Random
This is the internal "clock" that regulates physiological processes over a 24-hour cycle.
Circadian Rhythm
These are the living components of an ecosystem that can affect population size, such as predators or disease
Biotic Factors
This process begins when excess nutrients flow into an aquatic ecosystem.
Eutrophication
Forest fires, floods, and tornadoes are examples of these "short-term" but intense events.
Catastrophic Disturbances
Melting glaciers and increased temperatures are leading to this threat for coastal ecosystems
Sea-Level Rise
When a plant grows toward a light source, it is exhibiting this specific tropism
Phototropism
These are the nonliving components, like sunlight, temperature, and water.
Abiotic Factors
This specific gas is what fish and other aquatic organisms "breathe" from the water
Dissolved Oxygen
This is the process of gradual change from one community of organisms to another over time.
Ecological Succession
This long-term change is caused by the ocean absorbing excess CO2 from the atmosphere.
Ocean Acidification
This state occurs when an organism's physical functions are slowed down or suspended to survive adverse conditions
Dormancy
If habitat destruction occurs, this is what usually happens to the size of a local population.
Decreases
During a nutrient spike, this type of organism grows rapidly on the surface, blocking sunlight
Algae
These are the very first species to grow in an area after a disaster has cleared the land
Pioneer Species
This "large-scale" change affects ecosystems globally by shifting temperature and precipitation patterns.
Climate Change
This type of tropism ensures that roots grow downward into the soil regardless of how a seed is oriented
Geotropism
This is the term for a group of the same species living in a specific area.
Population
Large areas in the ocean where oxygen is too low for life to survive are commonly called these.
Dead zones
Unlike a quick storm, "Sea-level rise" is considered this type of environmental change
Long-term change
Long-term changes are different from catastrophic ones because they often affect an entire ________ rather than just a small area
Community or Ecosystem
When humans take too many fish out of a lake, it is a population-decreasing factor called this.
Over harvesting
When conditions move outside an organism's optimal range, the population will either decrease or do this
Migrate/Move
These two specific nutrients, often found in fertilizer runoff, are the primary causes of eutrophication.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus
What are two main sources of EUTROPHICATION?
Fertilizer and sewage runoff
The central idea of this unit is that as conditions change, organisms must do this in order to survive.
Respond or Adapt