and well-drained. Describe the five primary factors soil formation and their roles in the pedogenic process. Soil formation, or pedogenesis, is influenced by five primary factors: parent material, climate, organisms, topography, and time. Parent material determines soil properties, climate affects weathering and moisture, organisms contribute to bioturbation and nutrient cycling, topography influences water movement and erosion, and time determines soil properties and maturity. Define soil profiles and the distinct characteristics of each soil horizon, including their roles in soil formation and ecosystem dynamics. Soil profiles are vertical sections of soil layers with distinct horizons. O Horizon contains organic matter, A Horizon is topsoil vital for plant growth, E Horizon experiences leaching, B Horizon accumulates minerals and clays, C Horizon is partially weathered parent material, and R Horizon is unweathered bedrock. These horizons influence soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and water retention. How do soil type controls such as water availability and nutrient availability influence plant growth and ecosystem dynamics? Soil type controls like water availability, influenced by texture and structure, affect water retention, infiltration, and drainage. Nutrient availability, influenced by pH, organic matter, and nutrient cycling, controls plant growth. These factors impact ecosystem hydrology, root development, and nutrient cycling processes. Describe the role of ion exchange capacity (CEC) in soil and its impact on nutrient availability for plants. Ion exchange capacity (CEC) refers to the soil's ability to retain and exchange positively charged ions. Soils with higher CEC can hold more nutrients and buffer against leaching, enhancing nutrient availability for plants. CEC is influenced by soil properties like clay content, organic matter, and pH. Do a detailed analysis of the role of earthworms in soil development within a temperate deciduous forest ecosystem. Earthworms, common soil-dwelling organisms, contribute to soil development through bioturbation and organic matter decomposition. They ingest organic material from the forest floor and mix it with mineral soil as they burrow, aiding in the formation of distinct soil horizons such as the O Horizon (Organic Layer). Describe the significance of soil in supporting diverse life forms and ecosystem functions on Earth, and its importance in ecosystem management and environmental sustainability. Soil serves as a critical interface between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, supporting diverse life forms and ecosystem functions. Understanding soil properties is essential for ecosystem management, agricultural productivity, soil conservation, and environmental sustainability, as it influences plant growth, water fate, and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Describe the process of soil formation and characteristics of each soil horizon, from the organic layer to the bedrock, and it leads to the development of a well-developed soil. Soil formation involves the organic layer providing nutrients and carbon, the topsoil rich in organic matter and biota, the leaching zone where minerals are leached, the subsoil enriched with clay minerals, the parent material, and the underlying bedrock. Over time, these horizons develop into a welldeveloped soil, rich in organic matter and nutrients, supporting diverse vegetation and ecosystem functions. How does soil type influence water availability in terrestrial ecosystems, considering soil texture, structure, and depth? Soil type influences water availability through its texture, with sandy soils draining quickly but drying out fast, and clay soils retaining water but risking waterlogging. Soil structure also plays a role, with wellstructured soils balancing water infiltration and retention, while poorly-structured soils may lead to runoff and erosion. Additionally, soil depth affects water availability, with shallow soils having limited water storage capacity and deep soils providing a larger reservoir for plant roots to access. Define the role of soil texture in determining water retention and drainage capabilities, focusing on sandy and clay soils. Soil texture refers to the proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles in the soil. Sandy soils have large particles and drain quickly, leading to low water retention, while clay soils have fine particles and retain water, potentially causing waterlogging. These differences in texture influence how water moves through the soil profile and its availability to plants. Describe the influence of soil structure on water infiltration and retention, highlighting the differences between well-structured and poorly-structured soils. Soil structure refers to the arrangement of soil particles into aggregates. Well-structured soils have balanced pore sizes, facilitating both water infiltration and retention, while poorly-structured soils, like compacted soils, may have reduced pore spaces, leading to limited water infiltration, surface runoff, and erosion. This affects the availability of water for plants. Explain the impact of soil depth on water availability and plant resilience, comparing shallow and deep soils. Soil depth influences water availability, with shallow soils having limited water storage capacity and drying out quickly, particularly during dry periods. In contrast, deep soils can store more water, supporting deeper root growth and providing a larger reservoir for plant roots to access, increasing their resilience to drought. Describe the characteristics of a welldeveloped soil and its role in supporting diverse plant communities and ecosystem functions. A well-developed soil is rich in organic matter, nutrients, and soil biota, with favorable physical and chemical properties for supporting ecosystem functions like water filtration, nutrient cycling, and plant productivity. It supports a diverse array of vegetation, indicating its suitability for plant growth and ecosystem processes. Describe the relationship between soil type and water availability and its significance for sustainable land management, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem health. The relationship between soil type and water availability is crucial for sustainable land management, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem health. Different soil types have varying water retention capacities, affecting plant growth, nutrient availability, and water infiltration rates. Understanding this relationship is essential for optimizing irrigation practices, preventing soil erosion, and promoting healthy ecosystems. How do increased H+ ions in a solution affect its pH and what are the consequences of acidic conditions on chemical reactions and ion behavior in the soil? Increasing H+ ions in a solution decreases its pH, making it more acidic. In acidic conditions, H+ ions compete with other cations for binding sites on soil surfaces, leading to cation displacement. This can result in cation leaching, increased aluminum solubility, and pH-dependent changes in nutrient availability and chemical reactions. Define the chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) with water (H2O) and their formation of nitric acid (HNO3) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and explain their impacts on the environment. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) react with water vapor to form nitric acid (HNO3), contributing to acid rain formation and detrimental effects on soil, water bodies, vegetation, and aquatic ecosystems. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) reacts with atmospheric moisture to produce sulfuric acid (H2SO4), leading to acid deposition, soil acidification, damage to vegetation, infrastructure, and adverse effects on human health. Describe the environmental impacts of nitric acid (HNO3) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) on soil, water bodies, vegetation, and aquatic ecosystems, and explain their formation and sources. Nitric acid contributes to acid rain formation, leading to soil acidification, nutrient leaching, and harm to aquatic organisms. Sulfuric acid, primarily from industrial processes and fossil fuel combustion, results in acid deposition, soil acidification, damage to vegetation, infrastructure, and adverse effects on human health. Both acids are major components of acid rain, fog, and snow, causing widespread environmental harm. Explain the impacts of acidic compounds such as sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3) on the environment, and provide an example of their formation and effects in an industrial region with high air pollution. Acidic compounds like sulfuric acid and nitric acid contribute to acid rain, fog, and snow, leading to soil acidification, damage to vegetation, infrastructure, and adverse effects on human health. In industrial regions with high air pollution, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides interact with atmospheric moisture to form these acidic compounds, which then harm nearby ecosystems, leach nutrients from soils, and acidify aquatic environments. Do changes in pH affect the availability of essential nutrients to plants, and how does pH impact the behavior of other ions and chemical reactions in soils? Changes in pH can significantly impact nutrient availability to plants. In acidic soils, the solubility of certain nutrients like phosphorus may decrease, while the solubility of other nutrients like iron and manganese may increase, potentially leading to toxicity issues for plants. Additionally, pH influences the behavior of other ions and the rates and equilibria of pH-dependent chemical reactions in soils. Describe the environmental impacts of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions, and their role in the formation of acidic compounds and acid rain. How are human activities, atmospheric chemistry, and environmental impacts interconnected in this context? The emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides contribute to environmental degradation by forming acidic compounds, leading to acidification of the environment. This illustrates the interconnectedness between human activities, atmospheric chemistry, and environmental impacts associated with acid rain and its precursors. Do you think adding more calcium to a forest ecosystem can lead to improved soil fertility, alleviation of aluminum toxicity, enhanced nutrient cycling, altered soil pH, and shifts in plant community composition? What are the potential ecological risks associated with this action? Adding calcium to a forest ecosystem can potentially improve soil fertility, alleviate aluminum toxicity, enhance nutrient cycling, alter soil pH, and lead to shifts in plant community composition. However, it also poses potential ecological risks such as nutrient imbalances and disruption of natural ecosystem processes. Define the potential effects of experimentally adding calcium to a forest ecosystem, including its impact on soil fertility, plant growth, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem dynamics. How can careful monitoring and management mitigate potential ecological risks associated with calcium addition? Experimentally adding calcium to a forest ecosystem can affect soil fertility, plant growth, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem dynamics. Careful monitoring and management can mitigate potential ecological risks by avoiding nutrient imbalances and maintaining ecosystem integrity. How might the addition of wollastonite to the Hubbard Brook watershed affect the forest ecosystem, particularly focusing on transpiration responses? What are the potential impacts on calcium availability, transpiration rates, water use efficiency, and forest hydrology? The addition of wollastonite to the Hubbard Brook watershed can increase calcium availability, enhance transpiration rates, improve water use efficiency, and impact forest hydrology by influencing water cycling within the watershed. Describe the role of calcium in forest ecosystems and its influence on soil fertility, plant growth, and nutrient cycling. How does calcium availability affect plant physiology, particularly in terms of root development, cell wall structure, and overall plant health? Calcium is essential for soil fertility, plant growth, and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. It influences plant physiology by promoting root development, cell wall structure, and overall plant health, thereby enhancing soil fertility and ecosystem productivity. Explain the significance of the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in studying ecosystem processes, particularly related to nutrient cycling, hydrology, and forest ecology. What notable experiment was conducted at Hubbard Brook, and how did it focus on the effects of wollastonite addition on forest ecosystems, including transpiration responses? The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest is renowned for studying ecosystem processes, including nutrient cycling, hydrology, and forest ecology. A notable experiment involved adding wollastonite to the entire watershed to examine its effects on forest ecosystems, particularly focusing on transpiration responses and water use efficiency in plants. Describe the potential impacts of altered transpiration patterns on streamflow, groundwater recharge, and water balance in an ecosystem. How might increased calcium availability affect transpiration rates and interact with ecological factors like nutrient cycling, plant growth, and community dynamics? Altered transpiration patterns can affect the timing and magnitude of streamflow, groundwater recharge, and overall water balance in an ecosystem. Increased calcium availability is likely to interact with other ecological factors, influencing transpiration rates, nutrient cycling, plant growth, and community dynamics. These changes may impact plant species composition, biomass allocation, and ecosystem productivity over time. Define the role of the Hubbard Brook whole watershed experiment in understanding the impact of calcium on transpiration and water use efficiency in forest ecosystems. How does this research contribute to our understanding of nutrient cycling processes and sustainable forest management practices? The Hubbard Brook whole watershed experiment involving wollastonite addition provides insights into the role of calcium in regulating transpiration and water use efficiency in forest ecosystems. This research contributes to our understanding of nutrient cycling processes and informs sustainable forest management practices by assessing the ecological consequences of nutrient enrichment on forest hydrology, vegetation dynamics, and ecosystem functioning. How does climate change, particularly rising global temperatures, impact ecosystems? In what ways can higher temperatures disrupt ecosystems and alter species distributions, phenology, and ecological interactions? Rising global temperatures due to climate change can disrupt ecosystems by altering species distributions, phenology, and ecological interactions. Higher temperatures lead to shifts in weather patterns, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and changes in habitat suitability for various species. Describe the effects of freshwater salinization on freshwater ecosystems and aquatic biodiversity. How do elevated salinity levels impact freshwater organisms, food webs, and ecosystem functioning? Freshwater salinization, caused by increased salt concentrations from anthropogenic activities, can negatively impact freshwater organisms, disrupt aquatic food webs, and alter ecosystem functioning. It can also lead to corrosion of infrastructure, contamination of drinking water supplies, and degradation of aquatic habitats. How does ocean acidification occur, and what are its effects on marine organisms and ecosystems? How does reduced carbonate ion availability impact marine organism growth, reproduction, and survival? Ocean acidification is driven by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into seawater, leading to a decrease in seawater pH and changes in carbonate chemistry. It has detrimental effects on marine organisms, particularly those with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, impacting their growth, reproduction, and survival. Do you understand the concept of acid deposition and its effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems? How do sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides contribute to acid deposition, and what are the adverse effects on soils, surface waters, and vegetation? Acid deposition, also known as acid rain, occurs when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emitted from anthropogenic sources react with atmospheric moisture to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. This can acidify soils, surface waters, and vegetation, leading to adverse effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including harm to plant nutrient uptake, root growth, and aquatic organisms. Describe the interdisciplinary approaches required to address the challenges posed by current ecological issues and limiting factors. How can scientific research, policy development, and management strategies be integrated to mitigate the impacts of climate change, freshwater salinization, ocean acidification, and acid deposition on ecosystems and society? Addressing the challenges posed by current ecological issues requires interdisciplinary approaches that integrate scientific research, policy development, and management strategies. This integration is essential to mitigate the impacts of climate change, freshwater salinization, ocean acidification, and acid deposition on ecosystems and society.