Ecology and Biomes PDF

​ Climate-The average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time. ​ Weather- The short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a local area that include temperature, humidity, clouds, precipitation, and wind speed. ​ Community ecology- The study of interactions among...

​ Climate-The average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time. ​ Weather- The short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a local area that include temperature, humidity, clouds, precipitation, and wind speed. ​ Community ecology- The study of interactions among species. ​ Symbiosis- Two species living in a close and long-term association with one another in an ecosystem. ​ Biosphere- The region of our planet where life resides. ​ Competition- The struggle of individuals, either within or between species, to obtain a shared limiting resource. ​ Competitive exclusion principle-The principle stating that two species competing for the same limiting resource cannot coexist. ​ Resource partitioning-When two species evolve to divide a resource based on differences in their behavior or morphology. ​ Predation- An interaction in which one animal typically kills and consumes another animal. ​ Parasitoid- A specialized type of predator that lays eggs inside other organisms — referred to as its host. ​ Parasitism- An interaction in which one organism lives on or in another organism, referred to as the host. ​ Pathogen- A parasite that causes disease in its host. ​ Herbivory- An interaction in which an animal consumes plants or algae. ​ Mutualism- An interaction between two species that increases the chances of survival or reproduction for both species. ​ Photosynthesis- The process by which plants and algae use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2). ​ Commensalism-An interaction between two species in which one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor helped. ​ Native species- A species that lives in its historical range, typically where it has lived for thousands or millions of years. ​ Exotic species (Alien species)-A species living outside its historical range. Also known as alien species ​ Invasive species-A species that spreads rapidly across large areas and causes harm. ​ Biome-The plants and animals that are found in a particular region of the world. ​ Terrestrial biome- A geographic region of land categorized by a particular combination of average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and distinctive plant growth forms. ​ Aquatic biome- An aquatic region characterized by a particular combination of salinity, depth, and water flow. ​ Habitat-An area where a particular species lives in nature. ​ Tundra- A cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation. ​ Permafrost- An impermeable, permanently frozen layer of soil. ​ Taiga (Boreal forest)- A forest biome made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons. Also known as boreal forest. ​ Temperate rainforest- A coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation. ​ Temperate seasonal forest- A biome with warm summers and cold winters with over 1 m (39 inches) of annual precipitation. ​ Shrubland (Woodland)- A biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Also known as woodland. ​ Temperate grassland (Cold desert)- A biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers. Also known as cold desert. ​ Tropical rainforest- A warm and wet biome found between 20° N and 20°S of the equator, with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation. ​ Savanna (Tropical seasonal forest)- A biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons. Also known as tropical seasonal forest. ​ Hot desert- A biome located at roughly 30° N and 30° S, and characterized by hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation. ​ Freshwater biomes- Categorized as streams and rivers, lakes and ponds, or freshwater wetlands. ​ Littoral zone- The shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and ponds near the shore where most algae and emergent plants such as cattails grow. ​ Limnetic zone- A zone of open water in lakes and ponds as deep as the sunlight can penetrate. ​ Phytoplankton-Floating algae. ​ Profundal zone- A region of water where sunlight does not reach, below the limnetic zone in very deep lakes. ​ Benthic zone- The muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean beneath the limnetic and profundal zones. ​ Oligotrophic- Describes a lake with a low level of phytoplankton due to low amounts of nutrients in the water. ​ Mesotrophic- Describes a lake with a moderate level of fertility. ​ Eutrophic- Describes a lake with a high level of fertility. ​ Freshwater wetland- An aquatic biome that is submerged or saturated by water for at least part of each year, but shallow enough to support emergent vegetation. ​ Estuary- An area along the coast where the fresh water of rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean. ​ Salt marsh- Found along the coast in temperate climates, a marsh containing nonwoody emergent vegetation. ​ Mangrove swamp-A swamp that occurs along tropical and subtropical coasts, and contains salt-tolerant trees with roots submerged in water. ​ Intertidal zone- The narrow band of coastline that exists between the levels of high tide and low tide. ​ Coral reef-Represents Earth’s most diverse marine biome, and are found in warm, shallow waters beyond the shoreline in tropical regions. ​ Coral bleaching-A phenomenon in which algae inside corals die, causing the corals to turn white. ​ Open ocean-Deep-ocean water, located away from the shoreline where sunlight can no longer reach the ocean bottom. ​ Photic zone-The upper layer of ocean water in the ocean that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis. ​ Aphotic zone-The deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis. ​ Chemosynthesis-A process used by some bacteria to generate energy with methane and hydrogen sulfide. ​ Biogeochemical cycle- The movements of matter within and between ecosystems involving cycles of biological, geological, and chemical processes. ​ Reservoirs-The components of the biogeochemical cycle that contain the matter, including air, water, and organisms. ​ Carbon cycle-The movement of carbon around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks. ​ Aerobic respiration-The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. ​ Steady state-When a system’s inputs equal outputs, so that the system is not changing over time. ​ Greenhouse gasses-Gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat near the surface. ​ Global warming-The increase in global temperatures due to humans producing more greenhouse gasses. ​ Limiting nutrient-A nutrient required for the growth of an organism but available in a lower quantity than other nutrients. ​ Nitrogen cycle- The movement of nitrogen around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks. ​ Nitrogen fixation-The process that converts nitrogen gas in the atmosphere (N2) into forms of nitrogen that plants and algae can use. ​ Nitrification-The conversion of ammonia (NH4+) into nitrite (NO2−) and then into nitrat( NO3−). ​ Assimilation-A process by which plants and algae incorporate nitrogen into their tissues. ​ Mineralization (Ammonification)-The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic matter found in dead bodies and waste products and convert these organic compounds back into inorganic compounds, such as inorganic ammonium (NH4+). Also known as ammonification. ​ Denitrification- The conversion of nitrate (NO3−) in a series of steps into the gasses nitrous oxide (N2O) and, eventually, nitrogen gas (N2), which is emitted into the atmosphere. ​ Anaerobic-An environment that lacks oxygen. ​ Aerobic-An environment with abundant oxygen. ​ Leaching-A process in which dissolved molecules are transported through the soil via groundwater. ​ Phosphorus cycle-The movement of phosphorus around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks. ​ Algal bloom-A rapid increase in the algal population of a waterway. ​ Hypoxic-Low in oxygen. ​ Dead zone-When oxygen concentrations become so low that it kills fish and other aquatic animals. ​ Hydrologic cycle-The movement of water around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks. ​ Transpiration-The release of water from leaves into the atmosphere during photosynthesis. ​ Evapotranspiration-The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration. ​ Runoff-Water that moves across the land surface and into streams and rivers. ​ Producers (Autotrophs)- Plants, algae, and some bacteria that use the Sun’s energy to produce usable forms of energy, such as sugars. Also known as autotrophs. ​ Cellular respiration- The process by which cells unlock the energy of chemical compounds. ​ Anaerobic respiration-The process by which cells convert glucose into energy in the absence of oxygen. ​ Primary productivity-The rate of converting solar energy into organic compounds over a period of time. ​ Gross primary productivity (GPP)-The total amount of solar energy that producers in an ecosystem capture via photosynthesis over a given amount of time. ​ Net primary productivity (NPP)-The energy captured by producers in an ecosystem minus the energy producers respire. ​ Biomass-The total mass of all living matter in a specific area. ​ Standing crop-The amount of biomass present in an ecosystem at a particular time. ​ Consumer (Heterotroph)-An organism that is incapable of photosynthesis and must therefore obtain its energy by consuming other organisms. Also known as heterotroph. ​ Herbivore (Primary consumer)-A consumer that eats producers. Also known as primary consumer. ​ Carnivore-A consumer that eats other consumers. ​ Secondary consumer- A carnivore that eats primary consumers. ​ Tertiary consumer-A carnivore that eats secondary consumers. ​ Trophic levels-The successive levels of organisms consuming one another. ​ Food chain-The sequence of consumption from producers through tertiary consumers. ​ Scavenger-An organism that consumes dead animals ​ Detritivore-An organism that specializes in breaking down dead tissues and waste products into smaller particles. ​ Decomposers-Fungi and bacteria that complete the breakdown process by converting organic matter into small elements and molecules that can be recycled back into the ecosystem. ​ Ecological efficiency-The proportion of consumed energy that can be passed from one trophic level to another. ​ The 10% rule-Of the total biomass available at a given trophic level, only about 10 percent can be converted into energy at the next higher trophic level. ​ Trophic pyramid-A representation of the distribution of biomass, numbers, or energy among trophic levels. ​ Food web-A model of how energy and matter move through two or more interconnected food chains.. ​ Which could be a cause of decreased evapotranspiriation- increased precipitation ​ which is an example of a biotic component of an ecosystem?-fungi ​ what is a product of photosynthesis- glucose ​ At which trophic level are eagles that consume fish that consume zooplankton that eat algae- tertiary consumers ​ at which trophic level do organisms use a process that produces oxygen as a waste product-producers ​ which food chain from the serengeti plain is in the correct sequence from lowest to highest trophic level? a) shrubs-gazelles-cheetahs-decomposers b) shrubs-decomposers-cheetahs-gazelles c) gazelles-decomposers-cheetahs-shrubs d) decomposers-cheetahs-shrubs-gazelles--shrubs-gazelles-cheetahs-deco mposer ​ ​ roughly what percentage of incoming solar energy is converted into chemical energy by producers? - 1 ​ the net primary productivity of an ecosystem in 1 kg C/m2/year, and the energy needed by the producers for their own respiration is 1.5 kg C/m2/year. The gross primary productivity of such an ecosystem would be... - 2.5 kg C/m2/year ​ ​ a particular plot of land can produce 700 kg of beef per hectare. Beef sells for $4/kg. if that land is converted to producing corn, which sells for $0.15/kg, approximately how much will the farmer make selling corn? Assume 10 percent ecological efficiency. - $1,000 ​ ​ which statement about the carbon cycle is true? a) carbon transfer from photosynthesis is in a steady state with respiration and death b) the majority of dead biomass is accumulated in sedimentation c) combination of carbon is equivalent in mass to sedimentation d) most of the carbon  entering the oceans is from terrestrial ecosystems- The majority of dead biomass is accumulated in sedimentation. ​ ​ Human interaction with the nitrogen cycle is primarily due to - the fixation of nitrogen for fertilizers. ​ ​ Small inputs of this substance, commonly a limiting factor in aquatic ecosystems, can result in algal blooms and dead zones. - ​ Phosphorus. ​ ​ Which describes a key difference between photosynthesis and aerobic respiration?- Photosynthesis consumes chemical energy whereas aerobic respiration generates chemical energy. ​ ​ why do scientists use dominant plant growth forms to categorize terrestrial biomes? - Similar plant growth forms are found in climates with similar temperatures and amounts of precipitation. ​ ​ which statement about tundras and boreal forests is correct? a) both are characterized by slow plant growth, so there is little accumulation of organic matter b) Tundras are warmer than boreal forests c) boreal forests have shorter growing seasons than tundras d) boreal forests have larger dominant plant growth forms than tundras- Boreal forests have larger dominant plant growth forms than tundras. ​ ​ which statement about temperate biomes is correct? a) similar biomes can be found along lines of longitude b) temperate rainforests receive the most precipitation, whereas cold deserts receive the least precipitation c) temperate rainforests can be found in eastern South America d) taiga biomes are adapted to frequent fires- Similar biomes can be found along lines of longitude. ​ ​ which statement about tropical biomes is correct? a) tropical rainforests have the highest precipitation b) savannas are characterized by the densest forests c) tropical rainforests have the slowest rates of decomposition due to high rainfall d) subtropical deserts have the highest species diversity- Tropical rainforests have the highest precipitation. ​ ​ which statement about aquatic biomes is correct? a) they are characterized by dominant plant growth forms b) they can be categorized by temperature and precipitation c) lakes contain littoral zones intertidal zones d) freshwater wetlands have emergent plants in their deepest areas , whereas ponds and lakes do not- Lakes contain littoral zones and intertidal zones. ​ ​ the limnetic zone is defined as the area of a lake where- phytoplankton are the only photosynthetic organisms ​ ​ which biome provides ecosystem services that include reducing the severity of floods and filtering pollutants from the water? - Freshwater wetlands. ​ ​ In the coniferous forests of Oregon, eight species of woodpeckers coexist. Four species select their nesting sites based on tree diameter, while the fifth species nests only in fir trees that have been dead for at least 10 years. The sixth species also nests in fir trees, but only in live or recently dead trees. The two remaining species nest in pine trees , but each select trees of different sizes this pattern is an example of- resource partitioning ​ ​ Which is an example of commensalism? a) oxpeckers (a type of bird) that live on a rhino and eat parasites of the rhino's back b) cuckoos, which lay their eggs in the nest of another bird species that then raises the cuckoo's young c) cattle egrets eat insects that are disturbed when the cattle forage d) protozoa living inside termites, helping termites to digest wood- oxpeckers (a type of bird) that live on a rhino and eat parasites of the rhino's back ​ ​ When researchers remove rock barnacles, the Poli's stellate barnacles expand their distribution downward into the intertidal zone. However, when researchers remove Poli's stellate barnacles, the rock barnacles do not expand their distribution upward. Which is the best interpretation of this result? a) rock barnacles reside in the deeper water due to competition from Poli's stellate barnacles b) Poli's stellate barnacles reside in the shallower water due to competition from rock barnacles c) Poli's stellate barnacles reside in shallower water to avoid desiccation d) rock barnacles reside in deeper water to avoid deep-water predators- Poli's stellate barnacles reside in the shallower water due to competition from rock barnacles. ​ ​ European starlings are birds that are native to England. In the continental United States, they displace native birds such as woodpeckers and chickadees from using nest sites. They are much more aggressive in seeking and finding nesting sites than native species. As a result, their numbers have grown exponentially. ​ Which of the following identifies the author's main claim? a) European starlings are native to the United States b) European starlings are competitors of native species in the United States c) Woodpeckers are an invasive species in the United States d) Native species outcompete the invasive starlings in the United States- European starlings are competitors of native species in the United States. ​ ​ European starlings are birds that are native to England. In the continental United States, they displace native birds such as woodpeckers and chickadees from using nest sites. They are much more aggressive in seeking and finding nesting sites than native species. As a result, their numbers have grown exponentially. Which of the following is evidence of the author's main claim? a) woodpeckers and chickadees compete for nesting sites with each other b) European starlings are native to England c) European starling populations have grown exponentially in the United States d) Starlings are not as aggressive in competition for nests-European starling populations have grown exponentially in the United States. ​ What is the process by which cells convert glucose into energy in the absence of oxygen- Anaerobic Respiration ​ Which of the following is a consumer that is incapable of photosynthesis?-Heterotroph ​ What do we call a carnivore that eats primary consumers?-Secondary consumer ​ What is the process called that releases water from leaves into the atmosphere during photosynthesis?- Transpiration ​ What do we call the amount of biomass present in an ecosystem at a particular time?-Standing crop ​ What is the term for the process by which dissolved molecules are transported through the soil via groundwater?-Leaching ​ What is the primary role of the carbon cycle?-To move carbon among reservoirs ​ What is the term for the deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight?-Aphotic zone ​ What is the final product of denitrification?- Nitrogen gas ​ Which organisms are known to consume dead organic matter?-Detritivores ​ Which of the following best describes ecological efficiency?-The proportion of energy passed between trophic levels ​ What is the primary role of detritivores in an ecosystem?-Breaking down dead tissues and waste ​ What term describes a lake with a high level of fertility?-Eutrophic ​ What is the tundra biome characterized by?- Cold temperatures and low vegetation ​ What type of forest biome is primarily made up of coniferous evergreen trees?-Taiga ​ Which biome is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters?- Shrubland ​ Which zone in a lake is known for being the shallow area near the shore?- Littoral zone ​ What is community ecology?-The study of interactions among species ​ Which biome is characterized by cold, harsh winters and hot, dry summers?-Temperate grassland ​ What is a pathogen?-A parasite that causes disease ​ Which type of freshwater wetland is submerged or saturated by water for part of the year?- Freshwater wetland ​ What is the main result of aerobic respiration?-Conversion of glucose and oxygen into energy ​ What is the process of converting nitrogen gas into forms usable by plants called?-Nitrogen fixation ​ What is the term for the movements of matter within and between ecosystems?-Biogeochemical cycle ​ What process do some bacteria use to generate energy from methane and hydrogen sulfide?-Chemosynthesis ​ What type of biome is characterized by a warm and wet environment with little seasonal temperature variation?-Tropical rainforest ​ Which zone in a lake is known for being the open water area where sunlight penetrates?-Limnetic zone ​ What is the main feature of a savanna?-Distinct wet and dry seasons ​ What does the term 'oligotrophic' refer to in relation to lakes?- Low nutrient levels ​ Which type of freshwater biome is characterized by streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds?-Freshwater biomes ​ What is the profundal zone in a lake?-The region where sunlight does not reach ​ ​ ​ ADVERTISEMENT ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​